Bindings:

Hello group.
I am new to cross country and i have noticed that some
people use a skating techique sometimes i was wondering if they have a
heel binding also?

Jim.J.

On Fri, 26 Dec 2003 09:53:30 -0600, "Sally Johnston"
wrote:

Hello group.
I am new to cross country and i have noticed that some
people use a skating techique sometimes i was wondering if they have a
heel binding also?

Rec.skiing.nordic might be a better place to ask.

But, no there is not any heel binding used. The skating technique
relies on stiffer boots laterally, and a binding plate on the ski that
interlocks with your heel when down only, allowing a sideways push
with the heel and toe. It also helps to have shorter skis with reverse
sidecut. Any skating ski setup will also allow for "classic" XC skiing
in track, with different waxing.

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
------------------------------------------------
at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom

Sally Johnston wrote:

I am new to cross country and i have noticed that some
people use a skating techique sometimes i was wondering if they have a
heel binding also?

Some purist high performance skate bindings have a retention hook under
the foot so the ski doesn't get left too far behind, but the heel itself
is free.
Compared to "classic" diagonal stride, skating is faster but it's also
more reliant on a suitable surface: you can plod through drifts with
kick n' stick, but skate needs the skis gliding the whole time. The
necessity for constant glide means skate doesn't work too well with
typical waxless pattern bases. Also the case IME that skating needs
more technique to be able to sustain, but once you've got enough of that
technique it's great fun!
The sort of bindings mentioned in the first paragraph are best suited to
prepared skating tracks with purpose built skate skis (short, stiff and
snub-nosed) glide-waxed from tip to tail. These aren't much use for
classic. A combi ski and boot with a normal binding will skate fairly
well (given the technique is there) without making life difficult if you
switch back to diagonal stride.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/