Chat Transcript

<moderator_bob>: Welcome to our chat with Subaru Factory Team members Andrew Gerlach & Peter Vordenberg. The Subaru Factory Team, America's most successful cross country ski team, proudly drives Subaru vehicles to and from their races. We'll be chatting with two-time Olympian Peter Vordenberg and Andrew Gerlach, Subaru Factory Team Director.

<moderator_todd>: What is cross country skiing and why should I do it?

<factoryteam 2>: Cross-country skiing is almost anything you want it to be. You can fly along with 8000 of your best friends in a race or poke along at your own pace in the forest, cut serious turns way beyond the nearest lift line... on snow cross-country skiing is moving across any terrain under your own power.

<moderator_bob>: FUN FACT: Cross-country ski racing combines endurance with speed, and strength with tactics and technique. Top racers reach speeds over 45 mph on the down hills, 20 mph on the flat, and average over 15 mph for distances up to 35 miles. Races can be from less than a kilometer to 90km. Olympic distance races are between 1km and 50km.

<ateixeira>: Where is the UNM campus? I've been to Taos, really nice. What did you study?

<factoryteam 2> The UNM campus is in Albuquerque. It's right at the base of Sandia Mt. where there is great skiing, even when it is shorts weather down in town. The ski team at UNM is really good mostly because the coach, Fredrik Landstedt.

<1subydown1togo>: At what age did you both start skiing?

<factoryteam 2>: Not sure when Andy Started, but I started as a very young kid. Tell you the truth I didn't care for it at all to start out with, but as I got involved in racing and with other kids my own age I started to fall in love with it.

<factoryteam 2>: Andy started at the Age of 7. Like me his folks got him involved, but it was skiing with other tikes his age that really got him hooked. Now a days its still trucking around with kids our own age that keeps us skiing.

<barresa62>: I've never cross country skied but have downhilled at Whistler. Curious to know if you've skied any of the trails at Whistler, Canada and what your impressions are?

<factoryteam 2>: Never have been to Whistler, but it's on the list. I have to admit that when I'm not on my cross-country boards I'm on a snow board. Don't worry, I don't show you piners too much attitude.

<alan7>: I've been considering getting one of the Polar Heart Rate Monitors for training. Do you guys have any suggestions about them or any comments about Lee Borawskis recent book on Optimal Cross County Training?

<factoryteam 2>: Hello Alan, basically all elite ski racers use a heart rate monitor, we on the Factory Team use Cat Eye, but Polar is also a great brand. The important thing is to use the monitor along with other means of monitoring your body. It is vital to also listen to your body, listen to how you feel and not just to what your heart rate monitor says.

<suev>: I love skating -- working on strength, speed and technique in 50 yard stretches is really fun. But skating for sustained distances is really hard. I need to know how to skate slowly, without losing all momentum, in order to skate distances.

<factoryteam 2>: suev, have we met before? The trick is to fall back on the old coaches skate, that is a diagonal skate technique. While many make fun of the old coaches technique it is a very efficient technique because you are maintaining momentum rather than regenerating it with each skate. Use it even on gradual terrain. No shame in that! Keep the boards moving, that 's the key.

<suev>: What do you mean by the old coaches skate -- a diagonal skate technique?

<factoryteam 2> Sue, that is using the arms as if you were classical skiing and using the legs in a gliding herringbone technique. Think light and quick!

<kevin238>: Does any one have experience with Fischer s-bound skis? We do a lot of park skiing around eastern PA and on beat up back-country tracks in the Adirondacks and the track skis often just don't cut it.

<factoryteam 2>: The S-bound skis are really backcountry telemark skis. They have a 1.5 Nordic camber which is great for climbing and cutting turns, but if you are just into backcountry touring you might be better off with a Fischer E-99 or even a BC Country Crown.

<kevin238>: Cool, I was wondering if the extra float was going to be much help on say, a golf course with no tracks.

