Today we focused first on side slipping then on how to use dynamics to complete and exit a turn and then finally on angulation.
Side Slipping
In side slipping it’s a subtle movement of the centre of mass that determines how you slide. We used a “joy stick” analogy.
Turn Exit Dynamics
In the Dynamics menu link provided the subject of “Turn Exit Dynamics” is touched upon. Using dynamics during the completion of a turn resembles a motorbike coming up and out of a turn – but in this case the ski is lifting the skier up by undercutting the skier’s trajectory. The end of the turn is effectively when the skis are flat on the snow and the skier perpendicular to the slope. Usually a “pole touch” is then made downhill of the body as it is pushed/falls into the new turn. The pole touch is made by the motion of the centre of mass and not an independent motion of the arm.
When on steeper terrain then the turn exit dynamics has to be exaggerated – especially in difficult snow off piste. (Unless pivoting is the primary mechanism used in turning)
Angulation
The link “Chiskiing” above covers the angulation issue. Essentially hip angulation is achieved by pulling the outside hip back (but not the chest or shoulders) during the second half of the turn – creating a slight stretch between the rib cage and the pelvis on the outside of the turn. This facilitates the postural muscle reflexes acting from pressure on the soles of the feet – protecting the spine but allowing flexion at the hip joint. Only the pelvis “faces downhill”.
Simplistic “face the upper body downhill” during a turn allows the hip joint to be pulled around in front of the pelvis – squashing it against the rib cage and deactivating the postural reflex – leading to back problems.
Our static exercise allowed Mia to feel the reflex in action.
In the video above the short turns were facilitated by using angulation to counter the tendency to only just follow the skis.
