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FROM SKI RACING MAGAZINE, JAN. 31 ISSUE
By Gary Black Jr.
IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THE ELITE
TEAM FORMAT COULD INSPIRE MORE KIDS TO STAY IN THE SPORT
RECENTLY, I HAD the good fortune to watch about 100 to 110 youngsters tackle a NASTAR course on a cold — single-digit — Sunday
morning. Ages 7 to 10, the kids spent two hours in 8-degree weather striving for a medal. On the sidelines, about 50 parents shivered,
cheered and encouraged the racers. It was a fun morning in a ski area with has a long racing history.
Unfortunately, it is at this age that alpine ski racing is the most fun. The kids I watched weren’t facing the elimination process that they
will fi nd staring them in the face in the all-too-near future. USSA has developed a very stringent vertical system to identify and nurture
athletes who want to compete at the top level. As Hilary Lund points out in her feature on the state of junior racing (see Page 18), getting
to the top is not easy. Of the hundred-plus kids I watched, maybe as many as 12 will still be in the sport by the time they reach the J1 age
level. Of that group, only a handful will go on to race in college, and perhaps one will get the nod to go to an elite development camp. It is
a brutal and demanding ladder that organized ski racing has developed.
I am not prepared to discuss whether the sport has grown too elitist — it has. But it is important for USSA and the powers that be to
consider alternatives other than chasing most of the kids running NASTAR to other sports. In two weeks, the alpine World
Championships will open in Are, Sweden. One of the most fun events during the two-week festival will be the nations team event. While
it is not the easiest to follow, especially if you come from the stultifying alpine community, it is popular both with the athletes and TV
audiences. Folks can understand Germany beating France and the United States challenging Italy.
As this writer has pointed out before, USSA should consider adopting a form of the team concept. The purpose of the new event would
be to keep young racers in the sport and having fun. Yes, it would take some money and would require some additional personnel, but it
need not be overwhelming. After all, the infrastructure is in place. USSA has the committee structure to carve out rules. The clubs and
the parents are available. The challenge is to devise a formula that works and allows more kids to stay in the sport for fun, not to
struggle and most likely fail to reach elite status. The only thing needed is the desire to work up a form of team event that is designed to
keep kids involved in the sport and then implement it. For USSA, money is not an issue, as the organization has plenty. It boils down to a
philosophical question: Is the purpose of the organization solely to develop elite athletes? The answer, to a very large extent, is yes, but
Bill Marolt frequently discusses the need to get more kids involved in the sport, as does Erich Sailer in Lund’s article.
A well-thought-out team event could provide the impetus to increase participation. After all, USSA has more than 350 clubs and
academies involved in the sport. Yet as you can see from Hank McKee’ ranking of the top 100 juniors, only 46 account for the juniors
who make the elite list. Today, entry-level coaches too often hear the same litany: “I am just not getting anywhere,” or “It is not fun any
more.” Having a team event alternative to the elite ladder might just change this tune. It certainly would not hurt to put in a test program to
see if it would have a positive impact.
A well-thought-out team program might keep kids involved and, who knows, some of them may well be late bloomers and go on to be
elite athletes. — G.B. Jr.
By Gary Black Jr.
IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THE ELITE
TEAM FORMAT COULD INSPIRE MORE KIDS TO STAY IN THE SPORT
RECENTLY, I HAD the good fortune to watch about 100 to 110 youngsters tackle a NASTAR course on a cold — single-digit — Sunday
morning. Ages 7 to 10, the kids spent two hours in 8-degree weather striving for a medal. On the sidelines, about 50 parents shivered,
cheered and encouraged the racers. It was a fun morning in a ski area with has a long racing history.
Unfortunately, it is at this age that alpine ski racing is the most fun. The kids I watched weren’t facing the elimination process that they
will fi nd staring them in the face in the all-too-near future. USSA has developed a very stringent vertical system to identify and nurture
athletes who want to compete at the top level. As Hilary Lund points out in her feature on the state of junior racing (see Page 18), getting
to the top is not easy. Of the hundred-plus kids I watched, maybe as many as 12 will still be in the sport by the time they reach the J1 age
level. Of that group, only a handful will go on to race in college, and perhaps one will get the nod to go to an elite development camp. It is
a brutal and demanding ladder that organized ski racing has developed.
