FIS online rule book states: 314.1.1 "Classical technique includes the diagonal techniques, the double poling techniques, herringbone techniques without a gliding phase, downhill techniques and turning techniques. Single or double skating is not allowed."

We all know we can squeeze a step turn for an imperceptible advantage. Tough to get called on that.

It is accepted that we can change lanes with a skate motion. If we do a lot of these, say every 100 to 300 meters, it provides a nice break in the action of otherwise relentless double poling, and becomes a recovery technique. Is this legal ? I am not a ski lawyer, so I can't really say where to draw the line there, but it seems like a grey area. I have certainly seen this used to advantage, as it is difficult to enforce on a trail running through the forest with very few witnesses where honesty and fair play are the only things protecting the integrity of the race.

When we see a ski racer throw down four or five or more consecutive marathon skate motions, the line has obviously been crossed. There is nothing "grey area" about that. It's cheating.

We also can easily recognize a flagrant V1 skate in a classic race. Whether it's one stroke or a series, it is not a herringbone. A herringbone is "without a gliding phase." When we see a ski racer execute a series of V1 skates up a straight hill with no turns, or worst of all on the flats, this is no "grey area." It's cheating.

When we ski over the snow in a classic race, and see the long glide tracks of an obvious skater, we know we are being beaten today by a cheater.

From various reports it seems like 5 or 6 racers, at least, skated unfairly at Black Mountain, and the same has been witnessed at other classic races this season.

When a ski racer is called on a flagrant skating infraction whether by fellow competitors repeatedly, or bystanders, that ski racer should either abandon that race with honor and skate in without the race bib (we ALL miss the kick wax!), or they should be DSQ'd.

Evidently the ski racers participating in the Michigan Cup have become complacent about skating infractions, and this has resulted in an unfortunate and, I hope, temporary atmosphere where cheating has become acceptable. If we want to continue to meaningfully contest races in the classic format, we must restore integrity to our own race results.

How can we easily curtail the skating in classic races? Have race directors at the start of races verbally spell out the rules and the acceptable option of removing your bib. This should help and not add to anyone's organizational burden.

Our position is not "uptight." A clean race is something the whole group can be proud of. It shows GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP and good skill. It's not a negative position at all. In particular, a racer should be rewarded for mastering a proper herringbone. Those who can't do it as well should accept going slower, not making up for lack of skill by shifting their body position and including glide.

Cheating undermines the integrity of the finish results of the race. It adulterates the entire race. It is a completely hollow result for the skaters, and results in a falsely lower finish by the fair players finishing behind the cheaters. It is a significant insult to yourself and your fellow skiers. Stop skating. End the cheating.