SkiPost
Volume 13 Issue 35: Dec 20, 2012
SkiPost Felix
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    Wearing a Hat?

 

Would you please respond to the issue of wearing hats to help maintain core temp and thus not jeopardize performance. Our middle school & high school girls are into looking good with brightly colored headbands that leave much of their hair & head exposed to the elements.  Today at the JNQ Sprint races in Wausau we had pouring rain (it could have just as likely been heavy wet snow) coming down that was totally saturating their head/hair as well as their race suits. While coaches are concerned with the wax on their athlete's skis, it does not seem like they are as concerned with lessened performance due to inappropriate dress. I am not talking about sunny 30+ race days. I was always taught that if core temp was maintained or even increased - the extremities (legs/arms and the muscles in those legs and arms) would perform at a higher level than if the body was chilled and the blood was being shunted to the core. Is this old school thinking? I believe if an expert responds to this, I have a better chance of being listened to when I tell them to put a hat on!

Worried Coach

 

Yes, the human body performs best when its core temp remains around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). Too cold (or too hot) and performance quickly drops. We lose heat through conduction, convection, radiation and evaporation. We constantly release heat in the form of radiation. Conduction occurs when our bodies give away heat to that other object that we are in contact with that has a lower temp, like snow or air particles.  Convection occurs when we transfer het to air particle through motion i.e. "wind chill" Finally, when as we sweat, ( or get wet)  we transfer heat through evaporation, as water on our skin transforms into a gas. Since our bodies naturally give away heat to colder, active particles, air particles in wind, and water particles (snow and rain) can accelerate that effect.

 

To combat rapid cooling, we shiver to generating heat by exciting our muscles. In the cold many parts of the body blood vessels in our skin tissue constrict, or tighten up to keep blood away from the cold outer layer of the body and helps circulate warmer blood to our core areas. But this tightening is not good for peak performance and racing.

 

Why a hat? Because areas around the head, neck, chest and groin don't constrict as effectively as the smaller ones near the skin and thus more even more susceptible to heat loss. Furthermore water is denser than air, so it absorbs more heat (up to 32 times more) than air. So when you are skiing in rain or snow you can get hypothermia quicker if the rain or snow is falling on your uncovered head and neck.

 

That's why Nordic racing attire includes a hat and often neck gaiter.

 

When your core temperature down to 95 degrees or below it is called hypothermia. When your re-warming reactions are not enough to overcome the cooling process, hypothermia can set in and skiing performance will decrease quickly.  Mild Hypothermia includes shivering, goose bumps, difficulty with complex motor skills Moderate Hypothermia includes violent shivering, sluggish, speech problems, difficulty with fine motor skills. Severe Hypothermia includes rigid muscles, dazed, shivering has stopped, blue skin, erratic heart beat.

 

So dress properly, starting with your first layers and finishing with a hat and neck gator (and glasses) to keep you muscles warm and relaxed to race better.

  

Kalla Hat   

 Superstar Charlotte Kalla wearing a Hat and still looking fine.

 

Image Salomon / Nordic Focus

 

 Andy at SkiPost

 

Ankle and Ab Poling

from the PSIA Nordic Team corner

 

Strong, dynamic V2 and double poling at any speed depends on the right body movements at the right time. To synch the two (body movements and timing) during double pole and V2, synch the ankles and the abs when you flex and extend.

You probably know that when you pole you should compress with the abs. And you might know that when you pole, you also compress the glide ski leg by flexing the ankle and knee.

Here's the teaching point: compress the ankles and abs simultaneously when you pole, either double poling or when you V2. It does two things. First, it drives the hips forward when the hands move past the hips. Second, it creates a stronger poling synergy with the upper body and the lower body.

If you compress the ankles and abs simultaneously, you also must extend the ankles and abs simultaneously. Cordinating high hands with tall legs, gets you over the ski and ready for dynamic poling. When you pole, compress the ankle and the abs simultaneously for greater power, driving the hips forward and loading the poles.


heikkinen

Heikkinen using the entire body

 Salomon/NordicFocus image


First try synching ab and ankle flexion and exstension double poling, I call this "A" "A" poling - poling with abs and ankles together.

