WORD WITH THE COACH
M A T T R I N I S t a r t
a t
A skier’s body position often causes the ski to react negatively - learning how a slalom ski is designed to work in the water can help a skier understand where they want to stand on the ski. Many times a skier will make movements or adjust their body position without any regard for what consequences may result. The ski is constantly sending feedback that dictates how the skier reacts with his body and technique. Understanding a few key areas will help a skier gain clarity on how he wants to ski.
t h e
b o t t o m
Slalom ski design has evolved over the years but there are many constants from ski to ski. A slalom ski has a wide point; from the wide spot forward the ski narrows (some quicker than others) and from the wide spot back the ski narrows. Each ski company has a philosophy on how the lines should run either way of the wide spot based on what their goals are. Typically the wide spot is located somewhere between 4043� from the tail of the ski. To help you envision that area, it is located just in front of the the most forward insert on your front boot. When the water is breaking on the ski in front of that wide spot the ski wants to turn; and when the water break is behind that point, the skier can ride the speed or swing created behind the boat. So, from the pre turn to the beginning of the downswing back to the wakes it is imperative to keep the water break ahead of the wide spot to ensure the ski turns and drives back to the center line. Imagine a wheelie, or falling back on the ski out of the turn, and how detrimental that can be on a skiers’ hardest pass.
Ambre Franc / pre turn
Most skiers have felt both ends of spectrum- where the ski is in the water at the finish of the turn and you take off like a rocket; and most have also felt the ski pop up at the finish of the turn and the need to spike the line to attempt to get enough speed to get to the next buoy.