Clips 1 to 3 – Hip Angulation/Control of rotation
Clips 4 to 6 – End of turn dynamics
Despite a general level of tiredness within the group I decided to press ahead and teach basic Hip Angulation and End of Turn Dynamics. They are actions that were currently absent and can only really serve to improve skiing. They are basic actions that can’t complicate things.
Hip Angulation
There is some documented information about Hip Angulation at the following link:
http://madeinmountains.com/chiskiing/
What does advanced hip angulation look like in action? (Photo: Alex – race trainee)
How is the angulation constructed – ref: http://madeinmountains.com/2023/01/26/derin-2023-day-6/
Our aim on this occasion was to reduce body/hip rotation but pulling the outside hip backwards during the last half of the turn (or even earlier). Both Steve and Sally had been rotating (trying to twist into the turns) so this helped both noticeably. Bethany hadn’t been rotating much – just following the skis which was correct for working with dynamics initially as movements are lateral to the skis and this simplifies things. However – even a slight effort to create hip angulation has a positive effect on skis.
End of Turn Dynamics
This is basically about using the increased pressure/forces at the end of the turn to lever the body up and hence out of the turn achieved simply by stopping the drive inward toward the turn centre. Until today I hadn’t mentioned this because the focus of attention had to be closing the turn and pushing hard “inward” (back up the hill) to develop control of speed – however it was time to experience how to harness the energy being stored up in the turn to eject the body deliberately over the downhill ski and out of the existing turn.
Here’s an extreme example from racing…
Dramatic images aside all we were looking for was an easier flow to linking the turns – and everyone felt it to some extent – as seen in the video clips. This completed a general coverage of the fundamental elements of skiing – clarifying points to focus on and develop. Each element reinforces all of the others.