I am not prepared to discuss whether the sport has grown too elitist — it has. But it is important for USSA and the powers that be to
consider alternatives other than chasing most of the kids running NASTAR to other sports. In two weeks, the alpine World
Championships will open in Are, Sweden. One of the most fun events during the two-week festival will be the nations team event. While
it is not the easiest to follow, especially if you come from the stultifying alpine community, it is popular both with the athletes and TV
audiences. Folks can understand Germany beating France and the United States challenging Italy.
As this writer has pointed out before, USSA should consider adopting a form of the team concept. The purpose of the new event would
be to keep young racers in the sport and having fun. Yes, it would take some money and would require some additional personnel, but it
need not be overwhelming. After all, the infrastructure is in place. USSA has the committee structure to carve out rules. The clubs and
the parents are available. The challenge is to devise a formula that works and allows more kids to stay in the sport for fun, not to
struggle and most likely fail to reach elite status. The only thing needed is the desire to work up a form of team event that is designed to
keep kids involved in the sport and then implement it. For USSA, money is not an issue, as the organization has plenty. It boils down to a
philosophical question: Is the purpose of the organization solely to develop elite athletes? The answer, to a very large extent, is yes, but
Bill Marolt frequently discusses the need to get more kids involved in the sport, as does Erich Sailer in Lund’s article.
A well-thought-out team event could provide the impetus to increase participation. After all, USSA has more than 350 clubs and
academies involved in the sport. Yet as you can see from Hank McKee’ ranking of the top 100 juniors, only 46 account for the juniors
who make the elite list. Today, entry-level coaches too often hear the same litany: “I am just not getting anywhere,” or “It is not fun any
more.” Having a team event alternative to the elite ladder might just change this tune. It certainly would not hurt to put in a test program to
see if it would have a positive impact.
A well-thought-out team program might keep kids involved and, who knows, some of them may well be late bloomers and go on to be
elite athletes. — G.B. Jr.
FUNDAMENTALS of GIANT SLALOM
The U.S. Ski Team focuses on the technical and tactical (T/T) elements of giant slalom (GS) as the basis for the
teaching of alpine ski fundamentals. Mastering the fundamental elements of GS will enable racers to be successful in
downhill and super G, as well as slalom. As the saying goes, if you can ski GS well you will eventually be able to ski all
events well. With this in mind, let’s see what we can learn from the following Ron LeMaster montages taken at the
World Cup GS finals last March in Aare, Sweden, and at the Beaver Creek 2005 World Cup GS, which Bode Miller
won. The skier in presentation A is Canadian, Francois Bourque, presentation B is Italian, Massimilliano Blardone,
and in the final presentation, C, the racer is Bode Miller.
( Author’s note – When studying montages, the exact point of demarcation for each T/T concept or for the crossover
point, or initiation, turning and completion phases, may not always be exactly at the numbered images – it may be
between two numbers.)
Montage analysis goals: In comparing these three different World Cup athletes, lets list the common fundamental GS
T/T concepts that would be relevant and useful for all competitors. The fundamentals of the best are the
fundamentals that all skiers should try to emulate, regardless of one’s age and skill level. Even though most of us do
not free ski or compete at these speeds and in the same difficult conditions, what is important is that we understand
how they ski and what we can take from that to apply to our own training.
For our discussions, we will examine the athletes at 4 different points: the transition (crossover) and the three phases
of the turn. For a complete and more in depth discussion of these four views as well as all technical and tactical alpine
fundamentals, please review the USSA alpine educational CD-ROMs, located at the USSA Coaches Resource Center
– athletics.ussa.org or educationshop.ussa.org
Transition (crossover point): Beginning with the transition, all 3 skiers (Blardone #6 & #14, Miller between #7-#8, and
Bourque #3 & between #8-#9) are in well-balanced athletic stances (one of two stances on skis that USSA utilizes in
the teaching of skiing): ankles are flexed to maintain snow contact and fore/aft balance (hips over their boots), skis
hip width apart (Bode’s are a little wider as he makes up line for a low line from the red gate), arms forward, femurs
higher than their knees (except Blardone #3 where he is absorbing a small piece of terrain). Racer’s note: A well-
balancedathletic stance begins at boot fitting! Be sure you have a smooth fore/aft flex in your boots versus being too
stiff. Europeans describe their flexed ankles as “active” rather than static. When in doubt, and in consideration of how
cold the weather can get, err on the side of being able to maintain a flexed ankle at all times. Linking turns at the
crossover requires a balanced athletic stance.
