When the Centre of Mass is used like a joystick control column.
Yesterday Derin started to become aware of her centre of mass and how to use it by moving it to one side or another – the same as we do naturally on a bicycle.
Cycling is easier though because we almost always remain perpendicular to any slope we are on…
Problems arise in skiing because the upright human being is normally used to being vertical. Pick your way slowly down any hill when walking and you will stay vertical. For skiing we have to be aware of this tendency and make a conscious effort to at least be close to perpendicular.
Sometimes we have to move “forward”even more than “perpendicular to create pressure on the front of the ski – because as with the bicycle this is where the real turning power comes from.
In skiing the centre of mass can move freely and so it’s used like a joystick – moving the Centre of Mass (CoM) relative to the feet. To get more pressure on the front of the ski you move the CoM joystick forward – as well as moving it actively to the inside of the turn. Derin does a good job of this today and as a result looks more natural on her skis… (she feels the difference!)
Just as Derin goes past me she goes a little bit faster than she wants to and so lets herself come a bit too vertical. For this reason it’s important to “finish” each turn – complete each turn almost back up the hill. That we you feel the motion of the centre of mass clearly and control of your speed.
