Alex spent the morning consolidating – working on getting “forward” and succeeding very well – taking a tight and clean line – and staying in the course.
We only stopped for a drinks break at lunchtime but when we came back out the snow had warmed up a little and was a bit faster. This situation presented Alex with some trouble. Eventually I spotted the issue (thanks to video) when I saw the outside/downhill ski make an abrupt change of direction – due to the tail slipping – the ski drifting too far downhill from Alex to allow the next turn. This is new territory for Alex who has until now ALWAYS been in the back seat regarding technical glitches. The reason for the tail drifting (in a turn completion phase) is always “too much rotation” or in other terms “not enough angulation”. The two photos below show severe knuckle dragging taking place during the rotation. Alex reacted by correcting this for the remaining runs and stayed in the course once again.
Note: Even if the tail slip is just an illusion – rotation/angulation improvement was the right way to go.
Tallulah looking good – considering this is a black rated piste she’s focused well on technical mastery. The use of “pole clearing” was more to encourage a tighter line at this stage rather than to achieve speed. Regardless of “reaching” for the poles Tallulah still mainly manages to avoid rotation. When not clearing the poles her turns are smooth and the skis being used from the start to the end of the turn. Tallulah has a good physical awareness and follows complicated instructions well.
