SHIFTING GEARS

There are sports within skiing - alpine, telemark, cross-country, et cetera. Within cross-country skiing, there are techniques – classic and skate. Dissect the cross-country skate technique and you find gears – V1, V2, etc.

I was recently asked how V2 alternate fit in with the other gears. I believe the best way to relay my understanding is through both showing and telling (read and watch on):

V1 is a very powerful gear but not necessarily one that can be maintained at high speeds (sort of like first gear on a car); it is good for starting, getting up to speed, power, steep climbs, et cetera.

V2 comes next (second gear) and is still very powerful but can be used at a higher speed. In other words, once you get up to speed (or the terrain changes) to propel you past the efficiency of V1, you switch to V2.

When you have reached maximum speed with V2, V2 alternate (3^rd gear) is the next shift. V2 alternate still has a powerful pole-stroke but it is only on one side. The one-sided pole allows for more glide, a strong kick and consequently a technique maintained at even higher speeds (down a hill, on a fast flat, etc) than V2 allows.

4^th gear, one of my favorites, is the tuck skate. You can swing your arms or keep them tucked up depending on speed, wind and how comfortable you feel. It is the technique used when you are going too fast for V2 alternate but not fast enough for a straight tuck. It is a great technique for windy conditions, as it keeps your upper body compact while allowing a strong kick.

A straight tuck is 5^th gear.

Skate Gears - thanks for shooting Eric!

Many times it is NOT necessary to go through all of the gears; when driving a car, it is called speed shifting. While skiing, you might shift from V2 into a tuck, which skips V2 alt. and the tuck-skate. In an extreme case, you might be hammering over the crest of a hill in V1 and go straight into a tuck for a steep downhill (1^st to 5^th gear shift).

I think the most common technique to leave out is the tuck-skate (4^th gear). It is one of my favorite styles but I don’t see it used often. Maybe folks like to recover their legs on the downhill...? I prefer the speed and it flushes my legs better than getting into a tuck (unless I need to catch my breath).

Give transitioning from gear to gear a conscious effort. See if you tend to skip a gear, have a favorite or feel more comfortable in one opposed to another. Work on skiing to both sides (V1 to the right and to the left) and force yourself to practice the techniques, gears and sides that you are less comfortable and coordinated doing.

17 days until the first race of the season.

Living the dream,

`kate