Telemark skiing

Telemark ski racer executing Telemark's unique lunging or "free heel" turn.

Telemark skiing is a skiing technique that combines elements of Alpine and Nordic skiing, using the rear foot to keep balance while pushing on the front foot to create a carving turn on downhill skis with toe-only bindings. Telemark skiing is named after the Telemark region of Norway, where the discipline originated.[1] Sondre Norheim is often credited for first demonstrating the turn in ski races, which included cross country, slalom, and jumping, in Norway around 1868. Sondre Norheim also experimented with ski and binding design, introducing side cuts to skis and heel bindings (like a cable).[2]

  1. ^ Halvor, Kleppen (1986). Telemarkskiing: Norway's Gift to the World. Oslo: Samlaget. ISBN 8252128548. OCLC 19461028.
  2. ^ Droste, Patrick; Strotmann, Ralf (2003). "Look Back". Telemark Skiing. Translated by Peter Musch. Oxford: Meyer & Meyer Sport. pp. 11–21. ISBN 9781841260822. OCLC 492425134.