sibhusky Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 (edited) As a proudly non-racing parent of a racer, I have to say I don't think I need to race to appreciate how much coaching from a good coach has improved my daughter's skiing. She spent the first 9 years skiing with me. It made her good enough to get sucked onto the race team without us even trying to get on it. Within weeks of joining the CAT team she had left me in the dust. BUT, even now, the coaches are trying to eliminate some quirks she picked up from me. She was told to stop disco dancing the other day -- her arms too far out to her sides instead of in front. I know she got that from me. And she's been race training for 7 years now. So, old habits too deeply engrained are tough to eliminate. She knows she does it, this is not a new criticism, but at times she is reverting. Edited January 31, 2006 by sibhusky
Ski Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 Ok, I want to tap all you racers brains. Running NASTAR I'm trying to keep it simple...wider stance, stay forward (shins against the tongue of my boots), lay the skis over more and link arc'd turns - that's it! Last week it was interesting that my first run - relaxed basically just scoping out the course - was my fastest of the evening! I have some equipment limitations but really can't do much about that right now - any ideas? I want to build a strong foundation so I can use NASTAR as a stepping stone to RASTA and SOFA! Only work on one thing at a time while making a run. I could see your turns on the headwall and, while you made some nice turns, you were skiing to the gate, then turning. That was scrubbing your speed as you jammed the turns. If you start your turn above the gate, then you'll carve much cleaner as you come through the turn. When people "back it off" like you mentioned you did at first, you become a little more aware of the course and your brain reacts better to what's coming at you. It's funny, but when you take a quick look two gates ahead, your brain registers that to some degree. It'll help you with a higher line. We set brush gates (small markers that you can ski over) anywhere from 8 to 12 feet directly above the gates (how high up depends on the course set). The idea is to set your turn up for the brush gates and that will bring your line up. So, picture an imaginary gate about 8 feet above most of your NASTAR gates and start your turn there.
Papasteeze Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 We set brush gates (small markers that you can ski over) anywhere from 8 to 12 feet directly above the gates (how high up depends on the course set). The idea is to set your turn up for the brush gates and that will bring your line up. Thats a great idea! Does the CAT team do that? Heaven forbid I should suggest it?
sibhusky Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 Thats a great idea! Does the CAT team do that? Heaven forbid I should suggest it? It's a standard training technique.
Papasteeze Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 It's a standard training technique. hmmmmm.. I'll report back...
Ski Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 We're adding one second you your time Thursday for bad sportsmanship, Doug Wanna go for 2 seconds? hmmmmm.. I'll report back... Sib's right...CB uses brush and stubby gates. J4/5 coaches will even set slalom courses with just brush gates so the kids don't have to think about clearing with their hands and can concentrate on foot work.
Papasteeze Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 We're adding one second you your time Thursday for bad sportsmanship, Doug Wanna go for 2 seconds? Sib's right...CB uses brush and stubby gates. J4/5 coaches will even set slalom courses with just brush gates so the kids don't have to think about clearing with their hands and can concentrate on foot work. Dissing an american ski team olympic hopeful is worth sitting out the entire race, in my opinion. I was thinking more the GS course. I know that they set up brushes only - but I don't believe that they set them up with gates using your thought of where to turn or in relation to staying high in a turn. BTW - Ridge does not stay high enough on the slalom course and appears to not be able to recover once he falls behind. But with only 2 slalom races and no more until the Derbies there is no time to take another look. I have a coach in Breck that will be working with him the week before.
Ski Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 Can I get that second back if I kick a wicked freestyle rap, I want to battle rap the dude that's your rival. I'm nervous because he seems like he's straight from the streets. I don't want to piss him off and get fluro thrown in my eyez Doug, he's totally Samurai...last of the Japanese warrior, Bushido Shoshinsu stuff. Don't even joke, man. He can make you disappear.