Initiation Phase: (Blardone #7-#8 & between #14- #15, Bourque #4-5 & between #9- #10, and Miller between #7-#8)
All three are in relatively extended positions – in fact the tallest positions in the turn, not too low or hunched. All three
demonstrate proper body alignment over the new downhill ski, facilitating the movement of the center-of-mass (C of
M) forward and inside the ski line. The new downhill leg is described by some coaches as a “long leg,” meaning in an
ideal position for maximum muscular and skeletal strength to begin to apply and resist the building forces. The skis
are rolled on edge with the ankle and knees first (and some body inclination) for early edge angulation and pressure
at the beginning of the turn. Racer’s note: All three competitor’s hips have some counter (the beginning of the 2nd.
USSA stance on skis – the parallel position), but not too much. This point is critical: Too much counter too early in the
turn can lead to the “park & ride” syndrome - where the hips become static as the C of M moves too far inside and
back, often onto the uphill or inside ski. Too much counter may also lead to excessive ski separation, eventually to
diverging skis, and loss of downhill ski pressure.
Turning Phase: (Blardone #9-#12 & #15-#17, Bourque #5-#8 & #11-#13, and Miller #2-#6 & #9-#10) All three racers
achieve maximum edge angulation and pressure for the apex of the turn, which in general is at the GS panel, with
slight variations due either to the set of the course, snow surface, or the athlete running a lower line (Miller’s red gate
turn for example), this may be intentional or unintentional, as the case may be. In all three montages, angulation
builds gradually, with the athlete maintaining proper lateral and fore/aft body alignment over the downhill ski for a well-
balanced and executed turning phase. Racer’s note: Level shoulders at the apex of the turn, arms/hands driving
forward and at waist height (in most cases), versus an inside arm on the snow or at the boot top level., and C of M in
a parallel position.
Completion Phase: (Blardone #4-5, Bourque #12-813 and Miller part of #5 all of #6 leading to part of #7) Common
themes are level shoulders, arms either driving forward, or forward and out to the side for balance and a possible
pole plant as needed (Miller #6-7). Carving skis are maintained through a balanced stance for proper angulation and
edge pressure, versus a ski that skids or chatters because the body may have moved too far inside too early (and for
other reasons). Racer’s note: Because all three athletes are maintaining their balance fore/aft and laterally, the C of
M has begun to transfer from the old downhill ski to the uphill ski (which will become the new downhill ski in the next
turn) - Blardone starting with #9 through #10, Bourque #7-8, and Miller starting with #5 – 6). This early weight transfer
is necessary to stay in tactical rhythm with the course, and to have proper body alignment over the new downhill ski
for early turn initiation in the new fall-line. This also helps the athletes move their C of M forward and inside for early
inclination and edge angulation. A balanced completion phase means an athlete is ready for the transition.
Tactics: Review each montage for turn placement in relation to the fall-line (distance above or below the panel for
example), illustrating the objective of the athletes to make one continuous turn shape in the fall-line while linking the
turns.
The U.S. Ski Team focuses on the technical and tactical (T/T) elements of giant slalom (GS) as the basis for the
teaching of alpine ski fundamentals. Mastering the fundamental elements of GS will enable racers to be successful in
downhill and super G, as well as slalom. As the saying goes, if you can ski GS well you will eventually be able to ski all
events well. With this in mind, let’s see what we can learn from the following Ron LeMaster montages taken at the
World Cup GS finals last March in Aare, Sweden, and at the Beaver Creek 2005 World Cup GS, which Bode Miller
won. The skier in presentation A is Canadian, Francois Bourque, presentation B is Italian, Massimilliano Blardone,
and in the final presentation, C, the racer is Bode Miller.
( Author’s note – When studying montages, the exact point of demarcation for each T/T concept or for the crossover
point, or initiation, turning and completion phases, may not always be exactly at the numbered images – it may be
between two numbers.)
Montage analysis goals: In comparing these three different World Cup athletes, lets list the common fundamental GS
T/T concepts that would be relevant and useful for all competitors. The fundamentals of the best are the
fundamentals that all skiers should try to emulate, regardless of one’s age and skill level. Even though most of us do
not free ski or compete at these speeds and in the same difficult conditions, what is important is that we understand
how they ski and what we can take from that to apply to our own training.
