Vasaloppet ski prep

Been looking at video of Vasaloppet '03 from Janne's server. Very
interesting. The lead pack is double-poling most of the course, but
does kick a bit now and then, so they're not going completely w/o
kick wax.

Watching this gets me wondering about their ski prep. Have they done
anything special to improve glide? Stiffer skis than usual? Shorter
wax pocket?

A few minutes back when the pack containing the 1st woman comes
through I see a whole lot more kick-double-pole than in the lead
pack.

Most of the leaders appear to be using more or less standard length
poles for classic. A few do seem to have longer poles, though it's
hard to judge when they're in motion.

That logjam at the start makes me not want to run this race for real
without first qualifying for one of the 1st waves!

-Mitch