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#1
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Slalom, What is my Problem?
For anyone here who has an interest in ski racing, you will know that
there are many different types of it. I personally compete in Slalom and GS type courses. I am relatively proficient in GS, having placed 15th in the state race last year, but for some reason, I just can't grasp slalom. My problem with it is that in the beginning of each race, I begin going down through the course, and usually do very well within the first 3 gates, but after a couple more, I find myself getting later and later with each gate. I tend to have to throw my skis right sideways so that I can slow down and start fresh. This is the worst problem with me and if I can fix this I feel that I will be able to do very well with these races. What can I do to fix my problem and do better on the course? Thank you so much for any input! -brock |
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#2
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Slalom, What is my Problem?
Brock wrote:
For anyone here who has an interest in ski racing, you will know that there are many different types of it. I personally compete in Slalom and GS type courses. I am relatively proficient in GS, having placed 15th in the state race last year, but for some reason, I just can't grasp slalom. My problem with it is that in the beginning of each race, I begin going down through the course, and usually do very well within the first 3 gates, but after a couple more, I find myself getting later and later with each gate. It's hard to say because I don't have a video of you in the course, but, if you are late, then you are starting your turn to late. Your 1st three gates are good because you have not come up to speed. After gate three, your speed is up and your turn initiation is late. Again, it's just a guess, but it's a really common problem in SL. You have to be forward and quick from turn to turn in SL. It's a cumulative effect if you are not right on. My .02 worth. -- Marty |
#3
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Slalom, What is my Problem?
Brock wrote:
For anyone here who has an interest in ski racing, you will know that there are many different types of it. I personally compete in Slalom and GS type courses. I am relatively proficient in GS, having placed 15th in the state race last year, but for some reason, I just can't grasp slalom. My problem with it is that in the beginning of each race, I begin going down through the course, and usually do very well within the first 3 gates, but after a couple more, I find myself getting later and later with each gate. I tend to have to throw my skis right sideways so that I can slow down and start fresh. This is the worst problem with me and if I can fix this I feel that I will be able to do very well with these races. What can I do to fix my problem and do better on the course? Thank you so much for any input! -brock Get a skiers edge machine & watch a DVD of winning slalom runs while trying to match turns on machine. This will help condition your legs to quicker response. The other suggestion is run as many gates as possible, when ever the chance to train comes up. Also if training gates are set up short this reduces speed and forces you to work on technique Sometimes it helps to look a few gates ahead. Where do you race? michael |
#4
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Slalom, What is my Problem?
down_hill wrote:
Sometimes it helps to look a few gates ahead. ALWAYS it helps to look ahead; a slalom racer should be setting up for two gates ahead of the gate they are actually in. (Actually true for all disciplines but we're talking slalom here.) Also get on and off your edges immediately - slalom is physically explosive rewarding power and quickness while GS rewards strength and smoothness. Good slalom has more differences from recreational skiing than any of the other disciplines and recreational racing training gates are seldom set for true slalom so it's difficult for recreational racers to improve their slalom. It's difficult to even see good slalom in a situation conducive to study. Possibly find out the local USSA J1 open race schedule and attend a few local races - at this level top skills are beginning to show in the top seed (ignore the rest) but the racers are still slow enough that you can see their technique; also at this level you can get right up on the course at difficult gate sets and really study technique. This is important because you seldom see sound technique in Masters races IMO (serious Masters enter USSA J1 open races to determine their relative skills against better skiers.) Properly positioned one can also eavesdrop on a coach's comments to his racers as well - good pointers to be had. P.S. I've been gate judge at higher race levels and at times had difficulty seeing whether the racer was inside or outside the gates it was so fast - fun to attend but not so good for study. |
#5
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Slalom, What is my Problem?
lal_truckee wrote:
down_hill wrote: Sometimes it helps to look a few gates ahead. ALWAYS it helps to look ahead; a slalom racer should be setting up for two gates ahead of the gate they are actually in. (Actually true for all disciplines but we're talking slalom here.) Also get on and off your edges immediately - slalom is physically explosive rewarding power and quickness while GS rewards strength and smoothness. Good slalom has more differences from recreational skiing than any of the other disciplines and recreational racing training gates are seldom set for true slalom so it's difficult for recreational racers to improve their slalom. It's difficult to even see good slalom in a situation conducive to study. Possibly find out the local USSA J1 open race schedule and attend a few local races - at this level top skills are beginning to show in the top seed (ignore the rest) but the racers are still slow enough that you can see their technique; also at this level you can get right up on the course at difficult gate sets and really study technique. This is important because you seldom see sound technique in Masters races IMO (serious Masters enter USSA J1 open races to determine their relative skills against better skiers.) I have skied Summer National at Hood and New England masters races several of the skiers are former world cup racers and exibit a very good and sound technique. Other like my self are very happy when they finish two slalom runs and get a time, and are poor examples of good racers. When you hear a slalom pole hit the snow every second you have a good run happening. |
#6
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Slalom, What is my Problem?
down_hill wrote: Get a skiers edge machine & watch a DVD of winning slalom runs while trying to match turns on machine. This will help condition your legs to quicker response. The other suggestion is run as many gates as possible, when ever the chance to train comes up. Also if training gates are set up short this reduces speed and forces you to work on technique Sometimes it helps to look a few gates ahead. Where do you race? michael Maine.. Lost Valley, Sugarloaf USA, Sunday River, etc. |
#7
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Slalom, What is my Problem?
Brock wrote:
What can I do to fix my problem and do better on the course? Thank you so much for any input! What does your coach say? |
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