After mastering the "A" "A" timing during the double pole, move the timing to the V2 technique. Make sure to practice at slow speeds and then increase the tempo to make sure you own the timing at all speeds.

AA poling is nothing new, only a coaching point for you or your athletes to tune into when skiing. Sometimes the hardest task is coordinating the upper body with the lower body. If this timing ever should elude you, try this drill.

 

David Lawrence
PSIA Nordic Team 

Coaching Resources continued

 

In response to  looking for coaching resources  

 

we would also add PSIA - the Professional Ski Instructors of Americafor all kinds of resources for ski instructors, from publications to on-snow clinics with top-notch instructors.  www.thesnowpros.org/

 

and  the tremendous resources that Central Cross Country (CXC) has put together.

 

www.cxcskiing.org/

http://cxcstore.myshopify.com/collections/dvds

www.cxcacademy.com

 

TV Coverage continued

Where can I watch Ski Racing live?

a viewer states

 

"World Cup Biathlon seems to be way ahead of FIS.  I watched today's WC race live on my big screen TV...Apple Mirror...off my live feed from Biathlon World.  Plus live splits and shooting on my ipad..For most other action I go to  frombar.tv/
and log onto the EuroSport coverage."


I myself watch all the action from EuroSport via www.frombar.tv/ 

Also the entire SkiClassic Series of the biggest Marathons Races is broadcast live check out swixskiclassics.com/ 
 

SNS Options- continued

 

Last week we answered a question regarding SNS boot options we have one addition this week.

 

In the U.S. you have 4 choices for Salomon Nordic System (SNS) boots: Salomon, Atomic and One Way are sold throughout the U.S Nordic belt and you can also get the Austrian  Hartjesand brand of boots thought one importer/retailer linked here. In Europe you could also get SNS boots from many other brands including Botas and Technopro.

Christmas List

 

What great Nordic product should husband for Christmas?

 

Here is my Christmas wish list from our SkiPost partners.

 

Salomon S-Lab SoftGound Skate Ski "Like Skiing Over Butter "  

 

VBT Cross Country Ski Vacations "Ski, Eat & Travel well in Austria & Italy" 

 

Bliz Pro Flip "No fogging, No frozen eyes, No eye strain, No budget worries"

 

Bliz Pursuit & Pace:  Glasses that become Goggles " So they stay in place and do not fog"

  Pursuit XT Templed Strapped

 

 

Start RF Kick Waxes "4 waxes do it all"

 

  Start RF

Start Blue SG6 Glider "10F -20F makes it our Universal Training Glider"  

 

sg6  

Start SD3 Pole "The Durable World Cup Pole from individual strands of Black Ops Carbon Fiber"

 

One-Way Cata Jacket   

 

cata  

 

NNF Calendar "Inspiration from US athletes and a listing of key races"  

 

start

Race Day Waxing Suggestions

 

The race season has begun.

 

This weekends wax suggestions

 

Intermountain JOQ Opener Lake Creek, Ketchum, ID

Far West JOQ's Auburn Ski Club, Soda Springs, CA

Besh Cups, Anchorage AK

SmartWool Wasatch Citizens Series #1 Park City UT

Skinny Santa Solstice Ski, Elk River, MN

Holiday Relays Troll Hollow, Dresser, WI

 Lakes of the North Winterstart, Gaylord, MI

 All wax recs can be viewed at Start US Blog and on Facebook

Like us on Facebook

email Start@endurance-enterprises.com with any questions.
 

start start
Team News
nnf word

 

 

NNF  announces $41,700 in Nordic Combined funding.

