| January 19,
2006 Vol. 6/ No.23 |
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Dear Ski Post,
Thanks for a great newsletter!
After learning "all" about glide-waxing my next
goal is to learn as much as possible about how to ski with
optimal technique to gain as much glide as possible. What
technique, for this purpose, do pro-skiers use in terms
of weight balance, pole-stroke, etc?
Best regards
Hello!
Thanks for sending in your questions about
skating technique to SkiPost!
Adjusting your skating technique to terrain
is pretty important when out skiing on the trails. Developing
what works for you just is a matter of experimenting and
finding what works for your style of skiing.
I'll touch on the three main techniques: V1,
V2, and V2 alternate.
V1 is your hill climbing technique. Hills,
hills, and more hills. Try to avoid V1 on the flats, and
use your V2 or V2 alternate technique. When you are skiing
fast on the flats, V1 is very inefficient. But, on the hills,
it is lethal!
V2 is your flat-terrain and slight-incline
technique. V2 requires twice the energy of V2 alternate,
as you are poling on each glide, as opposed to every-other
glide. I have found that V2 works best on the flats when
I want to "power along" and as the terrain goes
from flat to the slight incline it can separate you from
the pack. When I run out of gas, begin to notice a decline
in my tempo, and loose speed I change over to V1.
V2 Alternate is primarily a flat terrain technique
or used on slight down hills. Like I said above, it requires
half the energy. Use it to keep up good speed, and to catch
your breath. If you are skiing for a long time (2+ hours),
or a long race (30+ km), it's a great technique to develop
and work on. Save your arms!
Hopefully this offers some insight into which
techniques work best. You will have to decide how you will
adapt it to your skiing style - everyone is different. Enjoy,
and Happy Holidays.
ROB WHITNEY
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| Three
Subaru Factory Team Athletes Named to 2006 US Olympic Team.
  
Abby Larson, Lars Flora, and Rebecca Dussault
Bozeman, MT (January 17) - Subaru
Factory Team
standouts Rebecca Dussault (Gunnison, CO), Lars Flora (Anchorage,
AK), and Abby Larson (Bozeman, MT), were named to represent
the U.S. at the 2006 Winter Olympics hosted by Torino, Italy.
The group will compete from February 12th through the 26th
at the cross-country ski venue located in the mountain-town
of Pragelato.
The group, including 10 men and 7 women, was named following
US National Championship races earlier this month at Soldier
Hollow - the 2002 Olympic venue for all cross-country events.
Over the course of the 5-race championship series, this trio
of Subaru Factory Team athletes racked up 3 medals (including
one overall victory), as well as an impressive 9 top-5 finishes
amongst all Americans attending.
Each of these athletes has prior World Cup experience, however
the Olympic Games will be a new notch on Dussault's and Larson's
belts. Flora also represented America at the Salt Lake City
Olympics in 2002. In December, all three of these skiers were
selected to represent the U.S.A. at World Cup competitions
held in Canada.
The US-contingent of skiers travels to Europe within the
next week to begin final preparations before the opening ceremonies.
Each of these three athletes will have the opportunity to
race in one last World Cup, in Davos, Switzerland, just before
the Olympic Games commence.
Joining our Subaru Factory Team representatives on the 2006
US Olympic Ski Team are:
Men:
Lars
Flora (Anchorage, AK); Subaru Factory Team
Kris Freeman (Andover, NH); US Ski Team
Carl Swenson (Park City, UT); US Ski Team
Andrew Johnson (Greensboro, VT); US Ski Team
Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, VT); US Ski Team
Torin Koos (Leavenworth, WA); US Ski Team
Chris Cook (Rhinelander, WI); Team Atomic
James Southam (Anchorage, AK); Team Rossignol
Justin Freeman (Andover, NH); Salomon/Fischer
Leif Zimmerman (Bozeman, MT); Bridger Ski Foundation
Women:
Rebecca
Dussault (Gunnison, CO); Subaru Factory Team
Abby
Larson (Bozeman, MT); Subaru Factory Team
Kikkan Randall (Anchorage, AK); APUNSC
Wendy Wagner (Park City, UT); Team Atomic
Sarah Konrad (Laramie, WY); Alpina/Madshus
Lindsay Williams (Hastings, MN); Northern Michigan University
Lindsay Weier (Mahtomedi, MN); Northern Michigan University
Commenting on the team, US Nordic Director Luke Bodensteiner
said, "This is a strong team, even stronger than we had
four years ago. Those who were rookies in Salt Lake have developed
into real performers now, and our first-timers in 2006 are
poised for some very noteworthy results themselves, which
we can continue to build from."
