ColoradoHigh Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 I have tried to race once this year for the first time, and it was at Bear Creek. I did really bad cause I didn't know how to race for Nastar. Can anyone give me some starter pointers on how to race. How should I turn for every gate? What line should I use to get to every gate? Quote
Ski Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 The NASTAR forum is a really good place to get lots of tips from people of all levels...people of varying abilities. NASTAR is a modified giant slalom, which pretty much means it's a simple GS. GS is the closest relative to the kind of turns we are taught to make in freeskiing. So if you make good carved freeskiing turns, you can take them to a NASTAR course pretty easily. What did you feel you were having problems with? Quote
ColoradoHigh Posted January 31, 2006 Author Report Posted January 31, 2006 (edited) Turning around the gates. Since I was new to it during the winter break up at Bear Creek, I didn't know how far to turn around the gate and I got caught up in the powder. I also need some help with carving, I am not that strong enough with my legs. I need to carve better. I am a good skier though, but not as good as some people like Doug and the other AtomicSkier. This is the year when I improve to the extreme! As in racing, and making better turns. Edited January 31, 2006 by AtomicSkier556 Quote
Ski Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 You want to start the turn well above the gate...the 'hitting gates' thread has some stuff on this: http://www.paskiandride.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3409 The biggest mistake that new racers make is to ski too directly at the gates before making their turns, then just skidding. There are some good drills to do that work on carving skills. Carving is fast; skidding is slow. Think about tipping the downhill ski on edge, rather than just trying to put pressure on it. Lean your weight out over the downhill ski while it's on edge. Get used to the feeling of having it rocket across the fall line as the edge engages. 'Mom will tell you this is a "gorilla turn". To get yourself centered over your skis, try skiing with your boots completely unbuckled, including the straps. Also try shuffling your feet back and forth while skiing. It's hard to be too far forward or back when doing these things. Quote
AtomicSkier Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 Turning around the gates. Since I was new to it during the winter break up at Bear Creek, I didn't know how far to turn around the gate and I got caught up in the powder. I also need some help with carving, I am not that strong enough with my legs. I need to carve better. I am a good skier though, but not as good as some people like Doug and the other AtomicSkier. This is the year when I improve to the extreme! As in racing, and making better turns. http://www.youcanski.com/en/coaching/coaching_index.htm Do some reading there, that might give you so background. It varies, but generally racers try to make 70% of the turn above the gate, and 30% below. Making more of the turn below the gate will make you get low on the line, and well, if you're not Bode Miller, slower. If you want to be fast in the gates, make sure you're a proficient arc'er out of the gates. You said you've seen me ski? If so, I'm constantly arcing turns, as many times as possible down the trail. It's the linked turns that you need to be good at to be fast. A solid linked turn with the ski loaded and no skidding is the fastest way down a race course. So practice the basics out of the course, then try to apply them in NASTAR, which is a good testing ground. Quote
Ski Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 Also, whenever you are skiing, look for imaginary gates to turn around. I do that all the time. Quote
AtomicSkier Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 Also, whenever you are skiing, look for imaginary gates to turn around. I do that all the time. I do that do. Anytime you see a rock, ski glove, brown spot, whatever, use it as a gate. Sometimes I just say I want to go around this gate right HERE. Pick a point ahead and just nail your turn around it, so when you get into the gates, looking ahead will help you set up your line for the gate, just as you did with that rock/glove/whatever. If you're ever at Blue, I'd be glad to give you some pointers... Quote
ColoradoHigh Posted January 31, 2006 Author Report Posted January 31, 2006 I am prolly heading to Blue on Saturday or Sunday. I see so many racers getting thier knees to thier chest. I can't do that. Like I said, I don't have very good leg strength. What can I do to make my knees go closet to my chest? Quote
