Skimo Makes Olympic Debut: Meet Team USA's Athletes and Rules of the Sport

The Winter Olympics in Milan will feature skimo, short for ski mountaineering, marking its first appearance in Olympic history. Skimo combines uphill climbing and downhill skiing, with athletes transitioning between specialized equipment throughout the course. Team USA will be represented by Cam Smith and Anna Gibson, who have both trained rigorously for this dynamic and physically demanding sport. Gibson, who only began competing in skimo seven months ago, has quickly risen to Olympic-level status, while Smith has a longer history in the sport. With races featuring intense competition and strategic transitions, skimo promises to be an exciting addition to the Olympic lineup.

Key Details: • Skimo includes men's and women's sprints and a mixed relay at the Olympics. • Races last about three minutes, combining one ascent and one descent. • Athletes must switch equipment quickly, with penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct. • Gibson and Smith are the only American competitors in skimo at the Games.