PREFACE.
Since the first edition of this book was produced two years ago popular interest in the sport has increased by leaps and bounds. We have endeavoured to keep pace with the times, and the present volume is an attempt to give a really complete account of the sport, which will be useful to beginners and experts alike. To the historical part has been added a chapter on Continental ski-running, whilst the technical part has been remodelled, enlarged, and, we trust, rendered more lucid and complete. Wherever necessary new diagrams have been added, and the whole-page illustrations have been chosen with a view to indicating the great beauty and variety of the snow regions of the earth.
Here and there actual alterations of views previously expressed will be found. We make no apology for these, but desire frankly to acknowledge our errors, and to thank those friendly critics who have pointed them out. With ignorant criticism we have been very little troubled, and with actual hostility simply not at all.
We are further greatly indebted to the many friends who have rendered us positive assistance. The frontispiece is from Herr Halström’s wonderful picture “Paa Skare,” which that gentleman has given us unqualified leave to reproduce. The ski-runner which it depicts also serves as a central figure for the cover, designed by Mr. Nico Jungman. To those who have kindly permitted us to copy their photographs we hereby take the opportunity of expressing our best thanks. The outline of the Solberg Hill is from an accurate drawing by Herr Von de Beauclair published in Ski, to the editor of which paper we are also indebted for the drawings illustrating Herr Sohm’s detachable seal’s-skin and climbing-irons. To Herr S. Höyer-Ellefsen, Herr Fredrik Juell, Herr Trygve Smith, Herr Durban Hansen, and numerous other skilful Norwegian runners we are grateful for many a useful hint and word of advice, whilst we owe to Herr Zdarsky a valuable practical demonstration of his methods of teaching. Messrs. C. W. Richardson, E. H. Wroughton, and H. P. Cox have been kind enough to help with the actual production of the little work, and if there be any others who we have omitted to mention we would hereby beg them to accept at once both our apologies and thanks.
E. C. R.
November, 1905.