2012 Nordic Handbook the Science of Skiing
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2012 NORDIC HANDBOOK THE SCIENCE OF SKIING What drives innovation and progression? Inspiration? Desire to challenge the norms? For Madshus, it’s an obsession with understanding the dynamics at play behind every piece of equipment and how it’s used. Relating the science of skiing to the variables of product design has continually pushed Madshus to think outside the confines of traditional materials and processes. Knowing the science of skiing enables us to expand the horizons and possibilities of Nordic ski, boot and pole construction – creating new standards for performance, comfort and fun for the next generation. MadshuS THrOugh the YEarS Attention to detail has defined Madshus skis for over 100 years. From the bare hands construction in the beginning to today’s finely-tuned production process, our dedication to selecting the highest quality materials and producing the finest skis has never wavered. 1906 - Martin Madshus starts manufacturing skis in his father’s barn in Vardal. 1928 - Madshus wins its first Olympic medal – no other ski manufacturer has won medals in as many different Olympic cities as Madshus. Increased demand for the skis leads the company to move to Gjøvik. 1936 - Madshus introduces the first glued sandwich construction skis. After a fire in Gjøvik, Madshus relocates to Lillehammer. 1952 - With years of ski manufacturing knowledge, Olympic medals take off with Madshus athletes, such as Simon Slåttvik. 1960 - Håkon Brusveen medals in the Olympics for Madshus. 1972 - Madshus moves to its current home in Biri, 20km south of Lillehammer. 1974 - Madshus begins fiberglass ski production. 1976 - Moelven Industries buys the Madshus factory in Biri. 1979 - Madshus introduces the double- box concept for durable, reliable fiberglass construction. 1987 - Madshus buys Landsem’s Norwegian ski factory. 1988 - Drawn to the engineering capabilities and innovations of Madshus, K2 purchases the company from Moelven, linking up the two ski manufacturers for alpine and Nordic. 1989 - First alpine ski production since 1964 1993 - Madshus introduces its first cap construction skis, with reduced weight and increased performance. 1994 - Thomas Alsgaard wins medals for Madshus in the Lillehammer Winter Olympic games, one of two gold medals for Madshus in their home country. 1995 - Madshus skis continue to grow, now sold in 17 countries. 1997 - Madshus becomes number two worldwide in Nordic sales. 1998 - At the Nagano Winter Olympic Games, Madshus wins 4 Gold, 4 Silver, and 1 Bronze medal. 1998 - With Nordic ski manufacturing increasing annually, Madshus ends alpine ski production to focus on its core business. 1998 - Madshus athletes Thomas Alsgaard and Engen Vik win World Cup overall in cross country and nordic combined. 1999 - The World Championships in Austria give Madshus skiers 3 Gold, 3 Silver and 1 Bronze medals. 2000 - Madshus introduces a new race skating ski with sidecut and 3-dimensional top surface for incredible response. 2001 - Madshus introduces 3D shaping to its new classic racing ski. 2002 - For maximum grip and glide, Madshus creates the MultiGrip Vario base pattern, with different zones for grip and transition in the classic stride. 2003 - Madshus wins 24 World Championship medals for its skis in cross country and biathlon, with by 3 Gold and 12 medals overall in the Valdi Fiemma Cross Country World Championships. 2004 - A fantastic year for Madshus athletes on the World Cup results in 63 first-place finishes, 39 second-place finishes, and 40 third-place finishes for Madshus. 2005 - Madshus storms through the World Championship Biathlon and Cross Country events with 11 Gold, 6 Silver and 6 Bronze medals. 2006 - To celebrate its 100-year anniversary, Madshus launches an innovative line of Nordic boots to accompany its renowned skis, and documents the brand’s iconic history with its anniversary book “Setting First Tracks” 2006 - The introduction of Madshus’ new boot line is proven at the Torino Winter Olympics, with a combine 50 medals on Madshus skis and boots. 2007 - Following up on the success of its boot launch, Madshus introduces a unique line of Nordic poles to become a complete Nordic equipment supplier of skis, boots, and poles. The line is once again incredibly successful at the World Championships in Antholz, where Madshus brings home 51 medals on Madshus skis, boots and poles, including its new top-end ski for the next year, the new Nanosonic. 2007 - Madshus athletes bring home Overall World Cup titles in several disciplines Michael Greis GER - Biathlon, Hannu Manninen FIN - Nordic Combined and Jerry Ahrlin SWE – Worldloppet. 2008 - With 11 Gold medals on skis and 12 Gold medals on ski boots, Madshus takes 70% of the total number of medals in Biathlon Championships in Östersund Sweden. 