Gustav Hindér

The outcome of a cross-country ski race is decided by many factors. Some are given by the surrounding environment; course profile, temperature, humidity and snow conditions, and some are changeable by the skier and its technicians; physical capability, pacing strategies, and ski properties (camber profile, grind and wax). To maximise the skier performance and increase the chance of reaching the podium, the skier and its technicians must carefully select skis and tactics suitable for the given course conditions.

This project aims to investigate how skier performance is affected by the varying surrounding conditions, above all the ski-snow friction, to increase the overall efficiency of the skier. Consequently, the relationship between the motion of the skier and the ski-snow friction, in combination with the course properties and ski characteristics, is considered.