Breath heater?

Dear SkiPost what are those things that I see World cup skiers sucking on extra cold days, looks like a harmonica. Do they warm the air? How?"  

 

Those small white things you see sticking out of the mouths of Euro skiers during their warms up in really cold days are called a Lungplus Sport  unit.  These skiers use these to effectively warm up the lungs so they can breathe easily and perform significantly better when the air is cold.  Lungplus works as a small humidity and heat exchanger device that converts cold incoming air into warmer more humid air.  Lungplus helps when you have a cold, throat pain, dry cough, for asthma and more.  In the US you can find it at  lungplususa

 

    

 

Rollerski Technique-2

This message is to DM on classic Rollerskiing from a reader. " I decided to take a break from running a couple of years ago. i am 58 and decided that running once a week was not worth the effort especially after i discovered classic Roller Skiing. I spent a fair bit of time just on technique. I may regret it once the snow falls but the fun i have on those things now is an entirely new world. finding long up hills are so much fun. and the ability to go nice and easy instead of skating "nice and easy". No knee issues and it is obviously similar to and easy run without the aftershock. the full body workout and the low HR for me has been a wonderful discovery. I am also very new to classic skiing so i may notice the snow transition. I am sure that my kick will certainly have to be worked on but I have spent time training the neurological muscular firing and should be in much better physical shape to hit the snow. it has also helped a bit with my knee issues by skating and classic roller skiing. Unless classic Roller Skiing completely blows my technique i will continue having volumes of fun classic Rollerskiing in the off season."

Hello,

Having turned 60 as well as having recently undergone arthroscopic knee surgery to repair meniscus damage, I am accepting the possibility that more of my skiing will shift from skating to classic. I have several pair of skate roller skis that I know will work fine for double poll training but I have never had a pair of classic roller skis. I recall years ago hearing warnings that the fixed ratchet of classic roller skis could foster poor technique because weight transfer wasn't really necessary. I believe that there was also concern that the shorter length of roller skis could contribute to poor form for on-snow classic skiing. Is that still the consensus and, if so, are there ways to avoid these potential pitfalls?

Thank for your reply,

DM

As you've been told, classic rollerskis are a great training tool, provided you use good technique. In essence, the ratchets are filling in for kick wax: They stop the skis from moving backwards, providing a platform from which you can drive yourself forward. With ratcheted wheels, you always have great kick -- a 2011 study by Mats Ainegren measured static friction coefficients on rollerskis up to five times more than what you encounter with classic skis on snow. Additionally, with rollerskis, you can get great "grip" regardless of how and when you apply the kick. With that in mind, paying close attention to your technique is important.

2013 U.S. SkI Team - Lake Placid Team Sprint

If you're going through the trouble of rollerskiing in the summer and fall, I have to assume you have some goals associated with skiing in the winter. If you are ratcheting the skis -- sliding your feet up the road without a distinct kick phase -- you're using a technique that won't translate to skiing on snow. Additionally, training without this strong kick for several months a year won't develop muscular strength and timing.

To me, having a good foundation in classic skiing on snow is important before starting to rollerski -- i.e., you already have an idea of how to kick off of grip wax. Skiers who shuffle up hills, abusing the perfect kick they have, often are gaining forward movement by pulling with their hamstrings, vs. driving themselves forwards using their glutes, quads and calves. A quick, strong kick will result in a triple extension of the hip, knee and ankle joint. One cue that we use is that the kick ends with the leg being straight, as it would be if you performed a broad jump. 

It's important, though, that this cue is understood as a symptom of doing something correct (kicking powerfully), rather than a starting point (pulling a straight leg, using the hamstrings). Visualizing compressing into the kick and setting your wax on snow can be helpful, even if you're on rollerskis. One drill I often use is to work between ski walking/bounding and rollerskiing, as you can focus on developing a good kick on the ground, and then try to carry this motion over to comparatively unstable rollerskis. Another drill is to work with one rollerski on -- kicking off the pavement and driving onto the rollerski.

