BACKSHOP
Hey, do you think this
will fit in my carry-on?
YOUR RACE SKIS deserve plenty of TLC if you expect them to deliver the
speed and performance you need to reach the podium. You probably take
extra time to tune them precisely, wax them frequently and store them care-
fully to keep them in top race shape. You should also take extra care with
them when travelling — to race camps in the summer and to races in the
winter. Here are a few tips from some experienced pros who have circled the
globe working with World Cup and Olympic champions.
before or after check-in. Although I don’t travel with multiple-ski bags (bur-
rito-type bags) any longer, I recommend securely taping over the ski strap;
but make sure ski straps are dry before packing skis. Damp ski straps will
result in rusty edges.”
Have Skis,
Off-season training often means airplanes; here’s how to pack your boards BY JACK MOORE
Will Travel
Jim Schaffner, former race director at Salomon North America;
founder and owner of the Start Haus in Truckee, Calif.
Randy Graves, former Rossignol U.S. Team and World Cup race
service technician, junior program coordinator and alpine product manager; current Green Mountain Valley School teacher,
coach and race service technician.
Raise your brakes up: “I’ve found that much of the airline-related damage
(and van transport, too), where ski bags are both stacked and often dropped
on top of each other, comes from ski brakes getting smacked against ski
sidewalls and edges. I’ve often seen “dimpling” or puckering of the ski base,
which, on closer inspection, is actually edge and sidewall damage right where
the brake is located. For this reason, I always raise the brakes up and secure
them with sturdy rubber bands when traveling — or, if possible, remove the
brakes entirely.”
Remember the weighting game: “Base protectors provide excellent pro-
tection, but add weight, which is an important consideration these days with
increasing airline luggage charges.”
Check your baggage: “Carefully inspect the bottom of your ski bags. If they
look thin or worn, then ski tails or tips will more likely get damaged. Hard
plastic cases like Sportubes provide good protection, but limit the number of
pair of skis you can pack.”
Wax on: “A good, thick layer of wax on ski bases helps protect against
abrasion, friction and rubbing together during travel. It also helps protect
against edge rust in case ski bags get stacked outside in the rain and are wet
Use ski straps: “With increasing airline baggage charges these days, many
racers are switching from four pairs to three pairs of ski bags to reduce
weight. For the same reason, they’re often forgoing the use of base protec-
tors, switching instead to four padded ski straps. Place these straps at ski
tips and tails, as well as in front of and behind bindings. This will keep bases
from touching and rubbing against each other. Try to use ski straps with wa-
ter-repellent; and use dry foam pads, which otherwise absorb moisture that
can cause edge rust. The same is true when using base protectors — make
sure they are dry.”
Consider removing your bindings: “Some racers are travelling with fewer
skis than before due to increased baggage and overweight charges, and more
racers are removing their bindings before loading their ski bags. Then they
either switch one set of bindings between different skis, or carry extra bind-
ings in their regular check-in luggage. Atomic skis are the easiest to remove
bindings from, since they slide on or off the binding plate track easily. Other
brands don’t have this feature, so bindings need to be spun on or off with a
Posidriv screwdriver — but be sure to have a qualified technician double-
check binding settings when re-installing them.”
Blake Lewis, former Atomic race technician for 1984 Olympic
downhill winner Bill Johnson; current technician for junior and
master racers at World Cup Service Center in Bellevue, Wash.
JULIE SHIPMAN (2)
Stash and ship: “Transporting gear for pro ski technicians is an age-old
issue, and especially if you have lots of luggage such as skis, tools, benches,