"We had a great group of Americans who did not make
the team, but who poured their guts out in their effort to
earn a spot. They really pushed each other over the last 12
months and by doing so, raised the level of all our skiers."
*In addition to the three skiers representing the United
States, Subaru Factory Team member Ivan Babikov is currently
competing for an Olympic berth in Russia. At the time of this
release, he is definitely a potential candidate. Last week,
after competing in 4 races at US Nationals (and winning 3),
he boarded a plane and flew across some 10 time-zones back
to Russia. Within two days of returning home, he finished
4th place in the Russian National Championship 50km freestyle
race.
The Subaru Factory Team, America's premier cross-country
ski team, is comprised of 13 champion athletes, including
three 2006 Olympians and four national champions. Winners
of the American Ski Marathon Series 12 years in a row, our
mission is to use the exposure that our unparalleled racing
success brings to show America's snowbound populace how cross-country
skiing can maximize their enjoyment of winter. We accomplish
this by being the source of cross-country skiing imagery,
information, inspiration, education, motivation, tools, and
support for cross-country racers, touring devotees, and fitness
enthusiasts.
Without skis, snow is something you shovel. With skis, snow
is something you glide on. Wouldn't you rather glide than
shovel? Enjoy winter with the Subaru Factory Team Visit www.enjoywinter.com
, sign up for SkiPost and let the Subaru Factory Team help
you glide through winter, while rewarding you with free Subaru
Factory team gear.
For more information on the Subaru Factory Team contact Andrew
Gerlach, 406-585-2660 endure@endurance-enterprises.com .
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Andy,
Don't know how you guys do it, but you always seem to have
weekly content that seems to apply almost directly to me,
and I look forward to each issue....thanks!!
Your 01/12/2006 SkiPost is no exception. I also need to get
over my skis more and will soon be trying your suggestions.
Re Andy's cold weather waxing tips, we just had a 40k skate
"race" (*$%#!^) in Fort Kent last weekend where
the temps probably averaged 5F, and my skis definitely felt
slow even though I thought I had done a good job waxing for
the cold weather. In fact, I was just talking to Greg R and
John F about that two days ago. So again, SkiPost is putting
out super relevant info for me! Thanks for the good work.
Three follow-up questions though Andy's waxing article. For
a non wax-tech, non elite-racer type person...
1. What is a reasonable/practical way to determine if the
wax iron is at about the right temp to do its job for the
wax of the day without worrying about overheating the bases
(do you watch for any smoke at all? do you watch to see how
long (2", 15", ?") a darker more liquid area
of wax lasts on the ski as you are steadily moving the iron
from tip to tail? should you be able to feel any warmth at
all on the top surface of the ski near the tip and tail where
the ski is thinner immediately after waxing ? etc.)
2. How do you tell if you have burnt the bases and maybe need
to grind the skis?
3. How much pressure (what is "gentle" pressure)
should be applied with a sharp plastic scraper, and when should
"medium/heavy" pressure be used (and how do you
gauge that - is only white wax coming off or are you getting
a bit of grayish/blackish shavings and are these more likely
just "well heated" wax or base material?)? Same
pressure questions for brass or copper brushes?
Thanks again, keep up the good work, and good luck with the
rest of your season!
We are glad that SkiPost serves you well.
1) The simple way to make sure that the iron is at the proper
temp is to have a Swix wax iron and use Swix wax. If you have
a Swix wax iron and use Swix wax you can just use the Heat(temp)
levels on the irons and the heat(temp) levels on the Swix
wax - from there you are set.
Remember: the iron should not smoke.
As far as Molten wax goes-You when using CH10 you should see
a 10 cm molten tail behind the iron with CH 8 you should see
a 8 CM molten tail ... with CH3 you will see a 3 cm molten
tail. If your molten areas are longer then this then you risk
overheating.
But keep the base saturated with Ch10 and Ch8 and keep the
iron moving tip to tail and tip to tail again...
