Difficult conditions with only one run open in Val d’Isère and one in Tignes – so we headed off to St
Foy.
We worked on three main issues –
Pivot
Early pressure on the uphill ski (outside edge of ski)
Angulation
Connie had to learn the pivot and lateral action of the legs to begin to develop protection for her knees so we began with this first of all. Eve remembered this skill and could manage pivots in either direction on one foot. Connie tended to traverse the hill moving forwards, eventually correcting this and sideslipping instead. The pivot is a braking turn.
Once the separation of pressure on the edge of the foot and edge of the ski was clarified we could start to work on the timing – generating pressure early with the uphill leg /uphill ski edge (inside edge of the foot) to generate early pressure and stability.
We worked on angulation by orienting the pelvis downhill instead of the shoulders – to protect the spine. For connie this was intended to start to reduce her excessive rotation and make her skiing safer. Foe Eve this was mainly intended to bring her stance forward on her skis.
Things started to come together for Connie a short while after the video was taken.
Eve worked on and improved all of the same skills but with slightly different emphasis. There was improvement in all the aspects including angulation and staying forwards.
Critical points to observe from the video and to work on
Eve.
Pole plant – up extension – instead of moving body into the turn (should be coming down onto the pole and using it for support when pivoting!)
Rotation – not using enough lateral leg activity at the turn initiation.
Front of inside ski lifting – confirming weight too far back.
Pressure all very late in the turn so the first half of the turn is rushed.
Connie.
Nice pivot – but needs more weight on the pole supporting the centre of mass
Too much rotation (not enough angulation)
Not using fronts of skis enough
All the pressure coming on the ski late in the turn – stand on it from the start and all the way through.
Sometimes stemming the uphill ski (pushing out instead of pulling in)
Not enough lateral leg activity
Activating early pressure on the uphill foot, hard on the front of the boot, with early lateral leg activity, activates the supporting muscles and tendons for the knee before the turn even begins! You must also stand on this leg (solidly) and commit to “pulling inwards”. Emotionally, every impulse is to do the exact opposite! This is why we have to be made aware in detail and to train to consciously make those actions.