Ski Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 I just view ASRA as another recreational beer league, that is my opinion and I am entitled to it. You certainly show your ignorance for thinking ASRA is a beer league. Let me educate you, Rob. A beer league is a term used for a series of races held at a mountain where it's almost always teams of a half dozen or more skiers. The phrase "beer league" comes from both who the early sponsors were (and often continue to be) and where the results are often posted, which is in the lodge bar. A beer league is a local series where a bunch of friends get together on their home hill. It's not a put down to call something a beer league, although you tried. Some of the fastest racers I've known skied in beer leagues I've been a part of in Western Mass. Some people like to bowl in Thursday night beer leagues; others prefer to ski race in them. I've been on a dozen beer league teams, including one at TWood and have always had a blast. ASRA is a travelling race series, a step down from Masters, but with a lot of crossover racers. ASRA and Masters have nothing to do with beer leagues, although beer league racers are welcome and encouraged to sign up. On any given weekend, there might be 10 or more local beer league racers that sign up for an ASRA when it comes to their hill. And it's not unusual that they win their age class. But a beer league is parochial, while ASRA and Masters are a travelling series.
Papasteeze Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 A beer league is a term used for a series of races held at a mountain where it's almost always teams of a half dozen or more skiers................On any given weekend, there might be 10 or more local beer league racers that sign up for an ASRA when it comes to their hill.......... while ASRA and Masters are a travelling series. Ok I stand corrected, It is a traveling Beer League.
Metz the Jersey boy Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 Alright, my normally laid back self is starting to get rather upset at you, Rob. ASRA is a FAR cry from a beer league. The only reason I might call it a beer league is due to the fact that after I race and get schooled by the entire field I need a beer to help me forget about it. If you really think that ASRA is just a bunch of hacks showing up to race and drink you should unroll the dollar bill and save the flouro for ridge's skis. Either that, or maybe even show up to a race... How about you show up to Mountain Creek. I'll be there, and I'm planning on racing GS and SL, so long as I can find SL skis.
Papasteeze Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 Don't let Papasteeze upset you, I'm learning to just ignore him. They have intervention programs whenever you want to reverse the brainwashing.
skimom Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 ASRA is the major forum for Masters racing in the midatlantic region. They don't have USSA Masters races in PA or areas south. ASRA offers super G, GS and SL and have a similar points system to USSA. If Pops disregards ASRA, it's his loss. I'll see the rest of you there. Metzy, you can borrow the 160 salomon SL skis I inherited from racerchick - they are too long for me for SL, and they have demo bindings. My middle son is almost your size and he does beautifully in them. I wasn't planning to go to MC's ASRA this month, but you are making me want to. Ummm, ASRA GS and SL...
AtomicSkier Posted January 31, 2006 Author Report Posted January 31, 2006 They have intervention programs whenever you want to reverse the brainwashing. ASRA is far from a beer league. The level of competition is amazing. I remember going to the Go-Pro at Tanglwood last year, and my mouth simply DROPPED when the likes of Bernhard Resch, who is ranked #7 in the country in NASTAR, and Bartek Witke, who last year, came in 3rd in the Male Professional division at NASTAR Nationals and ran a 4.98 handicap off the Daron Rahlves, the pace setter. Since NASTAR is your thing, those are the only facts that I could dig up that would make you think otherwise about ASRA.
AtomicSkier Posted January 31, 2006 Author Report Posted January 31, 2006 Where do they have ASRA super G races??? That sounds like fun. It was at Windham last friday...you missed it, and Skidude said the trail they wanted to have it on was closed, so it wasn't a real SuperG
skimom Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 Sugarbush and Windham hold the SG. Being a speed demon, Doug, I think you'd love it.
Metz the Jersey boy Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 Skimom has officially saved me! Awesome! I can't wait for this. 'mom, you should DEFINITELY come out to Mt. Creek! Its going to be a blast.
Papasteeze Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 MD Vertical challenge is exactly that. Nastar is Nastar - ASRA is ASRA - USSA is USSA - FIS, Olympics etc etc. Wake up people, they are all good! Where have I ever said anything negative about any race program? sheeeeeeesh
skimom Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 Skimom has officially saved me! Awesome! I can't wait for this. 'mom, you should DEFINITELY come out to Mt. Creek! Its going to be a blast. We aim to please. Glad to see them used for what they were intended.