2) If you look at a bare base and see variation in color,
dark black and fuzzy gray, it is likely that the fuzzy gray
areas are sealed/overheated. If one part of the base is louder
than another when scraping, the loader area has likely been
overheated. If the scraper moves easily over one part and
not easily over another than the not easy area has likely
been overheated.
3) Always use light pressure, and by light I mean just enough
to remove wax and not move the base.The job of the plastic
scraper is just to remove the excess wax so the delicate brushes
can remove the rest.
You can never tell what the scraper is removing, if it is
dark it could be dirt, pinesap, Black Devil (Swix HFBD) ingredients,
or base hairs.
If you have been skiing in dirty snow (all snow is dirtier
than you think) you should use ch10 with a hot scrape the
skis clean.
It is better to use many passes rather than excess pressure
in scrapers or brushes.
When you begin to understand what you are trying to accomplish
with each step in the process these minute decisions will
be easy to make.
Andy at SkiPost
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SWIX
Turbo FC1
The Universal Turbo sintered Cera F Solid. +2°C to -30°C
(36°F to -22°F). New and old snow. Very wide range,
from slightly wet to very cold conditions. The composition
of FC1S is a mix of FC8 + FC7 Powder with the BD Additive
that gives the broad range. Turbo 1 is a good choice for
younger racers as well as Master Racers that do not have
much experience with Cera F powders and waxes. Turbo 1 can
be ironed into the base, but make sure that enough is applied
to completely cover the base.
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CLICK
HERE for more wax recommendations for the coming
weekend.
Great Nordeen Nordic Ski Race - Bend, OR
Event Date: Jan. 21, 2006
By: Patrick Weaver
On Friday they are calling for heavy snow. It looks like
it will stop Friday night and cool off a bit. Low of 18 F.
Sat they are calling for a high of 34-41. The race starts
at 10Am and will take anywhere from 1 hour to 2+ The trail
is mostly in the woods so I think the snow will stay cold.
There is a chance of snow as well. 20%
Structure: Medium
Wax:
1 Layer CH8 - scrape and brush
1 Layer LF7- scrape and brush
1 Layer of HF7- scrape and brush
Final Layer: FC7
If you have a back up pair of skis. I would do the same thing
although I would use fine structure. I would also mix HF 6
and HF 7 before putting on the FC 7.
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| Events/Clinics/Announcements |
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Great Nordeen Nordic Ski Race
- Bend, OR
Event Date: Jan. 21, 2006-
The Nordeen is quickly gaining the reputation as the fastest
ski marathon in the West, descending 1500 feet in elevation
from start to finish. Race organizers shortened the 2005 Nordeen
to a 30km event where Justin Wadsworth won the men's race
in a scorching 57 minutes. Suzanne King took the overall women's
victory by skiing the course in just 1 hour and 6 minutes.
Average times for the 2005 racecourse were 1 hr 25 minutes.
The manageable terrain makes the Nordeen a great race for
first time racers and recreational skiers according to MBSEF
Nordic Program Director, Ben Husaby. Husaby also notes that
Moon Country Snowmobile Club and Mt. Bachelor plays a large
part in the success of the event by meticulously preparing
the once-a-year course.
The 2005 race attracted 350 participants and organizers are
expecting over 400 skiers in 2006. Top competitors receive
$1,000 in cash prizes and over $1,500 will be awarded in raffle
prizes. Awards will go to age class winners and will be presented
at the event banquet, which is scheduled for the evening of
January 21st.
Entry fees are $55 from December 24th to January 6th. After
January 7th the price increases to $65. No day of race registration
is available. Entry forms can be accessed at www.mbsef.org
or sign up online: www.signmeupsports.com
Paper entries are available at the Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center,
Sunnyside Sports, Webcyclery or Bend Bike 'N Sport. Bib pick
up is from noon to 6pm at Bend Bike 'N Sport, 345 SW Century
Drive.
The Great Nordeen is a fundraising event for the MBSEF Nordic
department to support race-training programs and keep program
costs down for MBSEF Juniors and Youth skiers.
Direct your e-mails to:
nordic@mbsef.org
and phone calls to Ben Husaby (541) 388-0002.
_______________________________________________________
Lone Mountain
Ranch
Women's Camps Winter 2005 - 2006
Do you want to improve your downhill control
on all trails? Do you want to progress to the next level in
your skiing? Are you interested in participating in a positive
and supportive learning environment that will boost your confidence?
