Any professional athlete, as well as an amateur in skiing, will confirm that success in this sports competition for the most part depends on the correct preparation of the equipment. The preparation of skis itself has a number of nuances and important features. In order to achieve the best result, their proper cleaning and lubrication is required. Therefore, the preparation of equipment is important to deal with in a timely manner.
General Features
The process of preparing skis for serious competitions requires some knowledge and practical skills. Moreover, the team of professional skiers always includes trained people who are responsible for one or another stage of equipment preparation, perform it depending on the current environmental conditions - the level of humidity, temperature, and others.
Ski preparation is important both for professionals before serious starts, and for fans of this sport. First of all, the emphasis is on sliding.
It is important to note that both new skis and those that have already been ridden more than once need to be prepared.
The main types of ski
In the preparation of each type of ski there are a number of features that must be taken into account. So, during the preparation of cross-country skiing, emphasis is placed on the best glide. But if it is supposed to use the classical style, such a factor as holding is taken into account. If the training is carried out in accordance with all the rules, then even a skier with minimal experience will certainly get maximum pleasure from skiing.
In the preparation of skiing, it is important not only the quality of their sliding surface, but also the edges. They must be processed using special formulations, as well as sharpened. This guarantees maximum safety during descents from mountain slopes.
The nuances of ski training
First of all, the correct primer is required directly on the sliding surface. It is relevant primarily for the preparation of skis for skating, as well as for their other types.
After priming the surface, it is necessary to apply graphite paraffin to it. This manipulation is performed using the so-called hot method. Due to the presence of paraffin, one of the components of which is graphite, the displacement of the very first layer of lubricant is eliminated. In addition, this guarantees an increase in the wear resistance of the grease itself.
Further, the skis cool down to about room temperature, after which the excess paraffin remaining on them can be removed by means of a scraper.
At the next stage, the sliding surface is exposed to a special brush of a rotor type made of horsehair. Following is the impact of a metal brush of a manual hair type in which it is already thin.
Now you can apply paraffin based on real weather conditions. This is also done in a hot way. First of all, the surface is covered with a layer of low fluoride material, which will provide excellent bonding with the first layers.
Once the ski has cooled, the steps to remove excess paraffin and brushing are repeated. The next layer is paraffin, in which the proportion of fluorine is high. Fluorocarbon grease completes the preparation. She is chosen, also focusing on real weather conditions.
Features of working with any fluorocarbon grease
This substance has a number of features, regardless of whether it is released in the form of an emulsion, powder or accelerator. Therefore, experts recommend working with it only with the use of a separate set of brushes.
The simultaneous use of a tool for working with paraffin and such a lubricant is strictly unacceptable.
The procedure and nuances of preparing skis intended for skating
As already mentioned above, depending on the type of ski, their preparation may vary slightly. In this case, work begins with equipment cleaning. To do this, the surface is cleaned with a brush made of brass or steel. This will provide sufficient opening of pores located directly on the sliding surface.
The next stage in preparing skis for skating is applying a paraffin layer on them. In order for him to lie down evenly, they act on the surface with a slightly heated iron.
Features applying paraffin to skis
It is important to understand that applying paraffin is a responsible and unsafe process. This feature is justified by the need to use an iron. If you do not calculate the effort, then the required layer of paraffin between the surface of the equipment and the iron itself simply will not remain. Skis will be damaged.
It is enough to fix using a ski preparation machine. The iron warms up to a mark of 60 degrees. Next, paraffin is sequentially applied and distributed on the working surface. Usually, three layers are sufficient, each of which is carefully fused.
Ski wax removal
The next step is to get rid of excess grease. There is a special scraper for this. As soon as the stage is completed, it is necessary to repeat the operation, but already using a brush.
Features of removing paraffin from a sliding surface are as follows:
- Work begins with the use of a scraper.
- It is important not to change the degree of pressure when processing this or that site, otherwise the ski will be unevenly cleaned.
- At the end of the stage, for better removal of the substance, work continues with the use of a brush with active and rapid movements of the tool.
- When it becomes necessary to remove the initial paraffin layer, an iron is used.
The need for complete removal of the grease previously applied to the skis arises only in those cases when they are not riding well enough. This is usually a sign of improper preparation of equipment performed before skiing. After removing the base layer from the surface, all manipulations are repeated.
Features of cross-country skiing
In practice, the preparation of cross-country skiing is usually carried out in the factory using special units equipped with an abrasive stone or tape. New skis need final treatment, it is also performed several times during the season.
The settings of the grinding equipment are selected based on the necessary surface structure, determined by the characteristics of the snow cover. So, skis will not slide well if their surface is dry, melted or excessively smooth and shiny.
To improve the sliding properties, they usually resort to applying a special pattern, the so-called structure, to the working surface. This can be done not only manually, but also with the use of special grinding units. No less important in ensuring normal gliding, such a processing step as removing the pile. This can be done either on a special machine or manually.
Training cross-country skiing should ideally be carried out before each exit individually. Indeed, the conditions for temperature and humidity may well change.
Experts assure that to walk on good snow it is enough to carefully treat the sliding surface with paraffin - this will be enough for a distance of 15–20 km. But after applying paraffin to the skis, they become subject to abrasion, they absorb dirt very well. This is manifested in the whitening of the work surface with the subsequent acquisition of a pronounced gray shade. Therefore, it is so important to clean skis properly before applying a new layer of paraffin.
The structure is important for cross-country skiing, so their preparation always ends with the application of a certain pattern on the sliding surface, taking into account the depth and pitch of the grooves.
The procedure for preparing classic-style skis
Preparation of alpine skis for competition or normal skiing always begins with cleaning the work surface from lubrication. To do this, they are fixed in a ski preparation machine. After cleaning the surface of dirt and previously applied lubricants, the preparation of the pad, involving the application of the ointment, is performed.
It is best applied cold in several layers. For complete grinding of the substance, a profile machine is suitable. It is important to carry out all movements actively.
Against the background of friction, the process of heat generation will begin, the substance will be evenly distributed.
If liquid ointment is used, a shorter block is needed. This is explained by the fact that it has an increased coefficient of adhesion to snow relative to a solid ointment. Typically, the use of a liquid component shortens the pad by 15 cm.
Also, the length of the shoe depends on the degree of rigidity of the skis themselves.
Thus, for comfortable riding and achieving better results, it is important to properly and, most importantly, prepare equipment in a timely manner. The features of this manipulation are determined by the type of ski along with real weather conditions.