Skate technique USST two cents

I could care less about technique because I'm not a coach and I just
like to go out and ski. Yeah, I could be faster if I did everything
the right way. I've been skiing and racing over twenty years though
and at 46, it's no big deal if I finish a minute or two faster in a
50K.

That being said, I don't think you guys need to defend Pete or rip
Ken. I'd suggest staying tuned to Ken's posts in fact. I know Pete and
I think he is the type of guy who enjoys discussion on technique. I
think Borowski was more ****ed at Pete's "new skate" theory because it
made what he said obsolete. Marty Hall's column in Ski Trax was meant
to add more to the discussion. I think Pete is the type of coach who
feeds off the discussion and disagreement. That's how the sport
evolves. Marty wants to hear Pete's response to his criticism.

About ten years ago, Steve Gaskill, Mike Gallagher and Lee Borowski
all disagreed with each other on technique in the pages of the Master
Skier. It makes people try new things and is ultimately good for the
sport.

Pete is one of the most cerebral guys in nordic skiing. Like many
here, I would put my faith in what Pete says over the other guys
because he is on the World Cup and he is at the center of the action.
What he says about core strength is enlightening IMHO. Take a look at
Elofsson, Fredriksson and Freeman for example. Their stomachs kind of
jut out. Not like a guy carry a few extra pounds, but like a boxer or
football player. The core strength thing makes a lot of sense to me. I
might even start back with the sit-ups myself.

Jay Tegeder
"On the podium if the right people don't show up!" JT

wrote in message ...
Pete, thanks for the great post. And, congrats on the excellent
results by the USST the past few years.

I've been actively thinking about not "skiing big" in my classic
skiing the last couple years and it is good to have that notion
reinforced by you.

This newsgroup, and life in general, is richer due to the diversity of
people/posters. I too give anything written by Ken Roberts nothing
more than a quick skin. I think he'd get more out of a 30-second
instruction session with Vordenberg than he will ever get from his
endless ramblings about the first-principle physics/physiology of ski
technique. But, to each his own.

Cheers,
Brian

... who is very proud of this result (2002 Birkie):
23 Vordenberg, Pete 2:13:36
24 May, Brian 2:14:18

In article , Roger
Knight wrote:
Pete and others, thanks for the positive flow on this board and in
real life. Don't get bogged down by those who will criticize no matter
what you say....you know better than to listen to this stuff. Keep the
ideas and positive results flowing, otherwise we will never improve as
a country....THANK YOU!