<factoryteam 2>: Kevin, The Country Crown is a great choice for ungroomed golf course skiing. You could also opt for a Vista or Voyageur Crown -- check em out at www.fischerskis.com.

<1subydown1togo>: I'm going to be 52 and I'm a klutz. Is it too late to start skiing?

<factoryteam 2>: hello Subydown, My grandpa is 95 years old and has two titanium knees, and the old boy still skis up a storm. Cross-country skiing is non-jarring so it's good for your joints.

<moderator_bob>: FUN FACT: The Subaru Factory Team motto is: The Subaru Factory Team is living out their dreams; they want to help you live out yours. Visit us at www.dreamofit.com. For information on the sport of cross-country skiing please see us at www.skipost.com, and don’t hesitate to e-mail your questions on the sport to us at weanswer@skipost.com. We’re here for you.

<jayboz>: I know from working at the ski test area during the Biathlon world cup that the waxing done there is kept fairly simple. Is this the same for cross country? I am an intermediate to advanced biathlete but I know waxing like the back of my hand. Should I keep waxing simple and leave the advanced stuff for races? Also who could I contact to really give me some advanced advice on training for biathlon. I have read all the books on the market.

<factoryteam 2>: Jayboz, Keep it simple. That is very important. Get to know one brand (we like Swix). For races we use 2 to 4 layers max. For training, just go ball park.

<jayboz>: Thank you. I will be working at the Olympics running the ski test area for Biathlon once again and helping out cross country. Can't wait!

<tijil>: What is your opinion of V-2 Aero rollerskis. I feel they reinforce bad technique as the back wheel drops 3 inches with Pilot bindings causing one to have to lift your foot excessively.

<factoryteam 2>: tijil, we go with Elpex all the way, it is important to use skis that are as close to skiing as possible and the V2 skis are generally too slow. They work for some though, that is for sure.

<tijil> Does anyone else have experience with V-2 Aero wheel drop problems?

<factoryteam 2>: tijil, I have a friend in Colorado who loves them. Try mounting the skis a little further back if you can -- as far back as you can. A Pilot binding helps as well...

<1subydown1togo>: What is a good setup for an 11-year-old to start, either cross-country or regular skiing? We go out to NM very few years... where would be a good place for novices? The only hills here in South Florida are the overpasses on the Turnpike!

<factoryteam 2>: Hello subydown, Fischer makes packages for both alpine and cross-country, but you can't use the same equipment for both if you are just starting out. Skiing is a sweet sport for kids, the most important thing is to just get out there and play on the skis, kids learn so naturally that they need a minimum of instruction. Let them loose! and they'll fall in love with it.

<ateixeira>: I just wish we had enough snow around here that we could ski! :-)

<factoryteam 2>: ateix, snow freaks are hurting for snow the country over. We are full of snow in Montana though.

<moderator_bob>: FUN FACT: Cross-country ski racers are considered the most fit cardiovascular athletes in the world (as measured by maximal oxygen uptake - how much oxygen in mm you can take in and use per minute. This is called Max V02. A normal person has a max around 40 while elite racers score in the 90's).

<suev>: How about a prediction on the outcome of the ASM Series for this year. Who will be hot on the circuit in this Olympic Year?

<factoryteam 2>: ASM? Factory Team for the 6th year in a row!

<factoryteam 2>: Who's hot at the Olympic Games? I hope Carl Swenson will turn out a good one and Beckie Scott too. Per Elofson and Johann will take some medals and the Norwegians have a whole squad of potential winners.

<jayboz>: Do you think V2 910's are too slow? How about the pro skis? Do you know anything about them? What's the best simulator for an intermediate skier?

<factoryteam 2>: Jay, my god, are you people still rollerskiing?

<jayboz>: You kidding me? We have seen 2 inches of snow so far in upstate NY and the Tug Hill area doesn't have any now!

<factoryteam 2>: I guess anything is better than nothing. You can make anything work, you wouldn't believe what I've seen in action in Scandinavia and Russia and Estonia, but I think V2 910 are very slow unless you live in a flat place or are as strong as an ox. Pro Skis are very good, and come in many speeds. We like Elpex...

