How to prepare skis for results

To achieve results in cross-country skiing, technique and aerobic capacity are determining factors, but also the choice and preparation of skis. The interaction between the selection of skis and waxes makes a winning combination and each year this process is more decisive to achieve a medal or a podium.

Poorly chosen wax, or the wrong skis in the previous choice, “could lead to a change for the worse of up to 3 percent,” according to studies by Norwegian scientists.

Protocol for preparing skis

What is exposed here is an idea of how we can start to carry out this work and that ensures a minimum of possibilities in our competitions, of course, that it is not a formula and each skiman can perform more or fewer steps always depending on experience, budget and staff working in this process.

Steps to follow:

  1. Take data on the possible conditions that we will encounter at the time of the race (temperature, humidity, possible rainfall, etc.) and test skis to select the most suitable for these conditions.
  2. Once the ski has been chosen, we have to work on the most suitable structure for the type of snow.
  3. Now is the time to test the slip waxes (this process the closer to departure time the better) and determine which is the fastest for the day in question.
  4. A few minutes before the test we have to carry out the tests with the athletes so that they can give us their feelings and make possible last minute adjustments.

Why is snow temperature important to skiers?

Temperatures in combination with regular rains increase the rate at which the structure of the snow changes, transforming the newly fallen pointed crystal into more rounded-tipped snowflakes. The regular freeze-thaw cycle further increases the size of the snow grain type and therefore the conditions in which the athletes will slide must be observed to the maximum when looking for high-level results.

Why is the base structure of a cross-country ski important?

Warm-Universal-structure The actual amount of surface of the ski base in contact with the snow is an important factor that determines the amount of friction during sliding.

The structure of the base of the skis has to match the type of snow crystal that we are going to find on the piste. New snow, with its complex snow crystals, requires a different ski base structure than old and transformed snow crystals. This means that cold conditions require very thin frames while thick frames are best for wet snow or high water conditions.

A small difference that a medal can make

Gliding wax is one of the parameters that affect the total performance on a cross-country ski track and as it has been increasingly commented, the investment that each national team can make in this aspect gives its results. Technicians keep an eye on your waxes and the structuring of your skis is a well-kept secret, but mistakes do happen. The 3 percent decrease in performance wouldn’t make much of a difference for the average skier, but at the highest level or when looking to achieve it, this is crucial and can make a difference if we want an athlete to achieve a medal.