Because of the length of skis vs. rollerskis, a common issue is how the skis land as you drive onto them. Popping a wheelie on a BMX bike is cool, but with rollerskis, not so much. If your weight is back, you'll usually land on the back wheels first. This same problem comes up with skiers who are tense -- they need to relax their ankles so that the front wheels land first. If you have problems with the first situation, getting the hips high and forward -- not sitting back -- will correct the problem. For the second, frequent reminders to relax the shin muscles (as well as some horror stories about compartment syndrome) can help.

If, after reading these tips, you're still convinced that classic rollerskiing will destroy your on-snow technique, here are two other ideas:

* Simply double-pole. You can get a really good workout in without striding, and so long as you're also biking, running, hiking and/or bounding, you probably won't be insanely behind the eight-ball come snow.

(That said, if you have big goals involving classic skiing in the winter, you can't ignore technique for seven months a year.)

* Find some help. There are a lot of coaches in the US, plenty of training groups, and many, many good skiers who are willing to help you dial in what you're doing. Get some video of yourself, some more drills to work on and some one-on-one analysis. It may cost you a little bit of money, but if it helps you get more enjoyment out of skiing, it should be worth it.

Thanks,

Jason Cork

US Ski Team

Cross Country assistant coach

Watch classic technique at 2013 U.S. Ski Team - Rollerski Classic Lake Placid Team Sprint  Video here  

CXC UPCOMING EVENTS

This year a $50,000 matching challenge has been laid down. If junior athletes raise $15,000 then donors will match with $50,000.

Salomon Nordic

Salomon S LAB Skate Pro

Events and Destinations 

2014 American Birkebeiner Registration Officially Closed

The ABSF Welcomes 10,000 Skiers to the 2014 Birkie and Korte!

  HAYWARD, Wisconsin (Oct. 9, 2013) Registration for the 2014 Swix American Birkebeiner officially closed October 8, 2013, at 2:00 pm (CST) as the Birkebeiner 50/54K and Kortelopet 23K events reached a combined total of 10,000 skiers and an historic new race cap. Another first, this is again the earliest in the 41-year history of the American Birkebeiner that registration for the Birkie and Korte has closed.

"We are excited to welcome all these participants, their families, and friends to the 2014 event. It is shaping up to be a fantastic year! Let the training begin!" said Ben Popp, Executive Director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation.

Each year the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation has allowed more skiers to participate and done this at a rate that allows the ABSF to assure a great experience for all involved.

The first year registration closed earlier than January was the 2012 Birkie, when registration closed on November 21. This was the first year the ABSF set and reached a predetermined cap. Then, registration for the 2013 Birkebeiner closed on October 15. This year, even with registration opening in June rather than in April as it typically does--because of the transition to all-online registration--it still closed in just over four months.

More skiers means more volunteers, bananas, oranges, the list goes on. The American Birkebeiner, like other events in the international Worldloppet series of ski marathons, is a citizen race. It's all about creating a very special experience for skiers of all ages and abilities, from the elite to the 10th waves. 

"The ABSF welcomes all those returning skiers and many skiers that we know are new to the Birkie and to the sport of cross country skiing!" added Popp.   

12K Skiers Still Welcome to Register

The Prince Haakon 12K, which also takes place on February 22, is a great entry-level event for skiers who want to be part of the Birkie party at the start line but are looking for a more recreational distance. There are still slots open for this event. giving new skiers a chance to sign up even once the ski season gets underway. Click Here for details.

Help for Those Who Did Not Get Into the Birkie or Korte.

Once registration for the American Birkebeiner and Kortelopte races closed on October 8, our Birkie "Skiers for Cures" charitable partner, JDRF, opened up sign-up for 50 "Second Chance" entries. You simply fundraise a minimum of $500 for JDRF and you get one of these entries that you can use for either the Birkie or the Korte. The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation started making this fundraising-for-entries opportunity available when we supported Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as our charitable partner, and now as we work with JDRF, which researches treatments and a cure for type 1 and type 2 diabetes. To Sign up for one of these 50 spots, go directly to www.jdrf.org/birkie.

