Categorization of cross country skies with respect to shape and base structure characteristics

Offentlig prosjektsammendrag

Fluorocarbons as additives in ski wax has been debated for a long time due to both health risks and environmental pollution. As a consequence, fluorocarbons will from the coming winter season be banned within ski sports. This will initiate fundamental changes in the ski industry and in the market: A basic consequence for cross country (XC) skiing is that the relative importance of ski properties like shape and ski base structure will increase significantly for the individual skier. Skiplukker’n AS will start research with the aim of developing novel technology enabling automated identification of premium XC skis customized to individual skiers - across ski brands and independent of ski manufacturers. It will in particular focus on sliding performance. At a system level, the project will address quality assessment of both ski shape and ski base properties. This includes defining the major system parts and their interactions and data integration. Skis are complex physical products containing different materials - for example fiberglass, carbon and wood. The project will consider various methodological approaches for determining the relative importance of ski shape, including both traditional statistical analysis and Machine Learning. In the new ski wax regime, also the base structure topography will be relative more important for sliding than today. The various manual base rilling tools combined with different machine stone grinding solutions makes optimal base structure solutions a very complex task. Basically, this requires the development of a rigorous testing regime which involves measuring relative sliding performance. In order to get the most benefit from testing we will develop a standard for data collection and storage, including databases and apps for easy entering and organizing data. The ultimate outcome is knowledge enabling the provision of premium skis customized to skiers worldwide based on personal data and individual preferences.