Alpine skiing technique is evolving, mainly under the influence of changing capabilities of equipment, however - the principles of ski turning mechanics remain the same
1. Background
Sport skiing is over 100 years old. Ski theorists have written many studies, books and teaching programs. Therefore is one more study needed? It is very characteristic that the majority of books describe the skiing technique at the time of writing. Changes in skiing techniques often outdate the content of written studies. During my adventure with skiing, the skiing technique and equipment have changed radically, and probably the biggest change was the shortening of skis to the so-called carving skis.
2. What is this study?
The objective of this study is to present a collection of consideration that have influence on the effective skiing. These topics are time wise universal and a variety of solutions is possible depending on the used methods. The goal is not to indicate solutions, but rather directions and possible methods leading to the solution. It will be up to the skier, who has individual predispositions and modern equipment at a specific moment, to choose the path leading to the goal. A well prepared skier must have a thoughtful and rehearsed toolkit so in the rapidly changing situation along the race course he can solve situations quickly and in the right direction. The coach and a modern observation technique should help him.
This study has no specific beginning or ending. It is a collection of loose considerations on selected topics in the field of skiing technique.
3. Inspiration by the principles of physics
The continuous development of the materials from which the skis are constructed creates new opportunities. Equipment manufacturers use them eagerly. Inspired by competition, they want to sell new, better products that should replace old and unmodern ones. Ski instructors, coaches and skiers should adapt to this situation and use these new products.
In my opinion, the principles of physics and mechanics should inspire and direct this important search for more effective skiing. For example - knowing that carving skis made it possible to cut turns with a significantly smaller radius than it used to be (at even higher speeds), one should expect that the skier will be much more influenced by the centrifugal force generated by his cut turn. Therefore, it may be assumed the skier's position will be accommodate this force and an analysis of changes of position's individual elements can be conducted.
4. The role of individual technique adaptation
Each skier, due to his individuality and different anatomical structure (height, mobility) will adapt to modern guidelines of skiing technique differently. In this process both the ski instructor/coach and racer/skier play great role. They both are required to effectively communicate and trust each other thus the essence of training concept will be correctly understood and interpreted by the racer. After all, he must be convinced to the guideline and effectively "implement" it in his individual skiing style. The role of the coach/instructor is to inspire and manage properly this individual adaptation process. However, the racer has to have a deep understanding of coach's ideas and details that will be implemented, the chances of successful implementation will be smaller. The teacher should also carefully listen to the comments and doubts raised by the racers, and actively watch how his ideas are implemented. This two-way "feedback" allows for the concepts verification and adaptation to the individual use.
5. Searching for new opportunities
In skiing, as in other technically complex disciplines, the active participation of athletes - in the development and adaptation of new techniques - plays a great role. It is very important that they participate in the technique theoretical analysis, which does not have to go beyond the conceptual scope taught in a junior high school. It is important for the racer, not just the trainer, to be able to use equipment and methods for technique analysis, e.g. video, and to devote his time to such analysis. Then they can together develop new solutions more easily, looking at them through the prism of the basic principles - the principles of physics and biomechanics.
The coach's task is to search for new technical possibilities constantly. It seems that it is easiest to find them where the interaction of changing equipment and regulations occurs with the physical nature of the processes appearing during training and competition.