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Ask us, We Answer
Do you have a Nordic training, technique, equipment, travel, or event question?
Just email us at weanswer@skipost.com |
Why do skiers collapse at finish line?
I know you have wondered this. This Slate article gives some answers.
At the conclusion of the men's cross-country skiathlon in Sochi on Sunday, the competitors immediately collapsed in exhaustion. This always happens in cross-country skiing-the athletes invariably fall in a heap, looking like they couldn't possibly move another inch. An NBC video titled "Finish Line Carnage" captures the phenomenon:..
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White Marks on Bases?
I skied 42k classic race today in firm tracks. Skis were white 8" before & 8" behind kick zone. WM
Dear WM,
You ride a classic skis flat over a longer time than a skate ski so the glide zones will magnify any issues even more than skate skis will. Classic skis often have shorter higher pressure glide zones just ahead and just behind (especially behind) the kick zones which again magnifies any issues. These higher pressure zones with long flat contact times can cause a ski to "get white" if you have a sealed base, or even if you had excess wax in the base and did not brush enough.
If you did not brush your skis out enough with cold hard wax the white may be excess waxed pushed out of the base during the ski. If you brush it slightly and the white disappears it was likely due to excess wax remaining in the base. Next time on cold days brush inside and then after a warm up in the cold snow brush again to remove any wax that was pushed out during the contraction of the bases when it got cold.
If the white remains after a slight brushing then it is likely base damage. If the base is in fresh open condition you would see little whitening, but if the base is sealed slightly or more your bases will dry out quickly especially in cold fresh snow.
I suggest you get some base work done on your skis. Either a complete stone-grinding to bring up fresh base material. Or get a coarse steel brush and brush the heck out of the base, then fibertex coarse... What you want to do is remove the very outermost base material to expose fresh base material. Then start with a soft wax like Start SG2 and soak the base then SG4 and then proceed to colder harder waxes....
Andy at SkiPost/Start
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Why Bliz?
is answered in "This Bliz"
a must view and share video
we dare you to be able to get the song out of your head.
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Yes Bliz will be at the American Birkebeiner Expo Get your Bliz there. |
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Lung Plus
Will help you breath easier in the cold.
Yesterday I skied in colder temps for 2+ hours. Normally I would be coughing and wheezing both yesterday and today (the day after). I wore the lungs plus the entire time during my ski and I believe it has made a difference. A week ago when the temps were at zero with a brutal facial wind. Another gentlemen was ahead of me and was not able to breathe and stopped skiing to catch his breath. I was able to ski right through. I have bronchial asthma and thought cold skiing days was something I needed to avoid. I feel the lungs plus allows me to enjoy one of my favorite sports
Steve Verboomen
Lungplus has made a big difference in my ability as a skier with asthma. The warm air delays the onset of any breathing problems much longer than trying to choke through the cold. It also just helps keep my body feeling better for longer, and even helps keep the rest of my body warm. It's really easy to get used to as well.
Joe Rauzi,
The lungplususa is amazing! It is allowing me to XC ski this winter especially with the very cold air! I have asthma and use my inhaler when XC sking but that is not enough. The lungplususa makes my lungs happy and let's me be outside without consequences. It is easy to use and does not restrict air
flow! I love it!
Janine Boldra- Wisconsin
Complete article an video here.
 
lungplususa.com
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Kick wax over Grip Tape.
Can you add kick wax over Grip Tape?
Yes you can add kick wax over Grip tape.
If it is really cold and you want more kick add a colder Terva, thin.
If it is really warm and wet and you want more kick at a warm RF.
If the grip tape is dirty it will lose kick you may wish to clean it or start fresh.
Grip tape's main attribute is its versatility and vast temperature range. For long races like the Birkebeiner when you are out there for huge temperature changes grip tape is something to consider.
Andy at Start
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Birkie Wax & Wax Service
Start will be at the Birkie Expo with a complete selection of Start Wax & Poles for sale. Our (the) fastest Birkie wax suggestions and also Waxing Service.
 
Due to popular demand Start will be offering its own Birkie Race Wax service. Just visit the START WAX booth at the BIRKIE EXPO to drop off your skis. Drop off between Thursday at 9am - Friday at 3pm. Pick up 5 - 8 pm on Friday.
Visit Start Race Service Web Page Here to reserve your spot.
email us Start@endurance-enterprises.com for more details.
$85 for HF & Pure Fluor Powder Service
$65 for HF Service
$45 for LF Service
$20 for Kick Zone Binder
Get winning Birkie wax job, again.
Last year the America Birkebeiner was won
and swept 1,2,3 on Start SFR 75.
