8/3/2019 Confronto (2)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/confronto-2 1/6

Here is one of the best ski racers ever, Hermann Maier,using a retraction, flexing release. And he lifted a ski,thought no body on the World Cup did that?

8/3/2019 Confronto (2)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/confronto-2 2/6

Here, Hans Knauss shows us that he had the techniqueof the future, back a few years. He uses a flexing

release and transition without an up extension. This iswhat the top, present day GS skiers like to do. It won’thappen if the FIS stays with the 35m GS ski rule. GSskiing will not be as pretty as this, in the future.

8/3/2019 Confronto (2)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/confronto-2 3/6

Demonstration of a large arc turn, with obvious up movement tocreate a transition.

Technical description of skiing in these frames.We must remember everyone’s skiing to them is measured with their understanding of the sport. If this skier were skiingPSIA taught technique he would be considered too edge dominant. In his world he is probably doing exactly what theyexpect of him. This leaves the skier based only on the photos we see here, vulnerable to critic or suggested alternatives.Let’s begin by defining the arc, it’s more of a GS size turn, so their is plenty of time between edge changes. And the skieris extending and raising his body and hips to make an edge change. This series of movements extends the time intransition.Since the skier is tall in transition, he has no place to go but down again, or lower his hips to enter his arc.This puts his hips low and behind relative to his ski boots, very early in the arc. When ever you ski like this, you do usesome uphill leg extension to initiate the body toward the inside of the next arc.If we want to compare to how we teach this turn in PMTS, it’s different. In PMTS we use the energy from the previousturn, by flexing the extended stance leg at the end of the arc. This movement combines to help the skis change edgeswith tipping, basically shortening the transition time.

With the PMTS method, it also reduces the disconnect from the snow, example is the 4th frame, where the skier isextended and waiting to cross his skis. We don’t have that frame in PMTS skiing.

 Harald Harb said...

Even though many instructors consider this extension movement, to be the way,but compare the extra movement here, to the Hermann Maier montage. Maier ismore efficient and earlier in the new arc.

September 15, 2011 5:46 PM

When GS Skis were shaped!

8/3/2019 Confronto (2)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/confronto-2 4/6

Carving a ski is a beautiful skill. Watching a World Cup skier carve a giant slalom ski with his hip brushingthe snow, from one turn to the next, is exhilarating and magical.This kind of unmatched skill, entices all snow sport participants and fans to watch the best perform.

This is what World Cup, Giant Slalom used to be about 4 years ago, until the FIS screwed up the sport.They mandated that GS skis should not have as much shape or curve from tip to tail. This changes the wayskiers can arc around the gates. Rather than seeing clean round curves and tracks in the snow; you now seea skidding, sliding, bouncing, struggling ski racer. The FIS is putting the best skiers in the world, intosituations where they at times, look like total beginners.Under the noble assumption that carving is bad for athletes, due to knee injury and bad accidents, the FIS intheir infinite wisdom has assumed that if the skis don’t arc round turns; a ski racer is less likely to get out ofcontrol, run into barriers and is less likely to get injured. No scientific study or record of events has beeninitiated or consulted by the FIS, to back up these assumptions.In my opinion, after observing and competing and officiating in ski racing for 40 years, making the skis lesscurved or straighter, requires and trends toward GS courses that are straighter and set with more distance,because it’s difficult to arc straight skis into tight turning gates. Therefore: the distance between the gatesincreases, and the off-set is reduced, so that the racers can make the next gate.

This causes what we used to deal with in the 70ies, racers heading in straighter lines, throwing the skissideways, into big holes or chatters in the snow, at or below the gates. Straight skis also, are much moredifficult to make hold on bullet proof, injected snow and therefore harder to control on fast, steep, courses.Solutions:Bring ski design and shape back to somewhere between 25 and 28 meters and 185cm to 190cm in length.Make the courses shorter and use wider slopes. Make course setting, rounder, in accord with the ability ofthe skier and the ski to perform carved high angle turns. This will slow GS speed (to a reasonable 35 to40mph and give racers the chance to develop techniques that offer control and elegance. Take out blindcorners and long, steep, narrow passages.We already know what will happen if the new FIS rules are employed, it’s obvious, we had it before, we willgo back to 1970ies skiing. Creating and letting new technologies thrive, like ski design, makes the sport

better and more fun to watch. The FIS officials are not future thinkers, ski designers or engineers. They areold men, with old ideas. The ski manufacturers are the creators that will make skiing exciting, not at the perilof the athletes, but with the creativity of what the human body has to offer the sport.If the FIS wants to reduce terrible injuries and increase safety; they should address the jumps on some of theWorld Cup Downhill courses, that’s where the serious injuries and life threatening accidents have occurredrecently.

Posted by Harald Harb at 4:20 PM 1 comments 

The governing body that orders World Cup ski racing rules,blows it again.

8/3/2019 Confronto (2)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/confronto-2 5/6

After a terrible rule change two years ago, that increased the Giant Slalom skis from approximately 22meters to 28 meters, the FIS now wants to increase Giant Slalom skis to a 40 meter radius.

FIS officals continue to demonstrate that they are out of touch with the althetes, the fans, the spectators, themanufacturers, the ski resorts, the coaches and racer safety.

They are, or say they are, concerned about injuries and safely. These issues are not proven to be on the increase or thatthe ski radius increase is a solution. Many experts in the sport consider the new rules will make the situation worst;setting the sport back 20 years, rather than addressing the issues that should be addressed in the first place. This is aworst band-aid case scenario this former FIS competitor, coach, former FIS referee and World Championship raceorganizer, has yet seen.

The Sport of World Cup skiing has seen a shrinkingaudience, and the growth of competing winter sports. Thisis directly related to the unpopular formate and

inconceivable ugliness, in part of the Giant Slalom event. It'shard to watch even for hardened racing fans.

The courses are poorly set, partly due to the rules, and the racers look like they are struggling on skis, rather thanperforming brilliantly.

There are many solutions being offered, yet the FIS has not opened up to the field of experts that would easier find muchbetter logical approaches to this growing problem.

(more to come)Posted by Harald Harb at 10:31 AM 0 comments 

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2011

Just in case you thought this BLOG, wasn't about skiing!

8/3/2019 Confronto (2)

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/confronto-2 6/6

Lead with the inside arm to keep your "Counteracting"strong. The inside leg is bent to increase the "Hip to the

Snow" angle. The spray, OH, that's because it's perfectsnow.