Banning Flouro Wax: Realistic Or Wishful Thinking?

Banning Flouro Wax: Realistic Or Wishful Thinking?

Newsfeed, Training & Outfitting
...We all know that in skiing two things matter: how your body behaves - and how do your skis. Body behavior & any enhancement of thereof are ever tightly controlled by anti-doping rules these days. But when it comes to skis - there's no limit as to what you could do to make them run faster as long as you stay within FIS- officiated length and shape restrictions. As one xcski insider puts it "if we learn tomorrow that gilding of skis with 24 carat gold helps the glide - we shall start doing that" Which means evolving from "just flouro" ( now known as LF) to high flouro to - for those who could afford them - expensive super-fluorinated waxes, powders and emulsions . And that's where the problem…
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Of Athletes And Media

Of Athletes And Media

Leaders, Newsfeed
Athletes are special among the human folk - and not just because they are physically stronger. They are far more ambitious, result-oriented people than the rest of us, commoners. Whether she or he admits it, the dream picture goes as follows: crossing the line victorious first, competitors (blurry, despondent) behind, all the while giving a perfect 32-teeth Hollywood smile. Well, there is a problem with that last bit, about looking perfect. Because rightly or wrongly the media is not interested all that much in how good the athlete looks - it's interested in conveying emotions. And emotions are not necessarily all that pretty whether on still or on moving pictures a.k.a video. Stronger the emotions- the better are the pic, beauty be damned. Unfair and outright wrong? Well, what you…
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Team GB Is Doing Something Right

Team GB Is Doing Something Right

Leaders, Newsfeed
Two years after Jostein Vinjerui and Hans Kristian Stadheim took helm of the British Nordic Ski Team's senior squad it is evident that the things are going in the right direction. Andrew Young and Jimmy Clugnet are now firmly among the world's elite in sprint while Andrew Musgrave is a real man to watch in the upcoming season, his double victory at Blink be the witness ( just in case somebody forgot - Alex Bolshunov was the guy to win 60K C at Blink the previous year) [caption id="attachment_12545" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Musgrave [/caption] [caption id="attachment_12544" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Andrew Young[/caption] [caption id="attachment_12553" align="alignnone" width="1920"] James Clugnet finishing 2d at Blink Sprint[/caption] This is not an attempt of analysis of the trio's performance in the hands of their Norwegian coaches -…
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Equipment Update As Seen At Blink Ski Fest

Equipment Update As Seen At Blink Ski Fest

Gear News, Newsfeed
Blink Skifest is not just the world's biggest summer event in skiing & biathlon - it's also sort of a catwalk of the newest equipment issued to world's best athletes by their material sponsors. [caption id="attachment_12431" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Showstopper of this year's Blink Skifest - Alpina ESK 2.0 Summer Racing [/caption] [caption id="attachment_12436" align="alignnone" width="1230"] As evident from photos, they closely resemble august ESK 2.0 Winter - lest insulation [/caption] [caption id="attachment_12430" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Although Russian-based Spine was showing a prototype of full-carbon rollerski boots on similar Rottefella platform on ISPO this year, these Alpinas are officially world's first production rollerski boots with carbon soles. Finally!.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_12432" align="alignnone" width="1920"] These new Salomon S/LABs don't quite look production-ready, more like a prototype....[/caption] [caption id="attachment_12435" align="alignnone" width="1920"] ...but since they were…
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Northug’s Top Moments ( Arbitrary Chosen By Us)

Northug’s Top Moments ( Arbitrary Chosen By Us)

Gear News, Leaders, Newsfeed
August is upon us and Petter Northug Jr. is finally, really, firmly launching his brand. Yes, we know, we know - technically, it's Jon Inge Gullikstad and his Brand Assist that are launching sales of Northug-labeled goods. But we seriously hope that whatever comes out carrying his name ( glasses and gloves to start with), it will reflect one of a kind persona Petter is: mega-talented, mercurial, charmingly non-PC & overall great face of the sport of cross country skiing to the outside world. We put together a list his special moments for you to remember - or to come up with your own one. Enjoy 1. 2011 "Humiliation" Relay finish, World Championship in Oslo. Who would forget that finish - and ensued media !@#$-stprm, of which the most memorable…
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