How to measure the slipperiness of skis

to get a little bit harder. For decades, those trying to go slip-sliding away have been able to call on some (legal) chemical help. Fluorinated ski wax hugely reduces friction with the snow and its introduction has revolutionised much of the sport, sending speeds soaring and times tumbling. But concerns about health and environmental impacts of the fluorocarbon additives have prompted the International Ski Federation, the body that sets rules and governs competitions, to crack down. Top-level skiers this season were stopped from using a wax chemical class called C8, and a fuller ban on all fluorinated help is promised once officials work out a way to quickly detect it on skis.