Ski racing has long been a sport where all the components required for a racer to be fast and quick down a course, are vital. The Norwegian team are one that work closely with their clothing supplier, Helly Hansen and this relationship sees the little adjustments work their way down into the clothing that retailers see in the shops.
In Soelden for the opening of the World Cup, the Norway team sat down with the world's media to talk about how things were leading into the summer.Henrik Kristoffersen explained, in between questions regarding the return to racing of the boss of his ski brand, Van Deer - Red Bull, Marcel Hirscher and also questions regarding his ex teammate Lucas Braathen, Kristoffersen also fielded questions regarding how much work he puts into the research on his race suit.
"It is more about the speed suits," he explained, "for me it is more about where to put the padding for the technical suits."
When it comes to the over suits, the women's team have been providing ideas regarding where pockets should go and the size of them. Keeping goggle lenses clean is hugely important for racers and making sure that the pockets can fit goggles is vital as racers head towards the start area.
The size of the sleeve around the hand is also another area that racers have provided ideas for and then added the stretchy cuffs so as to keep arms warm but also allowing speed of taking on and off. All this has passed down to the retail suits from the Official Norway team suits. It is the few days that the Norwegian team racers spend at the Helly Hansen offices at the end of the season that sees these modifications work their way onto suits found in the shops.
While Kristoffersen is very much focussed on his own programme and little team, he is renown for constantly looking for the best from his equipment. Every little advantage he can get, he looks for. This includes making sure that the race suit gives him the best freedom in movement as well as keeping him warm.
Timon Haugan is one of the rising stars of the Norwegian team yet his opinion is also respected when it comes to working on the design and research of his kit. "If I can get a few hundredths advantage from the equipment, this is great, but better skiing is where the big advantage comes from," he explained.
When it comes to the Helly Hansen clothing, Haugan explained "We have meetings once or twice a year where we give feedback about what we like and what can be changed. From the beginning everything has been pretty good I think. There have been a few small details to make things even better," he added.
Haugan and the rest of the Norwegian team work closely with their kit manager at the Norway Ski team who then works with the manufacturer in France and Helly Hansen. During the summer is when the suits are tested so that when the races start, the fit, the feel and the movement is great and that the speed is not compromised.
Such is the value of the speed that suits can provide, Haugan and the rest of the Norwegian team will use a suit for two to three races before changing them.
When you have a brand like the Norwegian Ski Team, it is little wonder that Helly Hansen are proud to be supporting them. Taking all three places on the podium in the opening World Cup Giant Slalom goes a long way in returning the faith and support that Helly Hansen put into Team Norway!