Make your skiing count for even more this year!
Click Here for complete details on How To
SKI FOR A CURE   

Or ... Volunteer!

Come experience the Birkie events as a volunteer. "Birkie Fever" takes many forms. There are lots of positions and ways to help, inside and outside, for a couple of hours or a couple of days-there are many options. Contact the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation office at 715-634-5025 or email birkie@birkie.com.

Webskis

WebSkis (WebCyclery.com), located in Bend, OR,  is looking for a knowledgeable and customer-oriented nordic ski-tech/salesman. Applicants will need to have a working knowledge of nordic ski flexing, waxing, boot fitting, wax testing procedures, etc. Bicycle knowledge, while not required, is beneficial. Applicant must be organized and work well with others. Position is full-time 32-40 hrs per week, will require working on many Saturdays, and could be year round employment for the right person. Flexible schedule offers the chance to ski on a daily basis (Bend has great skiing 6-8 months out of the year). WebSkis focuses on providing avid skiers and racers with excellent customer service and quality hand picked ski equipment and waxes.

Send resumes to kevin@webcyclery.com

Alaska Jumping/Nordic Combined Coach Opening

Looking for Jumping/Nordic Combined ski coach in Anchorage at the Karl Eid Jumps.

Come coach our rapidly growing program in Anchorage. This is a paid part-time position with

some great benefits!

email:  nsaa@alaska.net 

call: ( 907) 242-2633

 International Level Wax Tech/Coach wanted

Looking for an experienced wax tech (international experience preferred) for the Dominica National XC Ski Team (2 athletes). The team will be based in Canmore, Canada in Oct-Dec before heading to Europe/Sochi in mid Jan for the Olympics. The time/travel commitment is flexible and can be mutually agreed upon with further discussion. The ideal candidate will have experience and be involved in world class ski service, team logistics, and assisting the head coach.  There is the option to continue with the team for the balance of 2014 and into 2015. Additional experience on the coaching side would be valuable.

Team Soldier Hollow Seeks Devo Coach

Summit Nordic Ski Club  

The Summit Nordic Ski Club (Summit County, Colorado) is fielding letters of interest and resumes for a part time J2-OJ coach for the 2013-14 competition season.

Reply to: Dan McCrerey, SNSC President: danom@comcast.net

Alaska High School Coaching openings

Cross-Country Ski Coaches Needed for Palmer and Wasilla High Schools in the Mat-Su Valley, Alaska.

Head and Assistant Coaches are needed for the high schools this year. These are paid positions.
  Please contact: 
Palmer High: reese.everett@matsuk12.us, 907-746-8400
Wasilla High: amy.spargo@matsuk12.us, 907-352-8213 

    The Vail Nordic Center, located in beautiful, Vail, Co.  is looking for full and part-time help for this winter, 2013/14 season.  The ideal candidate will have retail experience and a  good knowledge of Nordic skiing.  Teaching experience in classic and skate skiing is a huge plus.  Please contact Mia at info@vailnordiccenter.com for all inquiries.  

Job Position:Nordic Skiing Head Coach, Amherst Regional High School, MA

Amherst Regional High School is looking for a new head coach for their Nordic Ski Program. 

To inquire about the position please contact Nat Woodruff, Current Nordic Head Coach, at 617-939-4317

woodruffn@arps.org To apply for the position please contact Rich Ferro, ARHS Athletic Director, at 413-362-1747 ferror@arps.org

XC/Nordic coach at Clarkson University 

(Div. III/USCSA)

The position offers free tuition, healthcare and stipend.  Perfect for someone looking to work on a graduate degree.  The NCAA link is below.http://ncaamarket.ncaa.org/jobs/5335767/assistant-coach

Questions? Email head coach Jim Allott at Jallott@clarkson.edu ,

Many thanks,

Jim Allott Head Coach