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Performance determinants in Ski mountaineering sprint: data from the pre-2026 Olympic test event
Justin Mottet1,2, Forrest Schorderet1, Antoine Raberin1
1Institute of Sport Sciences (ISSUL), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
|July 9, 2026
Summary
Ski mountaineering sprint performance is primarily determined by uphill and transition sections, requiring high aerobic capacity and efficient lactate removal. Elite athletes excel in transitions, showcasing the importance of technique alongside physiology.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Winter Sports Analytics
Background:
- Ski mountaineering (SkiMo) sprint is a new Olympic discipline demanding high physical and technical capabilities.
- Understanding performance determinants is crucial for athlete training and development in this emerging sport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate performance determinants in SkiMo sprint at the Milan-Cortina Olympic Test Event.
- To analyze overall sprint time, section-specific contributions, and physiological correlates.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed sprint times (SPT) and seven section splits of 36 qualified athletes in quarterfinal rounds.
- Course sections included uphill (U), transition (T), and downhill segments.
- Subgroup of 9 elite male sprinters underwent laboratory testing for aerobic power and lactate kinetics.
Main Results:
- Time on uphill ski and foot sections (UT) explained 81.5% of SPT variability, strongly correlating with overall performance (r=0.89).
- The first uphill section (U1) showed the highest correlation with SPT (r=0.91).
- Elite athletes demonstrated a greater contribution of transition time (T) to sprint variability compared to lower-ranked athletes.
Conclusions:
- SkiMo sprint performance is linked to high aerobic capacity, strong early-race section execution (U1, T1), and efficient lactate removal.
- Transition performance is critical, especially for elite athletes, highlighting the interplay of physiology and technique.
- Maximal oxygen uptake and lactate removal capacity are key physiological predictors of uphill/foot section performance.
