The role of technology and waxing

What about technology?  Both from an equipment and waxing perspective it plays a significant role in the sport.  In cross-country skiing there are more variables to deal with than in most endurance sports, so more difficult to win consistently.  Waxing technicians need to understand the snow conditions in order create optimal grip and glide.  Elite skiers have a team of snow technicians and traveling labs to provide them with the best technology in this area.  Even then, they don't always get it right!  To make things more complicated, snow conditions can be quite different on various parts of a course.  This is daunting area for most of us, although the basic principles are simple.  Despite the technology and analysis that goes into waxing there is still an element of trial and error.  You strap your skis on and see if they work well.  So does that make it interesting, fun or frustrating?  All three of course.