March 15, 2013

It's nearly "that time" of year - National Championships - the big show for Canadian cross country skiers and the last of the important races in the season.  It's also one of the few times at that all of the top Canadian athletes will be racing on home soil against each other.  The CVTC athletes are looking forward to the challenge because they're well prepared and also because it will be on their home turf of Whistler Olympic Park.

If you're looking to volunteer or spectate, get more information on the event (March 23-30) at www.skinationals.com. 

Until then - enjoy the skiing but don't forget your sunscreen!

Happy Trails!

Western Canadian Championships (Grand Prairie, AB)
The Western Canadian Championships were the second mini-tour of the season for the CVTC athletes and they rose to the challenge.  Despite the northern climate, altitude and temperatures, the athletes claimed eight medals: 3 gold, 1 silver and 4 bronze, resulting in the most successful series this season for the CVTC.

Detailed reports and results links can be found here:
Day 1 - Sprints
Day 2 - Individual Classic
Day 3 - Distance Skate

Coast Cup (Mt. Washington, BC)
The final Coast Cup of the season in Mt. Washington was an enjoyable taste of spring for the team and a fantastic final tune-up for Ski Nationals.  The team skied hard and claimed every medal that was available to them.  Aside from the racing they had some super crust skiing and enjoyed touring the trails and meadows around Mt. Washington as part of some great ski play.

Full report and results here.

Once the ski season wraps up (this year the last days for skiing at Whistler Olympic Park are April 6 & 7) the transition to summer sports will begin for cross country skiers across the country.  Physiotherapists, massage therapists and chiropractors love this time of year because the fantastically fit, yet unconditioned, skiers tend to fall victim to injury and spend some of their prize money getting fixed at their clinics.

The high level of fitness that cross-country skiers maintain throughout the winter is not matched by their body's ability to suffer through long runs on pavement before the cycling and rollerskiing conditions are amenable.  As a consequence, many injuries ensue, including shin splints and other muscle conditioning injuries.

The best way to avoid these injuries is to mix in a bit of "cross-training" and enjoy the off-season to it's fullest.  Many skiers take up ski touring or head south to sun destinations where paddling, swimming, and cycling can be mixed in with running mileage to gradually prepare the body for the summer training loads.

Moderation is key to enjoying spring so take the opportunity to try something new as you gradually build up the hours in the summer sports.

- By Graham Maclean
Waxing for classic skiing is rarely simple in the sea-to-sky corridor but it gets even more gnarly with the heat of spring sun hits the snow.  "Hairies" or "rub" skis do not perform to their full potential on glazed, icy tracks and the dread-wax Klister becomes the tool of choice.  Putting klister on the skis (or taking it off) will never be a pleasant experience, but here are some tips for making it a bit more bearable.

How do I prepare my skis?
It is always best to start with a freshly cleaned ski: no remnants of old grip wax.  Then abrade the grip zone of your ski wiht 100-grit sandpaper and select a suitable base klister and 'working' klister.

What should I use to apply the Klister?
Although the klister package may indicate otherwise, the base of the hand or thumb are your tools of choice for spreading klister.  The klister should be warm for this method, so best done in a warm room or use a heat gun or torch to soften the klister if you're out in the cold.
Apply your base klister first, then apply your working klister.  It is best to let the ski 'rest' a bit between layers so they don't mix together.  Try to keep the klister out of the groove and off the sidewalls (thin layers!).

Can I ski on my skis right away?
It is best to let the klister cool for a few minutes before you ski on it.  To do this, put your skis in the shade or next to the snow to harden the klister.

Can I just leave the Klister on all summer?  If not... what is the best way to get it off my skis but not all over my house?
The klister fairy does not exist, so if you leave the wax on all summer you'll still need to clean it off come winter.  The best way to remove klister is to use a metal putty knife to scrape off the bulk of the grip wax.  Follow this up with wax remover and a scrubby pad to knock loose the remaining wax.  Finally, wipe the entire mess off the ski with a shop towel.
To finish up, glide wax, scrape, brush, re-sand the grip zone and you're ready for your next expedition.

March 23-30, 2013: Ski Nationals (Whistler Olympic Park)

Racing for the team ends on March 30 and the athletes get some rest and relaxation time in April before the new team is named on May 1.

Results can be found at www.zone4.ca and event reports at www.cvtc.ca.

NDC-Callaghan Valley (CVTC) is a high performance training center working within the framework of Cross Country Canada. Our mission is to produce successful skiers at the World Cup level.

 

It is the objective of the CVTC to provide a concentration of world-class training facilities, coaching and sport science resources for cross-country ski athletes. As part of its mandate, the training centre provides in reach and outreach programs to support the development of selected athletes and coaches through mentoring, clinics, workshops, and training camps.

 

For more information on NDC-CVTC, please visit www.cvtc.ca or email [email protected]

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