Nordic Racers Ski Club:
The Leading Edge,
February 2005

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In This Issue:
Waxing 102 - Structure | Club & Other Events | Hollyburn Hot Chocolate | Learn to Loppet - Schedule Update | Club Suits | Tuesday Night Races | Community Bulletins | Nickel Plate Results | Mont-Sainte-Anne | Loppet Schedule | Buy and Sell

Waxing 102 - Structure

This article is the second installment of Tony Chin's waxing primer from last season...

The performance of a ski is affected by three factors: (1) friction, (2) water, and (3) static. The structure pattern on the base of the ski can substantially offset the effects of friction and water to a much greater extent than the application of the correct wax.

Friction: The simple fact to remember is that the greater the amount of ski surface area in contact with dry snow, the greater the amount of friction. With coarse-grained snow, if the ski is structured with small grooves, then the amount of surface area that comes in contact with snow is reduced.

However, with fine-grained snow, a structured ski base would actually increase the amount of surface area in contact with the snow. Therefore, with fine-grained snow, no structuring is used as a flat ski surface would supply the least amount of ski surface in contact with the snow.

Water: Structuring the ski base has the same effect with moist snow as it reduces the amount of ski surface in contact with the snow and/or water. However, structure also has the effect of introducing more air underneath the ski and can help prevent the suction action of water.

Structuring Tools: The three most common means of adding structure to a ski base are (1) brushing, (2) stone grinding, and (3) rilling.

Brushing: A brush with stiff bristles (either stiff nylon or brass is recommended) can imprint a temporary structure onto a waxed base. Be sure to brush from tip to tail and create a linear structure down the length of the ski. When using a brass brush, only make one or two passes, as the very stiff bristles can remove most of the wax on the skis. When using warmer waxes (refer to my previous article on glide waxing), use a medium or stiff nylon brush.

It's probably best to use a soft nylon brush or horsehair brush for polishing and cleaning your skis. It's also important to remember that a steel brush used prior to waxing can cut a permanent structure into the ski base.

Stone Grinding: A stone grinding machine can cut a permanent structure into the ski base. Many types of structure patterns can be cut in, and the depth of the structure can be controlled as well.

Rilling: Several manufacturers have rilling or structuring tools on the market. These tools can either cut a structure into the base or press a temporary one into the wax.

Many of these tools come with different structure patterns and are capable of pressing different depths of structures. For example, a fine structure would only be able to press a depth of 0.25 mm, a medium 0.50 to 0.75 mm, and a coarse tool would press a depth of 0.75 to 1.00 mm.

To summarize, the structure on the base of a ski can greatly enhance the performance of a ski by helping it overcome friction and water suction. Structure can be put into a ski after each hot waxing by simply brushing with a stiff bristle brush. Structuring tools or rillers can press a deeper temporary structure into the wax. Permanent structure can be cut into the base of the ski with rilling tools or by stone grinding.

-Tony Chin-

Club and Other Events

Events and activities sanctioned by the Nordic Racers are indicated by an *

Hollyburn Hot Chocolate*

Every Wednesday evening throughout the ski season, drop by Hollyburn Lodge between 7:45 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. and pick up a ticket for one free hot chocolate from a Nordic Racer host.

If you'd like to be a host, please contact Dominique Barabé. This involves about 45 minutes "work" (for two hosts per night) sitting by the fire.

Note: this is a club benefit that is for current and paid-up Nordic Racer club members only.

Schedule Update: Learn to Loppet*

Learn to Loppet, the Nordic Racers adult ski program, is well underway. However, with the inclement weather during January and subsequent Cypress Mountain closures, there have been necessary schedule changes.

For all the up-to-date information please refer to the club website or contact Jamie Stirling at stirling@hayco.com.

Nordic Racer Club Suits Available Now!*

The club ski suits have arrived! If you're interested in ordering a Lycra club jersey, February 28th is when we'll be starting production, so please place your order before then to ensure you get the appropriate size.