One of my favorite race performances of 2013 was put in by Betsy Youngman, the 1989 champion now 53 years of age, who finished 15th. Only skiers in their 20's and 30's finished ahead of her. Betsy stated, "My skis were absolutely fantastic on the course. It was amazing how much fun I had on the rolling hills. Thanks for helping me to select the soft ground Salomon's as my race skis and for arranging for the Start wax job"
Get your Birkie Wax Service here
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Race Wax Suggestions
follow this link
For added support from Start Wax you can
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Important Updates for Birkie 2104
SATURDAY - FEB. 22:
AT THE START
. NEW! 100 Parking Spots Available at Race Start!
Have you always wanted to park near the Birkie Start? Now you can make a donation and park right at Telemark! Your minimum donation of $100 will go toward a future permanent start area for the Birkie, which we estimate will cost upwards of $400,000.00. There are only 100 passes, so sign up now before they are gone!
Click Here for Details.
. Giant Hospitality Tent at Bus Drop-Off
Because Telemark Lodge is closed, we are supplying all the pre-race coffee, hot chocolate, and room to chill before you head to the start area, at our big, heated Hospitality Tent right at the bus drop-off area at Telemark.
MOVED TO DOWNTOWN HAYWARD ...
Saturday Night Awards Ceremony - Celebration Tent
Everyone is welcome! Don't miss this post-race gathering that starts with a slide show of Birkie race day and Birkie Week at 6:30, then the overall awards, starting at 7:00. Craft beer on tap will be served along with red and white wine and munchies, pop, etc., provided by the Cabin Stop of Hayward. AND ... BIG DOOR PRIZES, including pairs of skis from SALOMON, ALPINA, and MADSHUS so far, a CONCEPT2 SkiErg ... with more prizes on the way! Must be present to win!
Birkie Podium Presentations - Tent City / Finish Line
See the Birkie Champions up close and personal at the new podium location, next to Peoples Bank Midwest, Tent City, near the finish line in downtown Hayward.Time: Approx. 12:00 noon.
Korte Champions Also Take the Podium at Birkie Finish
Kortelopet champions will also now be recognized on the main Birkie Podium in downtown Hayward. Help us celebrate these skiers immediately following the Birkie Champion presentations. See above.
Press Conference w/ Champions - Celebration Tent
Hear what it's like to ski in that lead pack, all the way from Cable to Hayward, in just over two hours (sometimes less!) at the Birkie Press Conference, right in the Celebration Tent! Time: Approx. 12:30 pm.
RACE DETAILS
New Bibs
All American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, and Prince Haakon skiers will get new racing-style bibs this year. Produced by Hidden Bay Graphics. See photo!
No Timing Wire at Start
For details, see this great article on SkinnySki.com.
The Birkie Supports Clean Athletes
Top 20/Random Birkie Skate skiers across the finish line at this year's American Birkebeiner on February 22 will be tested by USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency).
SUNDAY - FEB. 23:
EVENTS AT "OO" TRAILHEAD
"Fast and Female" for Girls Ages 9 - 19
11:00 am - 1:00 pm: For GIRLS ages 9-18 - an afternoon of athletic inspiration and activities with Caitlin Gregg, 2010 Winter Olympian and two-time Birkie Champion. This special girls-only event will be held at the same time and location as the Birkie On-Snow Ski Demo, below. Click Here for Details.
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Birkie Demo
At the Birkie "OO" Trailhead - 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Sunday
SEE POSTER BELOW!!
The American Birkebeiner's Sunday On-Snow Ski Demo on February 23, the day after the big race, will celebrate its second year at the Birkie "OO" trailhead. Everyone from newbie skiers to elites can try out the latest in new equipment--skis, poles, boots, bindings, and this year bikes, too. These are products that are brand new, many to be released for the 2014-2015 season.
The move to Sunday and the Birkie "OO" trailhead is a big plus for many skiers. Sunday, after the big Birkie races on Saturday, is a relaxed time. You don't have to worry about "saving your legs" and you will likely have a much clearer sense of what you want from your equipment after skiing your event on Saturday. For many, a final ski on Sunday at "OO" is already part of their Birkie tradition.
What's New this Year
This year we will have a tent just for trying on boots. There will also be food for sale, music, etc. Last year drew a great crowd so the Birkie is making things even better this year. And, of course, this year you can also try out bikes from Trek.
All of the major ski and ski equipment manufacturers will be there as well as Trek Bicycle:
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Pull out your packing lists: What to bring for the perfect
Backcountry Yellowstone Tour.
Planning and packing is a subject of major concern for our guests at Lone Mountain Ranch. Hours can be spent at your local outdoor gear store, chatting with employees about what gear is essential for your upcoming Yellowstone ski or snowshoe tour. Undoubtedly, having the proper gear and clothing is an important consideration for any winter outing, but I've found over the years that most of our guests put too much time and energy into what gear should be on their packing lists.
It's not what you carry along with you that makes for a rewarding Yellowstone backcountry experience. It's not the latest stretch-woven, waterproof breathable, welded laminate fabrics. It's not the advanced titanium framed, carbon wrapped, astronaut tested, collapsible ski poles. Truth is, it is what you leave behind that can be the most valuable item on your packing lists - leave behind your expectations.
