Skiing originated in the Scandinavian countries in the Middle Ages. Even in the records of the year 1700, ski racing after the betting is described. This was probably the first competition.
Officially, the history of skiing began in the military department of Norway. Skiing was encouraged by ski recruits. Hans Emahusen in 1733 published the first instruction for the ski training forces, with a sports bias. There were also the first rules of skiing competitions, which were held in 1767 for different types that meet today's slalom, biathlon, racing and downhill. The best athletes were awarded. To promote skiing among the country's civilians, a military-sports review was held in Oslo in 1814.
The rich history of skiing, starting in Norway, has developed rapidly in all major world countries. After the organization of the first Norwegian skiing sports society in 1877, similar sports clubs arose throughout the world over the course of 20 years. Finland took the first experience, in 1883 - Hungary, in 1891 - Austria and Switzerland, in 1803 - Germany and Italy, in 1895 - Sweden and Russia, in 1900 - the USA and Bulgaria, in 1902 England - in 1912 - Japan.
Arctic researchers made a huge contribution to skiing: Adolf Nordenskjöld in 1883–1884, Fridtjof Nansen during a ski trip through Greenland in 1889, Roald Amundsen in 1910–11, in an expedition to the South Pole, the participants of which passed more than 2800 km skiing. In the late XIX - early XX centuries. competitions began to be regularly held in all major countries of the world. However, the direction of species development in different countries was different. In Norway, jumping, cross-country racing and biathlon developed. In Finland, cross-country skiing has developed. Mountain views are popular in alpine countries. In the United States, Scandinavian immigrants influenced the specialization of sports development. The ski area, under the influence of coaches from Austria, received skiing in Japan.
The history of skiing received a new impetus after the international ski congress with the participation of 10 countries in 1910, in the city of Oslo. The International Ski Commission, established here, reorganized in 1924 into the International Ski Federation (FIS), began to actively conduct world ski competitions, including all types. The first Winter Olympic Games were held in 1924, the World Championship in 1926, and the Universiade in 1928.
The development of skiing in Russia
The Russian history of skiing began at the end of the 19th century. Domestic athletes for a long time were inferior to foreign ones, because development was slow, ski exercises were more entertaining in nature. The first competitions took place on February 13, 1894 in St. Petersburg. The Moscow Club of Skiers (MKL) appeared in 1894 and totaled only 36 members in the first year. Ski adherents propagated their hobby in Moscow and other cities, attracting new active participants to their ranks. Club "Polar Star" in St. Petersburg was their next achievement.
Due to the high cost of sports equipment, entry to the masses in ski clubs was unavailable. Despite the creation of new ski clubs in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Ryazan, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Smolensk, Tula and other cities, at the beginning of the 20th century. skiing could not be widely used in Russia. Only after the creation in 1910 of the Moscow League of Skiers (MLL), which united immediately 10 clubs, and soon the founding of the All-Russian Union of Skiers, the number of competitions increased, and it became possible to coordinate the country's ski movement.
At present, the situation with skiing in Russia is radically different. It can be safely attributed to mass sports, especially with regard to skiing. Our athletes take an active part in all world competitions and compete for gold medals along with the leaders.
Characteristics of skiing
Skiing includes skiing, cross-country skiing at various lengths, biathlon (race and jumping), ski jumping. Conventionally, types of skiing competitions can be divided into northern types, alpine types, freestyle and snowboarding.
Nordic species consist of cross-country skiing, ski jumping, orienteering, Nordic combined or Nordic combination. Alpine views are all that make up skiing: slalom, giant slalom, downhill, super giant slalom, skiing combination. Freestyle is the descent from the slope using elements of acrobatic jumping and ballet skiing. Snowboard is a descent on one special board.
There are also such types of skiing as biathlon, skitour, ski tourism, orienteering, skiing, ski mountaineering. Skiing is unusually diverse and rich in various types. Anyone can choose a suitable direction for themselves, satisfying their needs and skills. In addition, it is a sport that enhances health and brings a lot of pleasure.