Rick Halling is the Director of Nordic Racing for Atomic US. The summer preceding an Olympic year is a tense time for coaches, athletes and suppliers. The old saying that skiers are made in the summer definitely holds true. Both the quality and quantity of summer training are highly scrutinized in an Olympic year. Along with the training, athletes are reviewing their equipment needs and many are switching to what they feel are more competitive...
There is no question that the Tour de Ski grows in interest and popularity every year. It is also true that the Nordic World Championships are highly prestigious as the Nordic community gathers to watch its best. However, the Olympics are still number one as the event that Nordic athletes and their supporters want to win most. We have to admit that Nordic skiing is one of those sports that only receives truly extensive worldwide...
Rick Halling is the Nordic Director for Atomic USA Captain William McDonald of the Texas Rangers was greeted by the Mayor of Dallas as he stepped off the train in 1896. A major prize fight had been illegally organized that was about to take place in town and it appeared that a serious riot was about to pursue. The mayor had wired for help which led to the arrival of Capt. McDonald. Legend has it...
When the “How It’s Made” series was proposed, I planned to cover each piece of equipment (skis, boots, poles, etc.) with a 1000-1200 word overview of the process; however, I soon realized how naïve this notion was. So far, I’ve determined that each company that manufactures skis has its own methods, materials, and philosophies, and that each company therefore deserves a unique explanation. Fortunately, several ski companies responded to my inquiries. The Nordic ski industry...