Nordic Skiing Class notes, Adding poles to Diagonal skiing

As you all know it was very cold, around -40c with wind chill, for the past few days with lots of snow.

Class temperature was fine with -18C, close to the trees, and out of the wind.
Last nights class was about a half hour of skiing, and then a wax clinic.

After reviewing last weeks skiing where you were classical skiing with no poles, you finally had the poles added.
Remember once again that "POLES ARE FOR PUSH, not for balance.
Your arms and legs work in opposites. (ie right ski forward, left arm forward)
Pull down on the pole straps and do not grip the pole handle tightly. Be sure to have the pole straps adjusted properly, which will vary depending on the mitts/gloves you are using.

Some of you had to be reminded that the pole baskets plant close to your weighted foot, and only about 10cm away from the ski track on the opposite side. At times I have put my pole tips into my skis, many decades ago, as I practiced keeping the pole baskets planting close. I still keep some nail polish(pink) in the wax kit, for filling in a ski pole hole or for marking a wax pocket. (LOL)

  Tripoding is wasted movement and energy, that is not all going forward. Hands should be shoulder width apart, with a elbows slightly wider, depending on how strong your rotator cuff muscles are. Be careful and gradually widen your elbows over time. Your pole baskets should NOT be planted really wide, the baskets do not swing forward past your hand, but should always be angled backwards when you plant.

 Look in the snow where the pole tracks are, and you will get a better idea as to where you are planting your pole baskets. Get a coach or friend to watch as well, if you want.

Your reach forward with the poles, from the rotating shoulder, as you bring the elbow from the trunk, forward, at around 90 degrees. Normally you can get at least a fist in between your chest and elbow, as you reach forward. After loading poles with a slight drop of body weight, your LATS come into play, driving the poles down and backwards, with elbows staying bent and the hands coming to about your hip bone, before it is time to reach forward again. You should feel a pull in the chest muscles as well. This is where all those pull-ups that you have done during the summer will be evident.  :)
There should be next to NO triceps being used.

Try to remember your pole assisted glide.
 Naturally all this arm motion will need to be coordinated, with well balanced legs. :)

If all goes well we will be doing the single kick double pole, which is hard to master, if you do not have the double pole and the classical ski, mastered well.

Till next time.

Have FUN, go ski.