Are you interested in camaraderie with women who share similar
interests? If so, then join us for our Women's Camp, in the
spectacular setting of Lone Mountain Ranch and Yellowstone
National Park.
http://www.lmranch.com/lmr_content/winter/xc/womenscamp.htm
_______________________________________________________
Tamarack Academy
Thursday Feb 9 - Sunday Feb 12
3 days @ $150/day
This all-inclusive price covers lodging, instruction,
meals, and trail passes.
Attendees will enjoy five on-snow sessions (expect 8-12 hours
on snow!) alongside
Subaru Factory Team/XCAcademy.com staff, with extensive technical
analysis and
advice.
We will cover both classic and skate technique, drills, and
training. In the classroom,
we will discuss such topics as ski preparation and maintenance,
training for skiing,
and we'll have a lecture by one of our guest coaches (topic
TBD). We'll also have
Salomon skis and boots available to demo throughout the weekend.
This camp is an opportunity for skiers to train alongside,
and learn from some of
North America's premier athletes and instructors. What better
way to enjoy winter
than with the Subaru Factory Team and XCAcademy.com staff,
all at one of the
nation's newest and most remarkable ski resorts: Tamarack,
Idaho.
For more information or to receive a complete academy schedule,
please e-mail Tim Weston at timweston1@yahoo.com
_______________________________________________________
2nd Annual Elk Mountain Engadine
Cross Country Ski Race
Montrose, CO-Make sure to attend the 2nd Annual Engadine
Cross Country Ski race February 25, 2006. The race will be
a 5k race around our property. Registration fee is $40 and
it includes admission to the buffet after the race, plus 2
drinks. For those not participating in the race, Buffet is
$40 and includes 2 drinks and children under 12 are $20 and
it includes two drinks.
For more information please email Elk
Mountain Resort or visit www.elkmountainresort.com
_______________________________________________________
The Canadian Ski Marathon
The 40th Canadian Ski Marathon will take place on February
11 and 12, 2006. This annual event is North America’s
longest cross-country ski tour, it is not a race. The event
is held on an expertly groomed double-tracked trail which
is open only one weekend a year to over 2000 ski enthusiasts
who participate in the spirit of fitness, friendship and fun.
The trail spans 160 km of pristine Quebec countryside between
Ottawa, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec and it is divided into
ten sections by checkpoints providing the skiers with food,
drinks, waxing services, first aid and a shuttle bus service.
Skiers can ski as little as 15 km up to the full 160 km.
The event is a personal challenge where each skier sets their
own pace and they are rewarded according to the distance they
ski not how fast they ski. For the hard core skiers there
is the option of skiing the full 160 km and sleeping out over
night under the stars with the support of a hay bale, water
and a fire to get them through the night. These skiers, known
as Coureurs des Bois Gold, need to be self-sufficient and
ski carrying their food, bedding and warm clothing on their
backs.
The event organizes transportation from Ottawa, Toronto and
Montreal and it can reserve accommodation for skiers in Montebello,
the halfway point, at a group dormitory or the famous luxury
hotel, Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello.
New for the 2006 Canadian Ski Marathon is a Family Fun Day
geared to have more kids experience the spirit of the event.
On Saturday February 11, a 2 km ski trail will be set-up on
the grounds of the Chateau Montebello for the kids and then
they will be able to step inside the hotel for lunch and a
swim in the pool.
Since its inception in 1967, the Canadian Ski Marathon has
been a winter tradition for many people looking to enjoy the
outdoors on skis with their friends and family and together
Challenge Canada’s Winter. In 2006, make the Canadian
Ski Marathon a tradition to call your own!
For more information or to register online visit the Canadian
Ski Marathon website at www.csm-mcs.com
or call toll free 1-877-770-6556
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Make sure to get rewarded!
Why not let your passion for fun get you free Subaru Factory
Team merchandise? The Subaru Factory Team's enjoy winter-rewards
program is designed to thank you for purchasing our Subaru Factory
Team partner's products.
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For more information on
Subaru's technically advanced all-wheel drive vehicles check
out www.subaru.com
"Think.
Feel. Drive."
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Copyright 2006 SkiPost.com
All rights reserved.
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