Editing Cross-country skiing (section)

==Techniques==
[[File:Rotchev-veerpalu-2006.jpg|Skiers employing step turns, while descending during a 2006 FIS World Cup Cross Country competition in Otepää, [[Estonia]].|thumb|right]]
[[file:Skiing In The Kauppi.webm|thumb|Video of skiers demonstrating a variety of techniques.]]
Cross-country skiing has two basic propulsion techniques, which apply to different surfaces: classic (undisturbed snow and tracked snow) and skate skiing (firm, smooth snow surfaces). The classic technique relies on a [[Ski wax|wax]] or texture on the ski bottom under the foot for [[Traction (engineering)|traction]] on the snow to allow the skier to slide the other ski forward in virgin or tracked snow. With the skate skiing technique a skier slides on alternating skis on a firm snow surface at an angle from each other in a manner similar to ice skating. Both techniques employ poles with baskets that allow the arms to participate in the propulsion. Specialized equipment is adapted to each technique and each type of terrain. A variety of turns are used, when descending.<ref name="Rees"/>

Poles contribute to forward propulsion, either simultaneously (usual for the skate technique) or in alternating sequence (common for the classical technique as the "diagonal stride"). Double poling is also used with the classical technique when higher speed can be achieved on flats and slight downhills than is available in the diagonal stride, which is favored to achieve higher power going uphill.<ref name="Rees"/><ref name=pole/>

===Classic===
The classic style is often used on prepared trails (pistes) that have pairs of parallel grooves (tracks) cut into the snow. It is also the most usual technique where no tracks have been prepared. With this technique, each ski is pushed forward from the other stationary ski in a striding and gliding motion, alternating foot to foot. With the "diagonal stride" variant the poles are planted alternately on the opposite side of the forward-striding foot; with the "kick-double-pole" variant the poles are planted simultaneously with every other stride. At times, especially with gentle descents, double poling is the sole means of propulsion.<ref name="Rees">{{Cite book | edition = 3d | publisher = Copp C. Pitman | isbn = 978-0-7730-4045-8 | oclc = 300405310 | last = Rees | first = David| title = Cross-country skiing: touring and competition | location = Toronto | year = 1981}}</ref> On uphill terrain, techniques include the "side step" for steep slopes, moving the skis perpendicular to the fall line, the "herringbone" for moderate slopes, where the skier takes alternating steps with the skis splayed outwards, and, for gentle slopes, the skier uses the diagonal technique with shorter strides and greater arm force on the poles.<ref name="Rees"/>

===Skate skiing===
{{Main articles|Skate skiing}}
With skate skiing, the skier provides propulsion on a smooth, firm snow surface by pushing alternating skis away from one another at an angle, in a manner similar to [[ice skating]]. Skate-skiing usually involves a coordinated use of poles and the upper body to add impetus. Three common techniques are "V1", "V2" and "V2 alternate". In "V1" the skier pushes with a double pole plant each time the ski is extended on a temporarily "dominant" side, this technique is optimal for climbing. In "V2 alternate" the skier performs the double pole plant before the "dominant" ski is extended, this technique allows for maintaining a higher speed and is often used on slightly downhill terrain. In "V2" the skier performs the double pole plant each time the ski is extended on either side, on flat ground and in slight inclines this technique is often the fastest and most efficient of the 3. Skiers climb hills with these techniques by widening the angle of the "V" and by making more frequent, shorter strides and more forceful use of poles.<ref>{{cite web | last = Hindman | first = Steve | title = Technique & Training: Three steps to skating | work = Cross Country Skier Magazine | date = December 2008 | url = http://www.crosscountryskier.com/magazine/08_dec/technique.htm | access-date = 2014-10-20 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141017042359/http://www.crosscountryskier.com/magazine/08_dec/technique.htm | archive-date = 17 October 2014}}</ref> A variant of the technique is the "marathon skate" or "Siitonen step", where the skier leaves one ski in the track while skating outwards to the side with the other ski.<ref name="skixc1"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://crosscountryskitechnique.com/the-early-development-of-skate-skiing/|title=Swedish Olympic Champion Recalls the Early Development of Skate Skiing – Cross Country Ski Technique|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-18|archive-date=19 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219020144/http://crosscountryskitechnique.com/the-early-development-of-skate-skiing/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Turns===
Turns, used while descending or for braking, include the [[snowplough turn|snowplough]] (or "wedge turn"),<ref name=PSIA>{{cite web | last = PSIA Standards Committee | title = Cross Country Certification Standards 2014 | publisher = Professional Ski Instructors of America | date = June 2014 | url = http://www.psia-nw.org/wp-content/uploads/PSIA_XC_Standards-2014_FINAL.pdf | access-date = 2014-10-22 | archive-date = 7 November 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161107220555/http://www.psia-nw.org/wp-content/uploads/PSIA_XC_Standards-2014_FINAL.pdf | url-status = live }}</ref> the [[stem christie]] (or "wedge christie"),<ref name=PSIA/> [[parallel turn]], and the [[Telemark turn]]. The step turn is used for maintaining speed during descents or out of track on flats.<ref name=Telemark>{{cite news | last = Fabricant | first = Florence | title = The Novice; Mastering the Practical Curtsy, on Skis | work = The New York Times | date = 26 January 1999 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/26/health/the-novice-mastering-the-practical-curtsy-on-skis.html | access-date = 2014-10-21 | archive-date = 3 January 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170103080909/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/26/health/the-novice-mastering-the-practical-curtsy-on-skis.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name=Turns>{{cite web | last = Hindman | first = Steve | title = Going Downhill | department = Training & Technique | work = Cross Country Skier Magazine | date = 2003 | url = http://www.crosscountryskier.com/training_technique_jan_2003.html | access-date = 2014-10-21 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141023045014/http://www.crosscountryskier.com/training_technique_jan_2003.html | archive-date = 23 October 2014}}</ref>