2009 - Madshus athlete Ole Einar Bjoerndalen takes 4 Gold medals in Peyong Chang South Korea in an impressive performance for the brand, which counts 27 medals overall. 2009 - Madshus introduces a new camber control system in production that provides a new standard of consistency in production. 2010 - Madshus becomes the first manufacturer to remove PVC from its entire boot line, using softshell constructions to achieve unsurpassed fit and reducing impact on the winter environment. In skis, Madshus redefines innovation with new low-profile 3D skate and classic ski constructions, and introduces a series of Cross Country Downhill skis for touring and turning. 2011 - Madshus introduces a new tip splay technology that provides unprecedented glide and speed. A redesigned Nano Carbon 100 UHM Pole is introduced as the lightest and stiffest Nordic pole ever. TAB The Nordic Skier Nordic TechNiques CLASSIC SKIING The classic style is the traditional technique for cross country or Nordic skiing. When skiing on prepared trails, long, narrow and light skis are generally used. When skiing away from prepared trails, a wider ski is sometimes used. Classic skis come with either waxable or waxless bases for grip and glide. SKATE SKIING Skate skiing or skating, involves the decisive weight transfer from one ski to the other similar to the movement of an ice skater. Skate skiing can be done either with skis specifically designed for skating or “combi” skis for both skating and classic styles. Similarly, specialized skating boots or combi boots can be used. Skate skis tend to be shorter and stiffer than those used for the classic technique and poles are longer. Neither waxless bases nor grip wax are used. Skating technique is only suitable for use on prepared tracks. Classic Skate The Nordic cusTomer RACING The primary concern for both the Skating and Classic style racing skier is performance and there is no compromise to achieve it. They seek well- groomed courses and their equipment is expressly designed for speed. This skier enjoys competitive fast-paced skiing over longer distances with an appreciation for fast, high-performance skis. Often this skier is also an avid cyclist and there exist many parallels between the avid cyclist and the race skier. Madshus Champion Series skis are the result of the cooperation between our top athletes, engineers and production staff to give you the best possible ski experience. Precision core shaping and innovative tip geometries complement specific base materials and finishes for efficient power transfer and the fastest performing skis on any kind of snow. SPORT/FITNESS These are Skating and Classic style skiers who are looking for performance in addition to control and comfort. Like the race skier, they will also use wellgroomed courses, seek performance equipment but are not regular competitors and are more value conscious. The sport/fitness customer is also analogous to the road biker and their apparel is likely more fitness oriented and looser than that of the racer. Madshus Race Performance skis offer high- performance racing designs with greater value for citizen race, active skiers, and dedicated training. Benefitting from the technologies developed with our World Cup athletes, the Race Performance skis use narrow racing shapes to provide speed, while specially designed sidecuts offer excellent stability on groomed tracks. TOURING These skiers use classic waxable or waxless skis, generally sized in wider widths and shorter lengths for greater maneuverability, stability, grip, and comfort. They ski on surfaces ranging from packed trails or man-made tracks to flat or rolling terrain. This customer is not out for the competitive fitness aspect of skiing, but looks for the experience and joy of getting outside with comfort and ease. They look for product that blends both quality and good value. Madshus Touring Series skis are equally at home on groomed tracks and unprepared mountain trails. Their slightly wider widths provide stability, while Triaxial and Torsion Cap constructions provide reliability and safety. Bridging between classic Nordic skiing and Backcountry exploration, the Touring Series are versatile skis for those wanting to spend the day surrounded by nature. BACKCOUNTRY Using wider, longer, traditional length waxable and waxless skis, this customer requires float, grip and glide, without compromising control on the downhills. These skiers travel off piste in fresh or unpacked snow, with a focus on touring and covering distance, rather than turn-oriented skiing like Cross Country downhill or Alpine Touring. Frequently an outdoor customer like a hiker or backpacker, they enjoy the experience of being outside, communing with nature and exploring rolling terrain from a Nordic perspective.