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It’s sort of like Alpine skiing, except the athletes start the race by climbing to the top of the mountain under their own power.

Mantia and roughly 20 other skaters will race at the same time, in one of the most exciting long-track events.

In the event, four skiers burst out of the start house at the same time and race down the course all at once.

In the final week of the Beijing Games, a host of stars are competing in anticipated events.

Jakara Anthony won the women’s moguls event in freestyle skiing, while Jaclyn Narracott leads going into the women’s skeleton final.

Nils van der Poel of Sweden has won every distance race he entered this year.

The German team consisted of gold medalists in men’s, women’s and doubles luge.

Athletes compete in cross-country skiing, which requires endurance, and ski jumping, the daredevil event that rewards courage.

Athletes compete in cross-country skiing, which requires endurance, and ski jumping, the daredevil event that rewards courage.