Hiding in the slipstream
Drafting, i.e. taking shelter from the wind in the slipstream of some one else, is a technique in long skating. This event, Vikingarannet, is 90 kilometers so drafting can be a big help. It works just like in bicycling: the lead person does a lot more work breaking the wind while the others rest behind. Each member of the "pace-line" takes turns being the leader. This is only two people but frequently the pace-lines are 8 or 10.
This is a cropped version of www.flickr.com/photos/question_everything/3283798297/.
Hiding in the slipstream
Drafting, i.e. taking shelter from the wind in the slipstream of some one else, is a technique in long skating. This event, Vikingarannet, is 90 kilometers so drafting can be a big help. It works just like in bicycling: the lead person does a lot more work breaking the wind while the others rest behind. Each member of the "pace-line" takes turns being the leader. This is only two people but frequently the pace-lines are 8 or 10.
This is a cropped version of www.flickr.com/photos/question_everything/3283798297/.