Ski loading in “exactly down” phase of turn

At the end of the previous turn, the skis go more or less across the slope. Then the next turn begins, in which you need to try to load the skis as early as possible so that they start carving, that is, writing out the arc. On this topic on the site there is a series of notes with the tag “Loading skis at beginning of turn“. After carving the first half of the arc, skis in a short moment go exactly down. This season (2019) found out that is scary to continue to load skis in this phase, so the instinct of self-preservation does not allow to do it. That is, when the skis go exactly down, you have to let to stop press on them, and then when they turn to the beginning of moving accros slope, press it down again. From the side it may not be noticeable, and if it is noticeable, then it is clear seen that the skier presses on the skis twice in a turn instead of one. In the note I will understand how to deal with it.
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How to increase edge angles in ski turn

Just after changing edges you can “hang” in the phase of almost flat skiing. Or you can go to a natural angles, determined by the speed of the skis and the steepness of the turn. Or you can set a “non-equilibrium” angles, that is, to edge the skis even more 🙂

I will discuss about this “nonequilibrium” option. It seems that everything depends on the initial angle, looks like following increase of angles in a arc is added to the initial angle. In addition, according to my observations, only by such “nonequilibrium” edging you can achieve the working angles >60 degrees in the middle of the arc.

I found out something in this (2018) season, so I want to write down, so as not to lose it. But grabbed a little, ready “recipe for cooking a magic pill” no 🙂
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Slalom, work on technique in the season 2018. Trajectory

In a free descent, the trajectory for me is not particularly important. But of course, I try to go as steep as possible. That is, carve round turns, but with the minimum possible radius. This is if the task is to raise the level of technique, but not just to fun 🙂

In general, one can proceed from the fact that everyone has his own arc of the minimum radius, which he can carve, determined by skis, the slope of the hill, the rigidity of the coating and the technique. If you try to carve steeper turn, then the skis will go into a skid.

In the note, I discuss the experience of the past (2018) season in transferring a section of such a clean arc into the slalom course.
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Shorten the second half of ski turn

The second half of the arc (starting from the position of “ski-go-down” and ending with “ski-go-across”) does not cause difficulties. The resultant forces well presses the skis to the slope, so everything happens under complete control. From the position of “ski-down,” you can exit in two ways: cut a round turn or put the skis across the movement and go out by slip on the edges. Interestingly of course round turn, lateral slippage is a “spare parachute”, if something goes wrong. However, the round turn can be flat or steep. And it’s not so much because of technique, but because of “hovering” in the “ski-down” position.

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How to use centrifugal force in initial stage of ski turn

Some believe that there is no centrifugal force in Nature. I will not argue with this, but I will denote that by centrifugal force I mean what is pressed against the outer wall in the carousel. That is, to feel the centrifugal force you need to be yourself in a turn but not watch it from the side. In turns on skis there is a mix of two extreme cases. One extreme – a sidelong descent across the slope, then a sharp redirection of movement (for example, jumping with a turn) and again an oblique descent. Looks like zigzags along a broken line. In this case, there is no movement along the circumference and, accordingly, there is no centrifugal force. The opposite extreme case is round turns, there is a centrifugal force. In a real ride, no matter how you want to always cut round turns, there is also a braking and straight sections. Therefore, the centrifugal force can suddenly disappear and appear. In the note, I will give observations on how to use centrifugal force to quickly load an external ski when entering the turn.
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Ski sidecut radius and radius of a carved turn

Of course the radius of a carved turn is determined not by the skis, but by the skier 🙂 Nevertheless, the skis may have its own “favorite arc”, along which it goes like along rails. Curvature of the arc varies with the angle of the edge. What is especially nice, a skier for carving a “favorite arc” does not need at all (you can replace it with a сast-iron weight). And if the desire of a skier to go along the arc coincides with the ability of the skis to cut just such an arc, then probably the perfect carving will turn out. In this note, I will examine how the radius of the sidecut of the skis and radius of a carved turn  are related. Based on the skis Atomic Redster FIS SL 165 cm (2016) .
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Slalom skiing tips & tricks. Season 2017

In this note I want to give some tips for & tricks for skiing in slalom course. Behind general considerations, theory, exercises there are also specific advices that can help immediately. I’ll give three slalom skiing tips & tricks that really helped for me in this season (2017).
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Slalom trainings and free skiing

Skiing is certainly assumed for skiing in the mountains. It is not so important, on the course or without a course. Skiing from small hills (for example, in Moscow) is mainly aimed to learning or training. But after you’ve learned to ski so that you can ride in the mountains, regular free skiing in Moscow generally loses this reason. The slalom course can motivate. When I had the opportunity to become an amateur sportsman and regularly ski on slalom course, the free-skiing trainings in Moscow ended (except of skiing with the family, of course). But in the past three seasons, it was possible to allocate time for free-skiing trainings in addition to training on the course. Therefore, I want to formulate what is better to train separately in free skiing and then transfer to the course.
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Slalom, working on the technique in the 2017 season. Avoid inside ski forward

Sliding forward of inside ski (in relation to outside ski) is the natural component of the curved turn. Skis go on different radii, but with approximately identical speed. Therefore, the inside ski, which goes along a smaller radius, slides forward. This can be treated in different ways: actively used, considered inevitable or try to minimize. The last five years I have tried to minimize shifting forward of inside foot. This season there were interesting observations and a couple of techniques.
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Slalom, work on the technique in the 2017 season. Shorten the arc

The season 2016-17 turned out to be quite long for Moscow, more than 4 months. The ratio of training without a course (exercises) and along the slalom poles was 2: 1. The first task for the season was formulated as “shorten the arc”. I found a couple of non-obvious techniques that I want to share.
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