Consolidation
Feedback and more detail provided for improving in dynamics. The first video clip shows a traverse with a pole plant and “up” motion into the new turn – rushing the start of consecutive turns with this “up/down” timing and almost bracing against the skis later on in the turn.
Video clip 2 shows the corrected timing and a smooth turning with grip from the start to the end. The key here was to end the traverse by standing up on the downhill leg while the body crossed over the ski – simulating the end of a turn using the downhill ski for lifting up the body. Only a pole touch was to be used downhill when upright and entering the new turn with the centre of mass coming down towards the snow when entering the new turn – setting up a “down/up” rhythm and resonance.
The first half of the turn should take longer than the second half and not be rushed – early pressure on the uphill ski being the key to this. The second video sequence looks good and stable.
Pivot
I insisted a bit on the subject of “pivot” because it’s easy to mistakenly dismiss this and underestimate its importance. At least 50% of skiing skill is dependent upon pivoting…
Most turns involve some pivoting to some degree – but most people miss the critical issue of turn initiation with pivoting and do the opposite instead – they stem! Correct turn initiation requires correct control over the centre of mass – in this case through the support of pole planting.
