How does the ski mountaineering mixed relay work?
I · Intermediate · Races and categories · 2 of 6In the relay four athletes of one gender race one leg each; in the mixed relay a woman and a man each race the loop twice, taking turns. Each leg has two climbs and two descents, with a foot section on the second climb, taking the best 7 to 11 minutes. Handovers are a touch inside a marked box.
How it works
- Relay: four athletes, same gender and nation, one leg each.
- Mixed relay: one woman and one man, two legs each.
- Loop: 120 to 170 m of climb; first climb at least 60 m.
- Mixed relay qualification: each athlete races one lap alone; times added.
- Final: the best 12 teams, one per nation.
- Handover: a hand touch on body or backpack, not poles, skis inside the box.
- Overlapped teams: stopped at the next transition area.
- Same team: cannot change from qualification to final.
The glossary has the relay race, the mixed relay, the handover area, the overlapped, the transition area and the Olympic events.
Tricky cases
A handover is made with a pole. Allowed?
No. It must be a hand on the body or backpack; a wrong handover costs 1 minute.
The same athlete races two legs of the relay. Penalty?
Disqualification.
Can a youth athlete race both a senior and a youth relay?
No. At World and Continental Championships, one relay only.
Who starts the mixed relay final?
The Event Jury picks woman-first or man-first and says so the day before.
Why the rule exists
Relays give fast, close racing for teams. The touch inside a box makes each handover easy to judge.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Relay | Four athletes, one leg each | 20.2, 24.1 |
| Mixed relay | Two athletes, two legs each | 20.2, 24.1 |
| More than 24 teams | Optional final B | 26.1.1.2 |
From the rule book
ISMF, Rules & Guidelines, version 2026-2027, rules 20.2, 24.1, 24.2.1.3, 26.1.1.2, 26.3 and 27.2 E. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the ISMF Rules & Guidelines 2026-2027.