This summer, the NNF Nordic Combined allocated $36,500 toward 5 training camps to Europe, and paid for 1/4th of the total cost of the trips.  The winter season of competitions are now upon us.  The NNF Nordic Combined will contribute $41,700 toward the Continental Cup trips and the World Junior Championships this winter which are the stepping stones to the World Cups, Olympics and beyond.  These contributions represents about 1/3 of the trip costs and without this support, many athletes could not afford to participate.
Thank you for your continued interest & support of Nordic Sports.
Together, we are making a difference! more details here

  

 J1 Trip Update 

 

Due to the short time between selection of the J1 Team to Norway and departure and in order to be fair to alternates in giving them time to get tickets we ask that ALL QUALIFIERS BE READY TO COMMIT TO THE TRIP IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE NAMING CEREMONY AT US NATIONALS. TRIP COST NOT INCLUDING AIRFARE IS $1800. Positions on the trip will be given to the first alternates if initial qualifiers do not commit at that time. 

Pete Phillips NNF J1 Trip Coordinator 

email gamlegamlgamlefisken@gmail.com with questions

NNF Nordic Calendars 
$20.00 order here.
nnf calendar cover
 
Training Programs and Camps 
Women's Ski Weekend
Izaak Walton Inn in Essex, Mt
details at these links
 
Do you have a program you wish to promote? 
email weanswer@SkiPost.com and we will share.
Nordic Job Openings

Nordic Job Opening? email weanswer@SkiPost.com to post

Great Glen Trails now hiring for part / full time ski instructor. 

Must be willing to work with skiers of all ages and be friendly with the public. 

 

Hiring for Thursday - Sunday starting Christmas Vacation. 

Training and huge industry perks included. 

Call Nate: 603-466-2333  nate@greatglentrails.com

 

 

About SkiPost

 

Cross-Country skiing's community lodge. Where knowledge and stories are shared. The goal of SkiPost is to make the sport of Cross-Country skiing easier and more enjoyable for all who choose to participate. If you have questions on Cross-Country Skiing email us weanswer@SkiPost.com and visit SkiPost.com

 

Enjoy Winter,

Andrew Gerlach
Director/Editor- SkiPost

 

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In This Issue
Wear at Hat
Ankle and Ab Poling
Christmas
NNF funds $41,700 in NC
J1 trip Update
NNF Caledars
Where's the Snow? 
Follow Snowfinder on Facebook to follow the groomed trails. 
Like me on Facebook 
 
fashion
Salomon Nordic on the Marathon Cup
Bliz Active Logo
Get Active
Marit
I wear ProFlip because they are active just like me. They go up, they go down. They ride off my face to resist fogging and they protect my eyes in every direction so I ski relaxed.
Pursuit XT to goggle
I wear Bliz because they are as active as I am.  They change from glasses to goggles, from clear, to smoke, to high contrast lens ...depending on my needs 

BLIZ LOGO  

BLIZ  Dealers

Get Active 

 

For more BLIZ USA info 

bliz@endurance-enterprises.com 

406-585-2660

find the time
The one gift you receive at birth is time.  You'll never have more  than you have today.  Find the Time.
Visit Sun Valley Nordic

VBT ski tours
Cross Country Ski Vacations
BD
Bjorn Daehlie
west Yellowstone
Ski West Yellowstone

concept 2 ski erg
SkiErg

start kick waxes

Start Gliders Explanation

nnf word
Support Tomorrow's Nordic Stars Today 
NNF Dec 12
NNF 2013 Calendar Now Available 
to order visit
Portable Ski Bench
$300.00
only 4 Available

terry bench ready to wax
 
It simply costs too much to build. There are only 4 available at $300 each plus shipping. The price covers just the  cost of materials.  ski@olesxc.com to order.
Thanks Gene.
  

Event Guide

Jan 12
Jan 12-13
Jan 26
Feb 2
Jan 3- Feb 2
Feb 2
Feb 9
March 2
March 9

Ski Area House Rentals

Big Sky's Best Kept Secret
7 km of Own Private Nordic Trails
and custom home.
7 km hilly loop

Where's the Snow? 
Follow Snowfinder on Facebook to follow the groomed trails. 
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