160 skiers all in a row...

This is the scene at the start line of a cross country ski meet. It takes many volunteers to put the whole thing together, including someone to groom and mark the trail, timers, herders, etc. Skiers left the gate in 15 second intervals. And unlike other sports where every nuance of the competition is met with gasps and applause from the spectators, skiers are only cheered the first 30 seconds of their 10 K, and then for the last minute and then they are done. No one is there to encourage them when they crash on a hill or to warn them when they are about to be passed by someone. They are tough competitors.