I must V2 . . .

Now if you are not a nordic skier the title "I must V2" means nothing probably. However, if you are a rabid skier then you are probably thinking "of course you must V2."

For the uninitiated this is a discussion of the various ski techniques in skate skiing. The more techniques you have the more "gears" you have to ski with or ways to adapt to different terrain. At this point I must confess that I only know how to V1 . . . and to make matters even worse I only V1 to the right. I know how shocking that must be for many of you. It is, however, true that two years ago I skied the entire Kortie and the Great Bear Chase using only a right side V1. I'm sure that many of you are now scandalized that I have been allowed in Wave 5 of the Birkie. You can see why I find it shocking myself.

However, last night I started taking the first steps in learning the V2 and I now realize that I just never understood the technique. My attempts two years ago at the V2 bascially involved just poling faster while doing the V1. How silly is that!!! I thought it was a technique that I just wasn't fit enough to do. I just disbelieved anyone who said this was the technique for long, fast sections and kept on doing my V1. However, last night I realized that I was approaching the technique completely wrong.

I now know that I need to focus on balance on each ski and getting good glide. Only when I truly commit to balancing/gliding on each ski will I be able to V2. I also discovered that I should not transfer from one ski to the next until my arms/poles have reached my knee. Well, I can say truthfully that I have not been gliding even close to long enough in my feeble attempts to V2. I have always changed skis way too soon and it is not wonder that I never understood the V2.

For anyone reading who skis but also can't V2 check out this webpage for a more involved description of what I'm trying to impart. I also watched a video and had Dave offering up some tips (I think he was thrilled to finally see me concede that V2 might be important for me to learn). Anyway, this whole obsession with the V2 came about because I'm thinking of skiing the Noquemanon which has some gradual downhills where the V2 would be quite a useful technique to use if you don't want to die somewhere along the trail. Plus I don't want to be the only Wave 5 Kortie skier who is a "one trick pony" so I'm trying to diversify my pathetic ski skills.

Now if you see me at the 24 Hours of Telemark I imagine that I will just be doing my standard right sided V1 but maybe at some point in the night I will give the V2 a try. At this point I understand it from a theoretical point and I have done some dry land drills but that is it so I can't promise any on-snow skill. If we could get a snow storm around here . . . .