This time I put away biathlon and move on to cross- country skiing. This season was in my opinion crucial for one important aspect of skiing. I mean the role of double poling. In recent years the meaning of this technique became bigger. With this post I'm going to introduce some examples, which can prove my statement.
Do you remember this season's 15 km classic race in Davos? On the course, which contained steep uphills and tricky downhills, two great skiers in World Cup GC- Dario Cologna and Petter Northug, decided not to use a grip wax. They double poled the whole 15 km. Cologna managed to finish 3rd, Northug was 10th. They both lost a little bit of time getting uphills but on downhills, which were essential part of the course, had an advantage. This let them finish on good positions. The situation of not using grip wax happend also in Toblach- Dobbiaco, where was held 7th stage of Tour de Ski- 10 km classic race. Similarly to Davos, the course was also a gradual uphill followed by fast downhill. Alexey Poltoranin was one of the skiers. who double poled the whole 10 km. He succeed and won the race, overcoming a few seconds of loss, which he had on the top of the course. Right after the 15 km in Davos, students and professors from Idrettshøgskolen of The Arctic University of Tromsø started their researches of double poling. They wanted to find out, how the upper body endurance capacity compares to running. Tests ran by them will use a special machine, which simulates double poling, and a treadmill. Students will measure skier's maximum oxygen uptake while using only his upper body strength. After few days, they'll repeat the measurments, but then a skier will be supposed to run on the treadmill. They plan to invite Petter Eliassen as a professional skier for tests. I'm very curious about results. Few years ago Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre made a nice video regarding double poling and revealing its secrets. I remember this as my first source, which I gained the knowledge from. You might like it as I did, despite many things have changed since then. Just look at the video below.
There's a big chance to see more world's top skiers double poling the whole classic races in the next World Cup season, not only classic sprints. However, it'll still depend on a course profile and snow conditions. It will be interesting to retrace the strides of this technique.
Grip wax is getting useless in most of today's legendary ski marathons (Swix Ski Classics). It may sound really foreign for everyone, who hasn't ever seen one. Actually this is true. I think that Vasaloppet is here great example, but not the only one. Since 2013, when Jørgen Aukland won this race double poling the whole time, we had learned, that this is the most efficient way to get through 90 km of (mostly) gradual downhill. In ladies' competition Laila Kveli became in 2014 the first woman to win without grip wax. Diagonal stride can be used only on the first hill and maybe somewhere else, but after a lot of double poling anyways (because of flat terrain or downhills) most of kick wax is gone. In addition, it slows down skis a little bit, which can be significant especially taking into consideration 90 km race.
The map of Vasaloppet.
However, elite contenders of Swix Ski Classics choose to double pole in more difficult long distance races. Recent Birkebeinerrennet, which runs through mountains from Rena to Lillehammer, wasn't an exception. I was truly amazed when I saw these guys double poling the whole hilly race with 3,5 kg backpacks. Astoundingly, strong arms of Petter Eliassen, John Kristian Dahl, Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Øystein Pettersen & co. let them to keep up with Martin Johnsrud Sundby skiing diagonal stride. Such an amazing performance! Eliassen won the race ahead of Sundby and Dahl and prove his strength. I can say the same thing about this year's Marcialonga. The trail was shortened to 57 km, but still remained the last uphill to Cavalese. There Tord Asle Gjerdalen managed to win without grip wax of course. The unique character of long distance races, such as Swix Ski Classics, gives the perfect opportunity to work on a strategy. One of its elements is choosing the most efficient waxing and technique, which lead to double poling. Even some of the ladies try to use only their upper body strength in other races. Not always it's successful. On the last stage of Swix Ski Classics (Årefjällsloppet) winning Seraina Boner used traditional kick wax. The course was shortened to 47 km around Vålådalen instead of finish in Åre and definitely hilly enough for her to make an advantage ahead of double polers (Britta Johansson Norgren and Lina Korsgren). She had also very good skis, which were working perfectly throughout the whole race. In men's race Petter Eliassen and Tord Asle Gjerdalen made a great move on the toughest part of the course and broke away from the leading group. The crucial role played their strong double poling. Nobody could keep up with them, even Anders Aukland- the previous yellow bib's holder, who chose to use grip wax this time. The race was won by Petter Eliassen (Team Leaseplan Go), who attacked in the last 2 km. It was the 4th win in a row for him and fantastic confirmation of his victory in the whole Swix Ski Classics season. Øystein Pettersen (Team United Bakeries) won the sprint classification. Team Santander was the best in team competition, Anders Høst (Lyn Ski) was the best youth athlete.
Podium of the best skiers in 2014/2015 season. Masters of double poling, long distances and great battles. From left: Anders Høst, Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Petter Eliassen, podium lady ;), John Kristian Dahl and Øystein Pettersen.
In ladies' competition Katerina Smutna (Silvini Madshus Team) won the champion title. Tone Sundvor (Team Synnfjell) won the youth trophy.
Best women in Årefjällsloppet and Swix Ski Classics. From left: Katerina Smutna, Sofia Bleckur, Seraina Boner, Masako Ishida and Tone Sundvor.
Swix Ski Classics have a great tradition and history. It was really fun experience to watch this season on the official website (there you can also find complete results) and I won't miss any race in the next winter.
At last I'd like to share my experience with double poling. Usually I ski a lot of free technique. I don't even own any classic skis. Unfortunately, I got slightly injured at the beginning of the past season. That's why I was rather double poling than skating. In a result I had an opportunity to improve my upper body strength. After couple of training sessions I could easily double pole for 2 hours on regular course with medium uphills and downhills. Maybe my very low weight and relatively strong arms helped. I've always admitted impressive fitness of athletes, who can ski plenty of kilometers without grip wax. After my practise I'm even more respectful for them. Double poling requires a lot of physical and mental strength in the toughest parts of the race, when muscles are burning and every move hurts. I'm going to pay more attention as well for watching Ski Classics as practicing a lot of double poling. I suggest the same thing for everybody. That's because we're in a front of a revolution. The revolution of double poling.