For our discussions, we will examine the athletes at 4 different points: the transition (crossover) and the three phases
of the turn. For a complete and more in depth discussion of these four views as well as all technical and tactical alpine
fundamentals, please review the USSA alpine educational CD-ROMs, located at the USSA Coaches Resource Center
– athletics.ussa.org or educationshop.ussa.org
Transition (crossover point): Beginning with the transition, all 3 skiers (Blardone #6 & #14, Miller between #7-#8, and
Bourque #3 & between #8-#9) are in well-balanced athletic stances (one of two stances on skis that USSA utilizes in
the teaching of skiing): ankles are flexed to maintain snow contact and fore/aft balance (hips over their boots), skis
hip width apart (Bode’s are a little wider as he makes up line for a low line from the red gate), arms forward, femurs
higher than their knees (except Blardone #3 where he is absorbing a small piece of terrain). Racer’s note: A well-
balancedathletic stance begins at boot fitting! Be sure you have a smooth fore/aft flex in your boots versus being too
stiff. Europeans describe their flexed ankles as “active” rather than static. When in doubt, and in consideration of how
cold the weather can get, err on the side of being able to maintain a flexed ankle at all times. Linking turns at the
crossover requires a balanced athletic stance.
Initiation Phase: (Blardone #7-#8 & between #14- #15, Bourque #4-5 & between #9- #10, and Miller between #7-#8)
All three are in relatively extended positions – in fact the tallest positions in the turn, not too low or hunched. All three
demonstrate proper body alignment over the new downhill ski, facilitating the movement of the center-of-mass (C of
M) forward and inside the ski line. The new downhill leg is described by some coaches as a “long leg,” meaning in an
ideal position for maximum muscular and skeletal strength to begin to apply and resist the building forces. The skis
are rolled on edge with the ankle and knees first (and some body inclination) for early edge angulation and pressure
at the beginning of the turn. Racer’s note: All three competitor’s hips have some counter (the beginning of the 2nd.
USSA stance on skis – the parallel position), but not too much. This point is critical: Too much counter too early in the
turn can lead to the “park & ride” syndrome - where the hips become static as the C of M moves too far inside and
back, often onto the uphill or inside ski. Too much counter may also lead to excessive ski separation, eventually to
diverging skis, and loss of downhill ski pressure.
Turning Phase: (Blardone #9-#12 & #15-#17, Bourque #5-#8 & #11-#13, and Miller #2-#6 & #9-#10) All three racers
achieve maximum edge angulation and pressure for the apex of the turn, which in general is at the GS panel, with
slight variations due either to the set of the course, snow surface, or the athlete running a lower line (Miller’s red gate
turn for example), this may be intentional or unintentional, as the case may be. In all three montages, angulation
builds gradually, with the athlete maintaining proper lateral and fore/aft body alignment over the downhill ski for a well-
balanced and executed turning phase. Racer’s note: Level shoulders at the apex of the turn, arms/hands driving
forward and at waist height (in most cases), versus an inside arm on the snow or at the boot top level., and C of M in
a parallel position.
Completion Phase: (Blardone #4-5, Bourque #12-813 and Miller part of #5 all of #6 leading to part of #7) Common
themes are level shoulders, arms either driving forward, or forward and out to the side for balance and a possible
pole plant as needed (Miller #6-7). Carving skis are maintained through a balanced stance for proper angulation and
edge pressure, versus a ski that skids or chatters because the body may have moved too far inside too early (and for
other reasons). Racer’s note: Because all three athletes are maintaining their balance fore/aft and laterally, the C of
M has begun to transfer from the old downhill ski to the uphill ski (which will become the new downhill ski in the next
turn) - Blardone starting with #9 through #10, Bourque #7-8, and Miller starting with #5 – 6). This early weight transfer
is necessary to stay in tactical rhythm with the course, and to have proper body alignment over the new downhill ski
for early turn initiation in the new fall-line. This also helps the athletes move their C of M forward and inside for early
inclination and edge angulation. A balanced completion phase means an athlete is ready for the transition.
Tactics: Review each montage for turn placement in relation to the fall-line (distance above or below the panel for
example), illustrating the objective of the athletes to make one continuous turn shape in the fall-line while linking the
turns.
| Questions, Comments booger@hvst.org |
