But... when there is no snow... do we stop skiing? You don't have to, because we can do it! As? Skiing on grass.
Although in Spain there are very few people who have practiced it, it is a sport that has some relevance in northern and central Europe, especially in Germany and Austria, although there are also tests in Italy, Slovakia and Turkey .
Going back in time, the first news we have of grass skiing is located in Austria in 1893, where a type of "rolling ski" was designed that must not have been very successful. But in Germany things changed, mainly due to the support of Emperor Josef. In 1956, a prototype was presented in Stuttgart with which they could go down the same slopes and routes that were done in winter on snow. This first model was not taken very seriously, but its builder was not discouraged and by 1963 he had developed about 30 models given the large number of changes that were introduced. Grass skiing was born.
But it wasn't going to be easy. In Germany and the rest of Central Europe, people were still very skeptical about the new sport, and there were even problems with the German federation, which did not agree with the use of the term "skiing". This didn't matter to fans who enjoyed grass skiing regardless of what others wanted to call it.
Due to television reports it became known in the United States and Japan, where a great fan following arose, so in 1965 the first international test was organized in Owen Teck.
In 1970 a committee was formed to organize the European Cup events. In 1976 the International Grass Ski Federation was founded and the first World Championships were organized, followed by those in 1981, 1983 and 1985. But it was also in 1985 when the big change occurred at the institutional level. The FIS, after long discussions, decided to take over grass skiing, organizing World Championships in Nobeyama 1987 (Japan), Austria in 1989, Bursa 1991 (Türkiye), Aciago 1993 (Italy), Kalnica 1995 (Slovakia) and Muestair 1997 (Switzerland).
In order to understand all this a little better, we are going to see some of the technical characteristics of both the track and the material to be used in competition.
- Track characteristics
The starting gate will be carpeted along its entire length, with an area as flat as possible in which the runner will be located and a ramp with an inclination of no more than 12%. In addition, the part where the poles rest will be reinforced to achieve the proper momentum.
Slalom
There will be a slope of between 60 and 120 m to adapt the route to men and women. The length of said route will be between 250 and 500 m where there will be at least 30 doors (45 maximum).
Giant
The difference in altitude will be between 80 and 150 m. The distance of the route will be between 400 and 750 m. The number of doors will depend on the difference in level, being calculated by an appropriate formula and allowing 5 more or less doors. The distance between two successive doors must be at least 10 m. This test will be held in two rounds.
Super Giant
Elevation difference between 100 and 180 m with a route length between 500 and 900 m. At least 12 doors will be placed (normally many more will be placed) with the minimum distance between them being 12 m.
Parallel
In parallel tests, the difference in level must be between 40 and 60 m where each runner will have to pass through between 10 and 20 doors. Furthermore, many of these routes usually have a jump in the middle of the route.
- Material
All models have a maximum length of 80 cm and a height of 12 cm. Although unauthorized material cannot be used in competition, at the end of the competition an area will be designated where material tests can be carried out, disqualifying those who leave the marked area.
The helmet is mandatory in all children and youth events. In the general category, men and women, it is only mandatory in the Super-G, and is optional in the Slalom and the Giant.
In the maintenance of the ski, due to the need to be properly lubricated, any substance may be used as long as it is biodegradable and non-polluting, however, cleaning and greasing the skis can only be done in areas specifically prepared for it.
We must not forget that like any sport included in the FIS, the general procedures must be followed both by the competitors in terms of publicity and respect for the technicians designated by the organizing federation, as well as by the technicians to be properly trained in regulation and safety issues.
