Norway  puts its economic might on display in Planica to dismay of other nations

Norway puts its economic might on display in Planica to dismay of other nations

Leaders, Money & Finance
"...at the entrance to the ( Planica ski) stadium, the Norwegian Skiing Association has left its mark on the arena by parking a large trailer that will delight the association's VIP guests during the championship…" Have to give a credit to Nettavisen & the rest of the Norwegian media: they didn't skip on the most interesting story of the world championships so far.   The reaction of the rest of the xcski world was pretty much summed up by the Slovenian xcski legend  Petra Majdic:    " What the hell is Norway doing? Does Norway need to make smaller ski nations even smaller? Fair enough that they can afford to pay 6,000 euros to park here for their sponsors, but the cross-country skiing needs now more than ever that there…
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Are modern skis any better than those made 25 years ago? Two experts lean on the issue

Are modern skis any better than those made 25 years ago? Two experts lean on the issue

Gear News, Leaders
If  we were to pick a subject skiers like to discuss the most, it probably would be " are the best modern skis that retail for 1000 euros/ dollars any better than what was sold in the past ( often for half price)?" Now no lesser figure than a coach of Alexander Bolshunov and Natalia Nepryaeva decides to speak. In interview with a newsportal 7startov.com Yuri Borodavko does not mince his words: " The skis that were made 25 years ago glide about the same as the new Fisher Helium or 3Ds, which are advertised so heavily, or the new Salomon, for instance, who's makers say they employ the latest technology." Borodavko goes to explain that there is particular hill in one of the top ski centers in Siberia that's…
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The BLINK Skifestival is back in full strength this year after last two  editions hampered but not broken by COVID

The BLINK Skifestival is back in full strength this year after last two editions hampered but not broken by COVID

Leaders, Newsfeed
The BLINK at the beginning of August is one of those rare stories worth talking about, year after year. Why do we at The Daily Skier pay so much attention to it? Because the competition is evolving, growing in strength, getting more spectators, better sponsorship and more media attention. Because it's the world's first real fusion of xcskiig and biathlon (others are trying to imitate now) Because of its festive, celebratory atmosphere that is difficult to convey unless you are on the ground ( and if you haven't made up your mind about vacations yet, BLINK is on August 3-6 thus year!). In short, BLINK is bluntly showing what a successful cross-country skiing competition should be like, narrow skis or those wheeled. We talked to Arne Idlamd, the guy created…
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Valentina Vuerich makes history by signing with Team Norway

Valentina Vuerich makes history by signing with Team Norway

Leaders, Newsfeed
Vale is special, there is probably no one else like her on the World Cup circuit: We profiled Ms.Vuerich more than two years ago on dailyskier.com : "..a former athlete herself, Valentina is a lot more than a ski technician. She is a training partner and, judging by amounts of smiles & giggles, one of the close friends to her Team Slovenia athletes…" The Italian specialist was instrumental in success of the Slovenian team in the recent years - but this month Valentina has signed a contract with none less than Team Norway. Thus becoming, we believe, the first foreign female ski specialist with them. She would be primarily responsible for making sure the skis of Heidi Weng, Julie Myhre and Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget are flying in every race. We…
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Beijing Olympics ski tracks  – what are they like? Tough with a capital  T , says the man in the know

Beijing Olympics ski tracks – what are they like? Tough with a capital T , says the man in the know

Leaders, Newsfeed
Without further ado, we give the floor to Max Volkov, distance squad coach in Team China, who is currently at Kuyangshu Nordic and Biathlon Center in Zhangjiakou - the future Olympic venue : Overall,the Olympic tracks are quite balanced and harmonious for the lack of better description when it comes to a combination of uphills and descents. As one would imagine, there are no easy race profile configurations at the top level competitions in principle. But in Beijing there are added factors: The one that gets mentioned a lot is the altitude. The courses are laid on or above 1700m - that's higher than any FIS World Cup races in Europe. During the Olympic Games, the weather is expected to be cold and dry. That would make the snow slow.…
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