Experimental methods to measure mechanical properties of cross country skis: Load-displacement and contact surface

Abstract

Initially, cross country skis were used to move from place to place through the snow in winter. Now mainly it is performed in recreational and competition environments. Its intuitive basic technique, the direct contact with nature and the health characteristics makes this sport a very attractive activity for a lot of people from a large range of ages. In competition, technique is brought to the extreme and it is conditioned by many characteristics. In this case equipment is very important for good performance and skiers look for the optimum ski. Here is where special test benches and tools are used to evaluate mechanic behaviors and match up the skier with the equipment. Methods to evaluate skis already exist, some of them old but yet reliable. However, in the last 20 years test methods have improved a lot with new devices and new data is obtained, which is decisive in the ski market and competition. This project focuses on different techniques to obtain mechanical properties of the cross country ski. The methods should allow the interested to evaluate the performance of the ski as well as match it up with the best skier.