100% Carve

Hi,

I was watching some winter Olympic slalom skiers on tv. I noticed they carved their turns, but still skidded to a small extent. I wondered if a perfect skier could carve 100% of the time without skidding or scrubbing out any speed? I guess such a skier would pick up a lot of speed and therefore need to be very strong to deal with the large g-force encountered when carving fast and inclined into the turn. Any views?

I know very little about this subject but I do know the slalom racers also use the step turn, as well as carving.

Last holiday our instructor tried to teach us how to this - it is incredibly confusing. You have to step uphill, and transfer your weight on to the uphill ski before you turn into the fall line - the idea being (I think) that you are already on the correct ski before the turn so you waste less time and you can make ground uphill if you need to. Anyway - he definitely said the slalom racers do this.

I don't think they could bend their skis fast enough around the course to do it just carving - they have to put in these other strange turns.

Ally

Cue Trencher...

Not sure I like the 'step uphill' analogy.

Agree with Pablo, we await Trencher as the J2 main active racer. I am not a racer, but as a young WS, did race in the local Tirol league races ~ and this gives me absolutely zero qualification to comment on race technique. But that has never held me back before, sooooo.....

It appears to me that racers, ideally, would maintain 100% edge contact, ie, carve. Given terrain changes, speed, and consequent inertial effects, there is a percentage of time when the skis are not on the snow ~ evidently not carving.

Also, the use of the term "skidding", is relatively recent. At one time it was termed "rear edge control". It is a partial side slipping skill, allowing speed control. There should be nothing derogatory about it. It is just another bit of ski skill to add to the inventory.

Moving on to the non-racing aspect, carving is fine on a easy to moderate piste and then race course. When the terrain changes to steep, mogul, deep snow, then technique has to change.

So that's all straightforward then.

Watch carefully the GS and SL ski racers,,,,if possible in slow motion !

Two point,,, ( among others)

1. In GS world cup level,,but also top level national skiing,,a "control drift" or side drift is practiced and done just before a gate! This is to align skis to angle of best attack for next gate! All skiers should learn to do this type of "drift" !

2. In SL type racing where course is steep and gates close there is also just a "drift" but it is so fast and brief that few ever see this! Racers do practice this also!

For everyday skiers ,,rare is the person who can do a "perfect" carve all day from top to bottom on slope! That is why good skiers learn the "ski touch" ! That is knowing how to play with your edges according to slope terrain, slope surface condition, and desired ski performance!

You have to enjoy skiing,,so why constantly strive to 100% carving just to show others that you,,,,,

In conclusion,,,in my opinion rare is the skier who carves 100% ! So boring to do so !
Let the skis go,,,,once in a while ! That is soaring!!!

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