The ski mountaineers celebrated their Olympic debut in heavy snowfall in Bormio. While Tatjana Paller, Germany’s hope for a medal, qualified for the semi-finals with second place in her heat, Helena Euringer was eliminated in fifth place in her heat.
Finn Hösch was the only German athlete to start among the men. However, the 23-year-old was also eliminated early after finishing fourth in his heat. He was almost four seconds short of making direct progress.
Ski mountaineering has its origins in ski touring. The athletes run up a slope with their skis. To prevent slipping backwards, skins are stretched at the bottom of the ski surfaces.
For a short stretch you also have to climb stairs; on this section the skis are removed. Once at the top, the skins on the skis are removed and a short descent continues down.