Many of our guests bring conflated ideas of what a winter ski or snowshoe tour in Yellowstone will offer. Some guests seek animal encounters, a chance to look eye-to-eye with an elk or bison. Others long to see an eruption of Old Faithful, primed by a lifetime of glowing references to the venerable Yellowstone feature. Many are motivated to climb to the top of an escarpment and gaze down at a boiling cauldron of water, mud and noxious gases.
These are not unrealistic expectations for a Yellowstone backcountry tour, and many of our outings will encounter all of the above in short order. Often though, the truly memorable moments are too ephemeral to capture through the lens of your iPhone. I strive to have my guests appreciate the unexpected treasures of winter travel in such a dynamic and remote landscape. Listening to the otherworldly "whump" as thousands of tons of snowpack gently settles underfoot as our group glides safely above. Watching a perfectly formed snowflake melt atop your gloved hand. Standing next to an iniquitous pool of water and feeling at your core the rumble of unseen forces deep below. Entering an open snowfield and hearing nothing but the rhythmic sound of your heart beating and your breath flowing.
An open mind, full of potential, will properly equip you for a Yellowstone experience that will quite possibly exceed your expectations!
by: Drew McCarthy photos by
Outlaw Partners
Drew is one of Lone Mountain Ranch's Nordic instructors, as well as a backcountry ski guide in Yellowstone. He spends his summers at Camp Denali in Alaska where he has been a guide for 7 years.
check out more reasons to visit Lone Mountain Ranch.
perhaps before or after the Rendezvous
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Yellowstone Rendezvous
The 35th Annual Rendezvous Race March 8, 2014
Youth Ski Festival Sunday, March 9th
Snow is falling in West Yellowstone, Montana, and skiers of all ages are invited to participate in the 34 annual Yellowstone Rendezvous Race on March 8, 2014. Race organizers have been busy marking the course and making final preparations for the event. If you have been to the Rendezvous Ski Trails in West Yellowstone at any time this season, you'll know the skiing has been great all winter.
The Yellowstone Rendezvous Race is part of the American Ski Marathon Series and is a big part of the history of cross-country skiing in West Yellowstone. This year, the Yellowstone Rendezvous race is happy to welcome Holiday Inn West Yellowstone as the title sponsor! There are six different race divisions offered for skiers of all ages. Marathoners can enter the 50 kilometer freestyle race, which consists of two laps around the perimeter of the Rendezvous Ski Trail system. Racers can enter the 25 kilometer classic or freestyle events, and the 10 kilometer race is a great choice for those preferring a shorter distance. The 5k and 2k races are geared for kids.
Register before February 25 thto save on entry fees. Race registration deadline is Thursday March 6th at 12 noon. Please visit www.rendezvousrace.com for more information, and find us on Facebook for the latest grooming reports and updates on the race.
On Sunday, March 9 th, the West Yellowstone Ski Education Foundation will host their annual Youth Ski Festival where kids 13 and under can participate in a variety of ski games including relays, musical chairs and more! Bring the family and experience winter this year. Day-of registration. Please visit www.rendezvousskitrials.com for more information.
As the title sponsor of the Yellowstone Rendezvous Race, Holiday Inn West Yellowstone offers a variety of lodging facilities in West Yellowstone and is your hub for registration, many meetings, events, clinics, and tasty vittles and drinks in The Branch Restaurant & Bar. For more information and to learn about special skier rates, call (406) 646-7365.
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Lake Placid Loppet
March 8, Mt Van Hoevenberg
The Lake Placid Loppet is one of the best events of its kind in the country. Over the past 30 years, thousands of skiers have enjoyed skiing and racing on the challenging Mt. Van Hoevenberg trails at the Olympic Sports Complex. The Lake Placid Loppet is conducted by the Olympic Regional Development Authority on the Olympic Sports Complex Cross Country Ski Trails. The Loppet and Kort-Loppet run on a slightly modified version of the 50km course constructed for the 1980 Winter Olympics making it one of the most challenging citizen races in the world. Skiers should consider carefully whether to enter the 25km or 50km event. However, many recreational skiers do participate at a less strenuous touring pace. http://www.whiteface.com/events/lake-placid-loppet |
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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Start Race Service Centers
Start's Race Service Retailers have just received this winter's fastest product. Visit a Start Race Service Center below
Wax Questions?
email us
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Support Tomorrow's Nordic Stars Today
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New World Wax table foot clamp
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NONAME
Get your team custom unis from NONAME
and separate yourself team from the pack.
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Ski Seefeld, Austria
February 26 - March 5, 2014
7 Nights, 8 Days of Skiing
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CXC Academy
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Get Lungplus to preheat your breath and save your lungs. Get a Lungplus and ski like the Norwegians!
For more information go to Lungplususa.com
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SkiErg |
The one gift you receive at birth is time. You'll never have more than you have today. Find the Time.
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