Quote:
Originally Posted by berettafan
Anybody watch the cross country ski event? Is it correct the one type of ski grips in one direction? Is that harder than the kick off style of moving on flat land or hills?
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I think you mean the "classic" or normal/old-fashioned method.
Those skis have enough bend (camber) for the bits underneath the feet to not touch the snow when gliding. Only when you kick down on each stride does that part of the ski contact and grip the snow to shove you forward. Fancy wax voodoo is involved.
Us hack XC skiers probably have "fish scales" in that section of ski base which directionally grip to stop the ski from sliding backward when you kick. You still get the benefit of the camber to keep that textured draggy bit of the ski off of the snow except for when you're pushing down on it dynamically. Some old crusty skiers use skis without scales and stick to wax, typically on their wooden skis and they'll tell tales of the romantic aroma of pine tar mixed with sweaty wool.
Skating is faster and usually requires a groomed path. You can do the old kick-and-glide most anywhere.
And now I've probably mis-explained something complex enough that each of those teams of athletes you see on TV each have teams of pros keeping their skis in the right tune.