Visit www.nordicracers.bc.ca/clothing.html for pictures, size information, and a link to our online order system.

Mount Washington Trip*

Book your accommodations for the Vancouver Island Loppet (Friday, March 11th and Saturday, March 12th - the loppet is on Sunday), by registering online at Sporg. The price is $65 for two nights, in housing right across the street from the downhill ski area, with easy access to the cross-country trails. The Vancouver Island Loppet is a free-technique race, held on Mount Washington.

For further information, check out the club website or contact Tony Chin. Note: Fees are non-refundable.

The Holly Burn Club Race*

Over the next few years we want to give officiating experience in a variety of different race formats to anybody who's interested.

This year the Holly Burn Sprints will take place on Saturday, March 19th, and we need you to help make it a success once more!

Some of the major positions that need to be filled immediately are:

• Course marshals
• Race secretary
• Set-up/Take-down
• Food organization and solicitation
• Draw Prize organization and solicitation
• Timers (we need a few more)
• and a host of other positions!

If you'd like to to help out, please e-mail the race volunteer coordinator, Elizabeth Hardy, at eahardy@shaw.ca.

Race Info:

This will be a freestyle sprint race with morning time trials and afternoon final heats. This season there will be a new course that is not as steep.

For complete race notice and registration forms, check out www.jackrabbits.ca or register at www.zone4.ca.

Registration deadlines: online - Tuesday, March 15th at midnight; mailed entries must be postmarked no later than Friday, March 11th.

No late entries will be allowed!

Tuesday Night Races!

If you're interested in trying out all sorts of XC ski racing, then the Tuesday Night races at Cypress Mountain are a great introduction to the sport. With only a toonie entry fee per race and nothing on the line, this is a low-commitment way for you to participate in classic races, skating races, head-to-head sprints, relays, pursuits, and more. Note: There are only 2 races left!

Check out race schedule and times at www.skiingbc.info/pages/nordic/tuesdaynight/.

Sovereign Lake Loppet

Interested in car-pooling and sharing accommodations for the Sovereign Lake Loppet on Saturday, March 12th? The Sovereign Lake Loppet is a 30 km free-technique loppet with a 15 km Recreational category and a 5 km "Just Desserts" category - desserts are provided before, during, and after this last "race."

For more information, contact Feng Chen at fengski@yahoo.ca.

Ski the SilverStar75

Sign up now to enter North America's longest cross country ski challenge! The race takes place on Saturday, March 19th at Silver Star Mountain Resort near Vernon, BC. Race Categories include:

• 75 km Solo
• 75 km Challenge (Corporate and Team)
• 7.5, 15, 22.5, 30, 37.5, 45, 52.5, 60, 67.5, 75 km Solo
• Recreational Solo and Team Relay Fun Challenge (5 km loops)
• Kids' 5 km Fun Challenge

For more information and to register, check out www.silverstar75.com.

Community Bulletins

Adaptive Cross Country Ski Program

The Adaptive Cross Country Ski Program at Cypress Mountain is looking for participants and volunteers for the 2005 ski season. Volunteers do not have to be certified instructors, just eager to share their skill or assistance with a person who wants to cross country ski and has a disability. Volunteer instruction will be provided.

The Adaptive Cross Country is a part of Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports (VASS). VASS facilitates skiing and snowboarding to people with disabilities across the Lower Mainland Mountains.

For more information please contact Carole Clubb at 604-904-1369.

Whistler Nordic Centre Construction Slated for Spring 2005

Construction of the Whistler Nordic Centre (WNC) and the Whistler Sliding Centre (WSC) has been scheduled to start this year and be completed by 2007. The WNC, located in the Callaghan Valley (south of Whistler), will be the site of the Cross-Country Skiing, Biathlon, Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined events at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The WSC, located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, will be the site of the Bobsleigh, Luge and Skeleton events at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

Total construction cost is estimated at approximately $125 million. Phase One of the work is scheduled to begin this spring and will include site clearing, preparation and servicing.

