On Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:23:27 -0800 (PST)
wrote:

I've compiled a slow motion video for the purpose of technique study.
I've focused on sideways views to check how far one lands on the ski
and how backward one pushes.

These are abstracts of the Vancouver Winter Olympics pursuit 30 km,
skating part.
Featuring Bauer Legkov Hellner Olson Soedergren Vittoz.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDhz69-sU8A

Thanks (tho Mozart might have worked better ;-). What especially
strikes me was how many of those guys's posture is the same as if they
were running, and how little distance is covered by most of their hip
cycles. I can understand wanting to know "how far one lands" (not
very, basically underneath them), but for the life of me I can't
understand why be concerned with "how backward one pushes." I don't
think they push backward at all, but rather off the inside of the foot,
which seen in motion from the side gives the impression of a ski going
back. This is a push-and-glide sport; how far back one goes with legs
or hands is a function of what goes into the push, supplemented by
balance. What goes on behind is only a matter of concern if it is being
unnecessarily curtailed.

Gene