Opinion Archives - Page 2 of 7

All I Want for Xmas is a New Wax Bench by Scott “Bjorn” Cummings

In March of 2016, we published an article penned by Scott “Bjorn” Cummings, a Postbaccalaureate student working towards his Academic Behavorial Strategist K-12 (ABS) Special Education License at the University of...

More Than Medals: Clean Sport in the ‘Icarus’ Era (Op-Ed)

Editor’s Note: The following thoroughly cited opinion piece, prompted by the 2017 'Icarus' documentary, was written by Maks Zechel, a 20-year-old Canadian cross-country skier who spent the 2017/2018 race season training...

What’s Happening as Russia’s Sochi Scandal Winds Down: An Editorial

FasterSkier would like to thank Fischer Sport USA, Madshus USA, Concept2, Boulder Nordic Sport and Swix Sport US for their generous support, which made this coverage possible. The following is an...

FasterSkier’s 12 Days of FBD Christmas: Day 12

Editor’s note: This is it -- the final installment of the 12-day holiday gift guide, authored by the one and only “FBD”, our gear-review guru. See also: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day...

FasterSkier’s 12 Days of FBD Christmas: Day 11

Editor’s note: For the second-straight year, we’re presenting another 12-day holiday gift guide, brought to you by the one and only “FBD”, our gear-review guru. See also: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day...

FasterSkier’s 12 Days of FBD Christmas: Day 9

FasterSkier’s 12 Days of FBD Christmas: Day 7

Editor’s note: For the second-straight year, we’re presenting another 12-day holiday gift guide, brought to you by the one and only “FBD”, our gear-review guru. Kicking the series off, recommendations for...

FasterSkier’s 12 Days of FBD Christmas: Day 6

FasterSkier’s 12 Days of FBD Christmas: Day 4

FasterSkier’s 12 Days of FBD Christmas: Day 2

Editor’s note: It’s here! For the second-straight year, we’re presenting another 12-day holiday gift guide, brought to you by the one and only “FBD”, our gear-review guru. Kicking the series off,...

Op-Ed: The Substance of Perspective

(The following op-ed is an opinion piece submitted by an author unassociated with FasterSkier. Viewpoints do not necessarily reflect that of FasterSkier’s staff or sponsors. We fully support open dialogue and encourage...

2017 American Birkie: An Experience I’ll Never Forget

The following firsthand account was written by FasterSkier intern Ian Tovell, who attended this year's American Birkebeiner in February, which was canceled due to lack of snow. Instead, the 2017 BirkieFest was held on...

After Jamaican Doping News, Johaug (and Others) Should Be Mad

Plenty of athletes, such as Therese Johaug, have been suspended from sport based on the concept of "strict liability": they are responsible for any prohibited substance which enters their body. The IOC has forgone that principle in dealing with Jamaican sprinters at the 2008 Olympics.

Guest Editorial: Why Norway Withdrew Olympic Bid, and What We Can Learn

John Aalberg, senior consultant to the Oslo Bid Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Games, weighs in on why Norway pulled out of the game this month, while encouraging Salt Lake to aim for 2026.

Rollerskiing for the Rest of Us? A Beginner’s Guide

Are your a winter warrior but springtime sally when it comes to skiing? This author asks the question that several not-so-elite skiers might be dying to ask: are rollerskis right for us mortals, and if so, how do we use them without risking road rash?

Consequences of Northug’s Mess Up Can Be a Lesson (Editorial)

One author's take on the whole Northug fiasco, including the consequences it could hold for the 28-year-old Norwegian skiing star.

Adventures in Birkie Land: A First-Timer’s Experience at the American Birkebeiner

This past weekend, nearly the entirety of the adult population of Midwestern skiers made their way to Hayward for the annual get-together of the ski community: The Birkie. The American Birkebeiner (or Birkie, for short), is the biggest ski race in North America. For many skiers, the race represents their culmination of training for the whole year. Read a first-timer's perspective on the race, the trail, and Birkie Fever.