<moderator_todd>: How important is Subaru's involvement with the team?

<factoryteam 2>: Subaru has made it possible for skiers like me to remain in the sport. Also it has enabled us to start many programs that bring skiing to more people and help them understand and enjoy it more. Also, it helps us drive like devils on the snow -- which we must do, you understand, to get where we need to go on time.

<vzero>: See by my username... can't go uphill. At least not on anything but perfect snow. Last week at Tahoe was a bummer. Tips? Equipment ever a factor? Can't get bite on the edges.

<factoryteam 2>: VZero, uphills. Oh man. Edge bite could be an equipment issue if your skis are old and the bases worn down, but more likely you need to focus on edging the ski when you skate or herringbone. Try dropping your knee down toward the tip of your ski and then in to force the ski on edge. Also keep your motions light and quick rather than trying to eat up huge chunks of snow in one step.

<tijil>: How important is it to set the ski down gently on the snow during skating? Some people feel this is important but I see elite skiers stomping down during weight transfer and you can see the snow fly up.

<factoryteam 2>: tijil, you'll see elite skiers doing a lot of things. Some things they do are right, some are not. Just because they go fast doing what they do doesn't mean they couldn't go faster. There are more important things to focus on but do try to put 'em down gliding.

<suev>: We are trying to start some kind of structured program for middle school age kids. Do you have recommendations about how to get something like this started?

<factoryteam 2>: suev, I have to admit that the best resource for this is Rick Kapala in Sun Valley. But the key is letting them make what they want from the sport. It can be social, competitive, whatever... If they have fun they will do it for life.

<randyman1>: Will carbonated beverages lower my LT, AT, Ventilation Threshold or reduce my output at the same heart rate? Many school coaches for cross county running team stress this but I don't see it discussed in cross country literature.

<factoryteam 2> Randyman, I too have heard this and have experimented with carbonated malt beverages to a limited extent. Seriously, drink a pop if you want, drink a beer if you want, but don't drink 10 at once. Moderation.

<moderator_todd> What kind of results should we look for at the upcoming Olympics? Who are the skiers or teams to beat?

<factoryteam 2> Todd, Norway, Sweden, Russia. Look for a top 5 result from Todd Lodwick of the USA in combined (jumping and cross-country skiing). Look for Carl Swenson, a former factory team skier, to scare the willies out of them!

<jayboz> How much difference is there between the Pilot boots and the Alpina 2001 skate boots? Is it mostly personal preference?

<factoryteam 2> We are a strictly Salomon crew, and I'm sorry but I've never even tried the Alpina boots. 85% of all World Cup skiers use Salomon, that's where the smart money is.

<moderator_bob> FUN FACT: Pete Vordenberg competed for the US in the Olympic games in Albertville, France and at the Olympic games in Lillehammer, Norway. He is an NCAA Collegiate National Champion, a five year veteran of the US Ski Team. He has lived, trained and raced in Sweden for two years, has traveled to over 15 countries including all of Scandinavia, parts of Russia, Estonia, much of central Europe (including Italy, France, Austria, Czech, Poland) and even Macedonia - all for ski racing.

<tijil> Do you think that skate cut skis tend to make the skis slower. We've had a lot of slow Fischer skate cut skis here in Michigan the last two years.

<factoryteam 2: tijil, that's a good question. Fischer tests skis on the world cup for at least a year before putting them out to the public. All the Factory Team uses skate cuts, most of the World Cup skiers use them as well. If they're slow get them ground... e-mail we answer@skipost.com for more info on that later...

<nordiccow>: Any comments on what has made Elofsson so good?

<factoryteam 2> Nordiccow, YES! Here is a guy who is not afraid to rest! He trains 5 days a week! Yes 5 hard days, but that leaves two days of rest. Also, his technique is quite powerful and efficient. Training and rest, there is no secret.

