I'm headed to SilverStar for the first races of the season. It will also be my first, and possibly only pursuit/skiathlon race of the year. The pursuit is the race that Becki Scott won at the Olympics in 2002. In case you are unfamiliar with the pursuit, you first classic then switch skis and poles to skating - like a triathlon. But if you are on Salomon equipment there aren't yet boots available for this! In Canada, only the National Team has access to the boots presently. There's not a big market for this, since there's currently only one pursuit race a year. That has lead many skiers to make their own pursuit boots. How? Easy...
The Tools you need.
You'll want to lengthen and deepen the grooves in the sole to make the forefoot more flexible, like a classic boot.
You can cut out plastic to the bottom of the yellow plastic, but don't go deeper or you risk cutting through the sole.
Removing the cuff will also make the boots more comfortable when your ankle flexes forward during classic skiing, but still provides the lateral stability for skating.
Megan making her pursuit boots.
Interesting Reading. . .
"Pack your paddle."