The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly (continued from page 13)
levels of competition and is emerging as an issue as there are many accusations of crossing the line of using a legal technique and concerns about loss of tradition. The next few years will likely bring some new rule changes to address the concerns. This fall, the FIS agreed to restrict the height of a skier’s poles in classic competition. There is even the possibility of the elimination of the classic technique distinction at the elite level of skiing. We will not be adopting a pole height restriction for the Birkie and Korte Classic races. Skiers are welcome to use whatever pole length they feel is best for them. And rest assured that, despite what might be in-store from FIS in the future, we will continue to offer a separate classic technique Birkie race. Fair Play While we resoundingly hear how skiers band together to help one another out on the trail, race day can find some participants ripe with nervous energy and tension. Anytime you place a large group of people together in a racing event, you have the potential of one person invading another participant’s space, whether intentional of not. As such, there is always potential for conflict out on the trail.
It goes without saying that it is the responsibility of every participant to ski fairly and to look out for one another on race day. Simple race etiquette includes: passing only when there is adequate space; announcing your intention to pass and on which side; and staying in the space for your technique (skaters staying off the classic tracks). To make the race start a less stressful experience: classic skiers should line up in a track, not between tracks, and stay in the tracks until (continued on next page) 38
Slumberland American Birkebeiner