Grinding edges on racing skis
In this video, former ski racer and freeride professional Matthias “Hauni” Haunholder provides insightful tips and tricks for sharpening the edges of racing skis. The process of tuning the edges of a racing ski is broadly similar to that of a freeride ski, a touring ski, or a children’s ski. However, the racing ski is clearly the type that is tuned and optimized most frequently.
Matthias, the expert, strongly recommends an edge angle of 86 degrees for a race ski to ensure a solid grip, even on the hardest surfaces!
But there’s more about achieving good edges on your race ski in this video!
When should the edges of a racing ski be sharpened?
For racing skiers and their high-performance racing skis, grinding the edges of the skis is crucial. The edges of the racing skis must be ground precisely in order to achieve optimal performance on the training or race track.
It is recommended to sharpen the ski edges before each training session to ensure they are in optimal condition. Moreover, the edges should be sharpened again after several runs or intense training days to restore their sharpness and performance. That the edges of a race ski need to be perfected once more before the race day goes without saying.
In summary, racing skiers should grind their ski edges:
- Before the start of the training season to ensure that the edges are in optimal condition and the edges are precisely at 86 degrees.
- Before every training session, it should be inspected and re-sharpened.
- After intensive training sessions, it’s important to check and optimize the edges.
- If changes in driving behavior or in the curves are noticed, the edge must be inspected and, if damaged, resharpened.
- To adjust the edge angle to different race tracks and snow conditions.
- Before important races or competitions, to ensure that the racing skis are optimally adjusted and that maximum performance can be achieved.
For racing skiers, the precision and sharpness of the ski edges is a decisive factor that can decide whether they win or lose on the racetrack. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the grinding of the ski edges to ensure the best possible performance!
Grinding ski edges – an edge tuning guide in 7 steps
Whether you are a professional racer or an avid recreational winter sports enthusiast, sharp ski edges are critical to a fun, safe and successful on-piste experience. We’ll explain how it works!
Tyrolit Life’s edge tuning kit for racing skis in detail
The Tyrolit Life Edge Tuning Kit offers a perfectly matched collection of tools to ensure sharp edges. It contains two stainless steel, three ceramic, and two elastic files that, when used together with the included stainless steel angle, deliver optimal results. The ceramic combo file, which can be used without an angle, is perfect for travel, and the hand-held edge eraser is excellent for removing rust, deburring, and cleaning.
For precise edge preparation, various files are available. The stainless steel files are utilized for preparing ski and snowboard edges. They facilitate efficient material removal and the accurate setting of the edge angle. The “coarse” stainless steel file, with its coarse teeth, is perfect for severely damaged edges, whereas the 2nd-cut file “fine” is suited for smoothing out worn edges
The fine tuning is accomplished with the three Tyrolit Life ceramic files. These files progressively deburr, smooth, and sharpen the edges. With “coarse,” “medium,” and “fine” grain sizes, you can customize the sharpening to match the snow conditions and guarantee a high-quality surface finish. The coarse and fine elastic file is designed for polishing and perfecting the edges, serving as an outstanding alternative to traditional diamond files. Their elasticity ensures a uniform contact area across all ski radii.
The stainless steel angle included in the set allows precise application of the files and offers different edge angle options from 86 to 88 degrees, depending on the selected set. All parts of the set can also be purchased individually. The Tyrolit Life edge tuning set, made in Tyrol, ensures a perfect grip thanks to an exact edge preparation.
New in the edge tuning assortment: The Sidewall Planer
The Tyrolit Life Sidewall Planer or Sidewall Cutter for Ski and Snowboards is an essential tool for DIY edge sharpeners. It enables precise trimming of the sidewall, which is crucial for exact filing work on the steel edge. This premium product can be perfectly used in conjunction with the edge tuning sets and offers the following features:
- A depth limitation by a brass set screw.
- Two cutting blades with different radii for versatile applications.
- Premium quality for reliable results.
- Not included in the set. Only available individually.
Have fun sharpening the ski edges - and, of course, even more fun with the results at the next race!
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