Telemark Skiing

Telemark skiing is a discipline defined by the telemark turn — a lunging, free-heel technique in which the inside ski is dropped back, allowing the heel to lift off the ski. FIS Telemark racing competitions combine giant-slalom-style gates with a jump and a short skating section (the 'reipeløkke'), and are penalised for missed telemark position. Events include Classic, Sprint Classic, Parallel Sprint and the Team Parallel Sprint. It is one of FIS's six biennial World Championship disciplines.

Selection is based on FIS Telemark points, national championship results and finishes on the FIS Telemark World Cup. Athletes must show consistent telemark form (deducted heavily by judges when broken), competence in the jump-and-skate sections and, of course, race pace. Standard FIS licence, medical and anti-doping requirements apply. Nations typically also weigh potential in a discipline with a smaller global talent pool.

Telemark skiing takes its name from the Telemark region of Norway, where Sondre Norheim popularised the free-heel turn in the mid-19th century. The technique was foundational to modern skiing before fixed-heel alpine bindings became dominant. Competitive telemark racing was formalised under FIS in 1995, with the first World Championships held that year. Notable athletes include Bård Njåstad, Philippe Lau of France (57 World Cup wins), and — among women — Amélie Reymond, one of the most decorated telemark racers of all time.