<bethb2>: Pete -- which races remain for Olympic qualifying? What was canceled -- Thunder Bay and anything else?

<factoryteam 2> Beth, There is a Gold Cup one day pursuit and nationals. The points will not be very good at these events, and qualification for the Olympics is becoming a tough topic in the ski world. Thunder Bay and Telemark were called off -- that was 63% of the distance races so far... I'm a distance specialist, and not real happy. I am not alone.

<bethb2>: So Fairbanks and Silver Star were the only ones completed?

<factoryteam 2>: Beth, all the races we have done this year are Fairbanks and Silverstar. The greatest points to be gained toward OL qualifying have been sprints under 2 minutes and spring series last spring. The sprints we have had do not at all resemble even the sprint course at the Olympics let alone, say a 50km race...

<bethb2>: Will all races at nationals count? Did you have doubts about the wisdom of this kind of selection process from the get-go?

<factoryteam 2>: Beth, yes all races at nationals will count. The issue is if there will be good enough points for a distance skier to move up in the rankings. This has been a big issue all along. It feels like the door is closing. I must have faith that a fast result will turn the right heads.

<moderator_todd> What Subaru do you drive and how many miles a year are the team vehicles driven?

<factoryteam 2> Regarding Subaru cars. I'm driving a '92 Loyale w/cheese, full power and 130 thousand miles. It goes like a dream...

<hgregor3>: Hi Guys, I have a little problem that maybe you can help me with. My son is junior in high school and also does biathlon. Problem is that he is 6' 6" with a 15 size boot. I have tried all over to get him a boot with no luck. I even called Salomon in France. Any ideas? I know that it will need to be special ordered, but from whom?

<factoryteam 2> Gregor, I've had a few folks ask this and it is something we have to work on. Please e-mail me at we answer@skipost.com... We'll get you some shoes one way or another...

<moderator_bob> FUN FACT: The Subaru Factory Team motto is: The Subaru Factory Team is living out their dreams; they want to help you live out yours. Visit us at www.dreamofit.com. For information on the sport of cross-country skiing please see us at www.skipost.com, and don't hesitate to e-mail your questions on the sport to us at we answer@skipost.com. We're here for you.

<vzero> What's better for midweek training during skate season (live in SF so not a lot of snow) - running or biking? Biking is my main sport but might as well do what makes the skiing faster, could use the break from the bike anyway...

<factoryteam 2> VZero. Running is the primary form of training for most skiers, but that is to some extent a matter of tradition. Skate skiers can gain great strength from cycling. You should probably do some of each.

<vzero> good my runner girlfriend will be happy..thnx

<moderator_todd> Next Question: Pete, What was the biggest difference between your expectations and Olympic reality?

<factoryteam 2> Olympic reality. That's a good one. Walking into the Olympic stadium as an Olympian was a long, long, long time dream. I would rather go to the Olympics than the moon, be an Olympian than be president, I'd rather cross-country ski until I'm 103 than have 103 million in the bank. Reality? I never knew what to expect, but to ski as fast as my body would allow me.

<reliot>: How much of a chance has Andrew Johnson of making the O Team?

<factoryteam 2> Hello Rick, Andrew has skied very well and he is on the development team which bodes well for selection. I'd say, if he keeps skiing like he has he is on the team. He is a great skier, and I hope he sticks with the sport for the next 4 to 8 years -- why not look at a medal down the road?

<moderator_bob> Thanks Andrew and Pete for an interesting and informative chat. Good luck at the upcoming Olympic trials and at the Olympics! Anything to say in closing?

<factoryteam 2> Dear Chatters. Go Ski, It is challenging, it is not a free ride down the mountain, but you will fall in love with it and do it for the rest of your life. Trust me.

<moderator_bob> Thanks to everyone for joining us tonight and thanks for all the interesting questions! Be sure to login and check back on www.edmunds.com for our upcoming chat events!

<moderator_bob> Drive safe everyone!

<moderator_todd> Or Ski safe - whatever your mode of transportation! :-)