He "just" increases
his speed by 20-40% or so and shoots through openings other skiers never
recognize as such.

Terje

I've only rarely had the chance/need to do this -- years ago -- but
it's amazing how much space there is when you're going a fair bit
faster than others. I can't quite say how it works but it seems to.
Like, it's not so tough getting thru a block of 4 skiers -- 2x2 going
up a hill -- if you're flying much faster. It doesn't even have to
impede them.

Maybe a ski race is, in effect, a bit more like a speed skate event
than a bike race -- if you can avoid the skis and poles, which somehow
seems fairly easy to do. Skaters can get really close. Actually, track
bike racers get twice as close together as roadies, it seems. Altho
trackies and skaters get really close *at the same speed*. Speed
difference seems KEY to finding space when skiing. ...In a flash
you're thru 'em and gone...