{"id":2334,"date":"2020-02-12T17:40:19","date_gmt":"2020-02-13T00:40:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/?p=2334"},"modified":"2020-04-17T10:28:04","modified_gmt":"2020-04-17T16:28:04","slug":"a-beginners-guide-to-skimo-racing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voile.com\/blog\/a-beginners-guide-to-skimo-racing\/","title":{"rendered":"A Beginner\u2019s Guide to Skimo Racing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Before we dive into this Beginner\u2019s Guide to Skimo Racing, let\u2019s revisit my first-ever randon\u00e9e race. I\u2019ll never forget the experience: I was on a loaner ski setup that weighed 22 pounds. The boots barely walked and the skis were heavy powder skis, complete with frame bindings. It was a lap-style sprint race where participants try to get as many laps in as they can in an hour. I\u2019m pretty sure I came in dead last\u2026 by the time I crossed the finish line covered in sweat, my friends were already inside enjoying beer and pizza. But for some reason, I was hooked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Beginner's
Beginner’s Guide to Skimo Racing – Emily racing with the Voile WSP Skis<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Over the years since that first race, I\u2019ve learned the tricks of the trade of randon\u00e9e racing, and am now an organizer for a series of local races in Anchorage.<\/a> In the spirit of making skimo racing more accessible and welcoming to the average ski tourer, or the beginner skier, here are some tips I wish I\u2019d known when I first started out! Hopefully this beginner’s guide to skimo racing will help you know what to expect when you hit your first race. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, I\u2019ll quickly break down a few styles of skimo\/randon\u00e9e races and what you can expect. From beer-league sprint races to ultra-style backcountry races, not all skimo\/rando races<\/a> are created equal. You might encounter a variety of formats in your local evening race series: Missoula\u2019s weekly race series \u201cRando Radness<\/a>\u201d varies from laps-in-an-hour, to a fastest-to-the-top vertical challenge, to partner races, and more. These are shorter and more digestible races that are often very beginner-friendly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bigger weekend races often involve a course that wanders around a ski area, with a few uphill and downhill sections. Many of these races divide into a \u201clong\u201d and \u201cshort\u201d course, or \u201cpro\u201d and \u201crec.\u201d The courses can vary in vertical gain and distance, and some races even just have one short uphill sprint. This type of race will typically publish a course map for participants to study beforehand. Some races are more technical than others, so do look at maps and stats\u2014more on this later. Lastly, ultra-style races like the famous Grand Traverse cover many miles of backcountry terrain and require a whole added level of research, skills, and abilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out these tips below to get yourself ready for a local event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Beginner's
Anchorage Rando Racers – CREDIT Alex Lee<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. Practice your transitions<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the biggest tricks to get you ahead in a skimo race! Most races will require multiple transitions, and being speedy (~30 seconds) can really give you an edge up. I bet a lot of newer racers will roll their eyes or gawk at the concept of 30-second transitions\u2026 but I bet you can accomplish this, even on your standard touring setup! Go practice in your backyard, and create a system. When I was racing on my standard AT skis this was my order to switch from hike to ski: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Put boots in ski mode.<\/li>
  2. Flip back heel riser.<\/li>
  3. Stomp heel into binding & unlock toes from walk mode. <\/li>
  4. Rip skins tail to tip<\/em>.<\/li>
  5. Ski! It may go without saying, but your skis should not come off for your transition from walk to ski!<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Now that I race on my WSP\u2019s<\/a>, my method is: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Boots in ski mode & unlock toes.<\/li>
    2. Flip heel risers.<\/li>
    3. Rip skins tip to tail<\/em>\/<\/li>
    4. Stomp heel into binding.<\/li>
    5. Ski! <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Transitioning from ski to walk should be also be practiced so you don\u2019t forget a step and, for example, start walking while your boots are still in ski mode… or forget to flip a riser and start walking just to end up locking your heel down. Yeah, I speak from experience 😉. Skis DO come off the feet for this transition!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Whatever your order of operations is: do it the same every time. Make your transitions expedient and be able to do them on autopilot. It will make up a lot of time in your race, but in the backcountry, fast transitions will also make your touring day more efficient, in turn allowing you to ski more pow! <\/p>\n\n\n