Equipment for Cross-country skiing: Skis and poles
The skis are long and thin, to distribute the weight of the skier and allow the skier to move quickly. Typical ski dimensions are 2 metres in length, about 5 centimetres in width and one to four centimetres in thickness, depending on the ski brand and which point of the ski is measured. Depending on the ski design and purpose, they are fit to the skier based on height or weight.
Like alpine skiing, cross-country skiers carry two poles, usually made of aluminium or fiberglass. More expensive poles are made of graphite or carbon fiber or some other strong but lightweight material. Poles have a spike at the end to provide a fixed pivot when the pole penetrates through to a hard surface, and a plastic web or disc (called the basket), to provide extra purchase in snow and to ensure the pole doesn’t sink too deeply.
The toe of the skier’s footwear is attached to the ski with a binding, while the heel remains free.
Equipment differs according to skiing technique. Skating or freestyle poles are usually longer than those used for the classic technique. Typically, skating poles should be long enough to reach the skier’s chin or as far as the eyebrows, depending on the skier’s preference. In contrast, classic ski poles should reach the skier’s armpit, similar to the fit of an axillary crutch..
This guide is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.
Need an webmaster? Click HERE
