CROSS COUNTRY SKIING: Liam Burton and Lilly Boland have wasted no time getting acquainted with the course they will look to tame at the Lillehammer 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games.

The duo, accompanied by coach Alasdair Tutt, got a chance to put on the skis and get their first training session in on the famous Norwegian slopes that have been home to many of the sport’s greatest ever products.

The course is undoubtedly one of the toughest in the world and the Aussie youngsters are excited by the challenge that awaits.

“The course is quite tough and looks really exciting,” said Jindabyne based Burton. "It will be fast when the snow starts to freeze a little bit and the conditions get colder.

“Lillehammer is one of the toughest courses to race on the World Cup circuit so it will be pretty fun to race on the same course as the pros do.”

The pair have recently competed overseas for the first time in Austria and Switzerland and will be aiming to get as much out of the next fortnight as possible.

“I’m looking to get experience and get the chance to see how the other teams work,” said Ulladulla’s Boland.

“To be here in Norway is amazing and the course is world class.”

The cross country cross will be the duo’s first event on Saturday and is one of a number of innovative events that Lillehammer 2016 will showcase. The event is similar to the sprint competition but with added technical elements like jumps and tight turns.

They will also feature in both the sprint and free events (10km for men and 5km for women).

Matt Bartolo
Olympics.com.au