- Joined
- Nov 24, 2017
- Posts
- 2,231
This is a matter of perspective. I don't know what @Crank does in real life, but IIRC, Josh is an engineer. For Josh it isn't a leap of faith; just math. Math that by the way, makes perfect sense. I also would guess Josh skis more per season than most do across several seasons or even a decade.
I think the leap is releasing the edges for that split second and the faith is the new edge will re-engage. As @slowrider stated, confidence is what is needed. It is built in baby steps gradually working up to steeps. This is also why I get so upset when I see little kids in a power wedge on steep terrain. What have they learned other than to brace against the mountain or stem their turns. Crap I have to undo when they finally make it to my group.
The "Up and Over" drill works well for this. Starting on easy terrain and working to steeper, when you come out of a turn lift the downhill ski just before transition (skis need to be across the fall line - "skis to trees"). On the uphill ski, you should be on your uphill edge. I tell me athletes to try to go a little uphill at this point. Once there, still on just the uphill ski (about to be the outside ski), make the turn going from uphill edge to downhill edge (Still across the falline). As you come out of the turn put the ski that is in the air down and at transition, lift the new downhill ski (the one you were just skiing on). Rinse and repeat.
Builds confidence and you know right where your edges are. One of my favorites. I do this often and especially when I get new skis or go from SL to GS skis.
Have fun,
Ken
Winner winner chicken dinner.
One has to let go of control to gain control. The building of a skill set builds confidence. The drill in paragraph three will enable you to get on that new downhill ski earlier (If I understand what L&Air is conveying). Keep in mind that the driver of your turn - the element that sets up the Kinesthetic chain reaction that is the turn, is your COM moving in the direction that you want to go. Mentally, I think about flattening and releasing that new inside ski.
All of this happens simultaneously - not sequentially.