NJSkiFamily Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 Ski999 1) Do you still have that link to Al Hobart's "Complete Carving Made Easy" DVD? I think that would help Mbike with the idea of setting up those little markers above the gates. 2) I am a victim of waiting until I meet the gate and then starting the turn which washes away all my speed. I understand the concept of setting up the little markers above the gates and using them to start the turn. But when I'm actually on the course itself, my brain seems to think that if I start the turn that early that I will crash INTO the gate and not go around it. Any advice? I know you've talked about making that leap of faith and just doing it but its so hard. Should I just run the course at very slow speed and to heck with the time and just work on technique?
AtomicSkier Posted January 31, 2006 Author Report Posted January 31, 2006 Ski999 1) Do you still have that link to Al Hobart's "Complete Carving Made Easy" DVD? I think that would help Mbike with the idea of setting up those little markers above the gates. 2) I am a victim of waiting until I meet the gate and then starting the turn which washes away all my speed. I understand the concept of setting up the little markers above the gates and using them to start the turn. But when I'm actually on the course itself, my brain seems to think that if I start the turn that early that I will crash INTO the gate and not go around it. Any advice? I know you've talked about making that leap of faith and just doing it but its so hard. Should I just run the course at very slow speed and to heck with the time and just work on technique? Well that's how you get REALLY fast, by crashing into the gate . Running NASTAR last week in near-perfect conditions less the wind, I set up the last gate on the headwall really early, and really accelerated down the fall line, but turns out I started the turn to soon, and I was really going to hit the gate harder then normal, but they really don't hurt THAT much, and it turned out to be my fastest time. Don't be afraid to start initiating a turn early, because it may be a really good line. The gates are made to get out of your way.
skidude Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 (edited) I was thinking more the GS course. I know that they set up brushes only - but I don't believe that they set them up with gates using your thought of where to turn or in relation to staying high in a turn. Your ignorance is truely shocking rob. How many days has ridge trained at CB? Maybe 15, and you think you know everything about the program? You don't. You act like you do, but, you don't. If all you can do is bitch and moan about Camelback, no one really wants that, and so far that is all I have heard you do. You know where the door is, I would suggest going out and seeing what the other mountains do, maybe you will find one you like more, maybe you won't. But your endless complaining is just stupid, get in a car, and go somewhere else if you don't like it. Ohh and by the way, I have ran many courses with brushes, stubbies, gates, including many couses that have had brushes leading to the gates Where have I ever said anything negative about any race program? sheeeeeeesh Uhh I know...Just because its not posted publicly, doesn't mean you didn't say it. Edited January 31, 2006 by skidude
Papasteeze Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 Your ignorance is truely shocking rob. How many days has ridge trained at CB? Maybe 15, and you think you know everything about the program? You don't. You act like you do, but, you don't. If all you can do is bitch and moan about Camelback, no one really wants that, and so far that is all I have heard you do. It's too bad that you see only negativity and not the fact that I think all racing programs are great! It's also hillarious that you can openly stoop to the level of calling me ignorant. Thank god that I will never stoop that low. You're not going to hook a tip racing NASTAR That only happens in slalom Uh - what? I have seen skiers hook gates on Nastar courses.. One guy went off on a stretcher from BC last year.
skidude Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 (edited) It's too bad that you see only negativity and not the fact that I think all racing programs are great! It's also hillarious that you can openly stoop to the level of calling me ignorant. Thank god that I will never stoop that low. I can only see negitivty because that is all I hear coming out of your mouth. Uhh yeah it stoops lower to call someone who does not listen to anything ignorant than it does to call someone a murdered. See deffinition from dictionary.com about zealot (which I have been called many times by you). n 1: a member of an ancient Jewish sect in Judea in the first century who fought to the death against the Romans and who killed or persecuted Jews who collaborated with the Romans [syn: Zealot] 2: a fervent and even militant proponent of something [syn: partisan, drumbeater] With that said, I am moving all the posts that are well, stupid out of this thread, into there own one, and locking it. I hope this doesn't come up again (but I know it will) EDIT: not going to remove the posts from this thread, as they are all over. Leaving it locked. Gonna move NJSkiFamily and Ski999s last posts to a new thread, good stuff. Edited January 31, 2006 by skidude
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