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Racers average 30-45 pole plants per minute. Over the course of the 52km American Birkebeiner the winner may lift his poles more than 5,000 times. A skier completing the race in 3hrs. could have poled 7,000 times and a 4hr. skier might have lifted their poles 10,000 times.
Extra weight is not fun! If you and a friend ski a 3-hour Birkie and the friend uses Swix Triac's and you have the swix CT4's, you are lifting an additional 3oz. per stroke. If each stroke moves your pole 5ft., this equates to curling a gallon of milk in each hand 375 times during the race. Will you still beat your friend?
The most important shaft properties are overall weight, swing weight, stiffness, and strength. Swing weight refers to the pendulum motion of a pole plant and how more weight near the pole tip requires more energy from the skier. The stiffer the pole the more energy goes into forward movement. Strength refers to the durability of the pole.
Skate Pole Length = (Height - 20cm)
Classic Pole Length = (Height - 30cm)
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