Other work will include construction of roads, bridges, trails, water treatment and wastewater plants and buildings.

Callaghan Country Reports Excellent Conditions

If you're still searching for some decent skiing conditions then venture to Callaghan Country, just 13 km west of Whistler and a 1-1/2 hour drive from Vancouver. The folks at Callaghan are reporting a base of 195 cm - and powder to boot! There are currently 24.4 km or cross-country trails open (classic only).

For more information, check out www.callaghancountry.com.

Loppet Results

2005 Nickel Plate Loppet Results

Many club members made the trek to Nickel Plate Nordic Centre near Penticton, BC on February 12th to participate in the annual 30 km classic loppet. Nordic Racers enjoyed good racing conditions and posted excellent race results:

Overall Men - 30 km

• David McKee: 2:00:50 - 9th overall
• Gerry Furseth: 2:11:06 - 20th overall
• Magnus Johansson: 2:12:06 - 21st overall
• Barton Pietras: 2:22:48 - 28th overall
• John Rance: 2:32:11 - 33rd overall

Overall Women - 30 km

• Heather Hamilton-Wright: 2:19:05 - 5th overall
• Anne Gillespie: 2:31:23 - 8th overall

Cross Country Destination: Mont-Sainte-Anne, Beaupré, QC

Located in Beaupré, Quebec, Mont-Sainte-Anne is known for its vast network of trails, not to mention exceptional snow conditions!

With 212 km of trails groomed for classic skiing and 125 km of trails for skate skiing through the picturesque Laurentian forest, this centre is the largest in Canada, second only to California's Royal Gorge in North America. The Mont-Sainte-Anne Cross-Country Centre has plenty of trails for all skiing abilities.

A choice of various-length trail loops makes it simple to match the outing to the skier's ability and stamina.

There are six heated shelters along the trails, and two of these have lodging facilities. A day trip for those more inclined for a challenge is the trek along the powerline (Sentier du Versant Nord) to the base of the north side of Mont-Sainte-Anne Alpine area.

There is a 7 km uphill trek that rewards the skier with amazing scenery along the way and a nice lunch at the Chalet du Versant Nord. Lodgings at the cross-country area include the unique B&B l'Auberge du Fondeur (located right on the trail), or the Ruisseau Rouge and St-Nicolas shelters along the trails. These rustic shelters each can accommodate up to eight skiers and are equipped with a wood stove to cook meals.

There are 3,000 beds located within a 5 km radius around the mountain and 11,000 rooms in the greater Quebec City area. Mont-Sainte-Anne is only 100 km from Quebec City and there are transportation shuttles available to get you there.

Check out the Mont-Sainte-Anne Cross Country Centre website for more information at www.mont-sainte-anne.com.

Loppet Schedule 2005

FEBRUARY

February 20-26: Masters World Championship, Krasnogorsk, Russia

February 28-March 5: Canadian Masters Championships, Stephenville, NL

MARCH

March 5: Spud Valley Loppet, Pemberton, BC (classic technique)

March 5: Cascade Cup Marathon, Manning Park, BC (classic technique)

March 6: Whistler Loppet, the Western Edge, Whistler, BC (free technique) *** note rescheduled date

March 12: Sovereign Lake Loppet, The Western Edge, Vernon, BC

March 12-13: Coast Cups #4 & 5, Coast Cup Series, Mt. Washington, BC (mass start, intervals) *** note rescheduled date

March 19: Coast Cup #6, Holly Burn Sprint Race, West Vancouver BC

March 19: Silver Star 75, Vernon, BC

Check out Cross Country BC's competition schedule for complete and up-to-date information at www.crosscountrybc.ca.

Buy and Sell

[See our separate buy and sell web page. Ad space in our newsletter and on our website is free for club members; contact Feng at 604-738-5695 or fengski@yahoo.ca for details.]