AtomicSkier Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 I am prolly heading to Blue on Saturday or Sunday. I see so many racers getting thier knees to thier chest. I can't do that. Like I said, I don't have very good leg strength. What can I do to make my knees go closet to my chest? It just occurs because of extreme edge angulation When you get that outside leg skelitally aligned, you need that inside leg to go somewhere, and the only place for it to go is into your chest, which also helps you do get more pressure on that inside ski Quote
ColoradoHigh Posted January 31, 2006 Author Report Posted January 31, 2006 AtomicSkier, can you give me some pointers on how to ski better generally? Not just racing? I need to improve in carving and turning, getting my skis to cut through icy slopes, and more things like that. If I see you at Blue, then you can prolly evaluate how well I ski, and what I need to improve. Quote
AtomicSkier Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 AtomicSkier, can you give me some pointers on how to ski better generally? Not just racing? I need to improve in carving and turning, getting my skis to cut through icy slopes, and more things like that. If I see you at Blue, then you can prolly evaluate how well I ski, and what I need to improve. Sure, anytime dude. I'm no instructor, but I've taught myself everything I know (well, with Ski999's help) so I have somewhat of an idea how to ski. Quote
ColoradoHigh Posted January 31, 2006 Author Report Posted January 31, 2006 Thanx AtomicSkier! I am not that great, nor to bad either. I am an average skier, that knows how to keep control, how to trun, and how to stay standing. I need to improve ALOT though. I don't want anyone making fun of me on the slopes though if people think I am REALLY good. I made a huge fool of myself on the race course at Bear Creek cause of the ice on it. I am not stable on the ice yet. I HATE ice. Quote
AtomicSkier Posted January 31, 2006 Report Posted January 31, 2006 Thanx AtomicSkier! I am not that great, nor to bad either. I am an average skier, that knows how to keep control, how to trun, and how to stay standing. I need to improve ALOT though. I don't want anyone making fun of me on the slopes though if people think I am REALLY good. I made a huge fool of myself on the race course at Bear Creek cause of the ice on it. I am not stable on the ice yet. I HATE ice. Soon enough, you'll be LOVING ice... Quote
ColoradoHigh Posted January 31, 2006 Author Report Posted January 31, 2006 Soon enough, you'll be LOVING ice... Haha, do you mean by me falling on it and kissing it? LOL! Quote
ColoradoHigh Posted February 1, 2006 Author Report Posted February 1, 2006 Doug, did you just start racing too? Or are you just learning the basics? I would love to race. All my friends at school say that skiing is not a sport. I say if you race it is. What does everyone else think? Quote
Ski Posted February 1, 2006 Report Posted February 1, 2006 Doug, did you just start racing too? Or are you just learning the basics? I would love to race. All my friends at school say that skiing is not a sport. I say if you race it is. What does everyone else think? I've heard people argue that bowling, darts, and pool aren't sports...but never that skiing wasn't. That may be one of the most stupid things I've heard---and that says a lot after today's posts. Quote
Metz the Jersey boy Posted February 1, 2006 Report Posted February 1, 2006 Skiing is more of a sport than many will give it credit for being. I played football and baseball for most of my life, football and tennis in high school, golf in the summer, and collegiate football and rugby. Skiing is as tough as any of those sports, and it requires the same amount of training and conditioning to attain a high level of proficiency. Thats my take on it. Quote
NJSkiFamily Posted February 1, 2006 Report Posted February 1, 2006 Atomic556, It takes more than just an afternoon to learn good carving. Depending on your $$$ you may want to invest in a few private lessons. There are some really neat carving drills to learn about getting your skis on edge and body position. And different instructors have different tips. One thing a lot of us fall victim to is staying in the back seat. You end up overloading your quad muscles and get tired very quickly. You really have to force yourself to stay forward. I've heard the comment about leaning on your bones as opposed to your muscles. Its true. Try to stay forward - you won't fall forward and you'll be less tired. Quote
ColoradoHigh Posted February 17, 2006 Author Report Posted February 17, 2006 Doug, where is it held on Sunday afternoon? At Blue? If it is at Blue, I am going there already, I was planning to get up there for atleast a week . Will you be there then if I race? Even if it is crowded? Quote
ColoradoHigh Posted February 17, 2006 Author Report Posted February 17, 2006 Alright, then I will prolly see you up there Doug . Yesssssss, I am excited to meet some new people. Quote
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