- Dynamics 4 (Advanced Angulation)
- Dynamics 5 (Turn Exit)
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Today was really about applying technique to progressively more challenging and steeper terrain. The video shows four clips. The first two clips are focussed on pivoting with the support of the ski poles and an extension of the uphill leg pushing the skier into the turn. This required good angulation to enter the turn and good anticipation/angulation to exit the turn – body weight coming out over the downhill ski and onto the planted ski pole. The the third and fourth clips used a push up from the downhill leg through the closing phase of the turn – visualise a motorbike rising up out of a high speed turn – the actual skating power being a direct up movement complimenting the ski’s own “lifting up” power (no pole use required!). This is where Aaron really started to ski – the fourth video clip.
My “Dynamics 5 (Turn Exit)” module posted here is currently way too lightweight but I’ll post the current version and it will be automatically be updated as I flesh it out and specify all the options. (That’ll take some time!) I suspect there are more combinations of possible movements with the two legs than there are atoms in the universe.
Dynamics 4 (Advanced Angulation)
Creating “angulation” is exactly like dropping one cheek of your bottom onto a chair placed at the side of your body. This gives the impression of “facing downhill” in shorter turns – which is actually an effect not a cause or intention. The action is centred on a relaxation of the hip joint (outside leg) and a falling into the turn particularly in the second half of the turn . The turn initiation (short to medium radius) is with the skier’s upper body facing downhill – thrusting the upper body directly downhill while the skis travel across the hill.
Dynamics 5 (Turn Exit)
Where exactly is the end of the turn? Most people automatically assume that it’s when they are vertical and moving across the hill. For “dynamic” skiing that is not correct. The skier has still not completed the turn. The turn is only over when the skier is crossing the hill with the skis flat and the body momentarily perpendicular to the hill. This can naturally only be sustained very briefly and is part of a dynamic process. The turn completion is every bit as important as the turn initiation.
Very tight pivots also require the upper body coming over the lower ski early but in this case using an aggressive and supportive pole plant.