The Great Ingemar Stenmark

[Tricia]

Every once in a while I stumble upon some old footage that leaves me with my mouth hanging open.

 

[Swede]

Thanks for sharing that. Now just need to brush up my Japaneese.

 

[Tricia]

I have no idea what they're saying, but the skiing was fun to watch.

 

[BGreen]

The run that starts at :30 is surprisingly relevant to current technique.

 

[4ster]

The thread title is flawed! First thing is you never state Ingemar Stenmarks name without being preceded by "The Great". Kinda like someone who has been knighted is "sir" or the Queen is "Her Majesty". 2nd, it's Ingemar not Ingmar .

Thread title should read: THE GREAT INGEMAR STENMARK or INGEMAR the GREAT may be acceptable.
Thanks

 

[Tricia]

@4ster thanks for the correction. Edits made

 

[4ster]

@4ster thanks for the correction. Edits made

 

[Tricia]

See?? I can still learn

 

[4ster]

Who says old white guys can't jump?

 

[Muleski]

I have had occasion to meet him a couple of times in more recent years. Incredible gentleman, and still in incredible shape. No doubt a tremendous athlete. He seemed quite shy.

Thanks for posting that clip, Tricia. I agree, 100%, with @BGreen's comment.

Sometimes we get all hung up on one era versus another, and that devolves to equipment, course surfaces and sets, breakaway gates, and on and on.

I'm pretty sure that Stenmark in his prime, if skiing today, would be just incredible to watch. And that he would win, OFTEN.

Watch his movement; he was so incredibly smooth, and cat like quick. Which was not easy, at all.

Thanks again for posting, @Tricia !

 

[lone pine]

Age 61. Phenomenal.

 

[Sibhusky]

All I can say is, thank God for shaped skis.

 

[Bad Bob]

To ski to that level for that long is an amazing statement to his greatness.

The gym shots are just mind boggling! Did not know a human could do that.

 

[graham418]

It is a thing of beauty to watch. His technique looks very much like todays, after the 5:07 mark.
Nice wide stance, nice balance!
He don' need no stinkin' shape skis

 

[Living Proof]

I've always loved his skiing. One could build a powerful argument that he is the best ever. His major competitor was Phil Mahre, it was great to see them back in the day.
Whenever watching GS skiing of that era, I just wish that modern GS had the freedom of flow displayed by Stenmark and his peers. today's GS skiing is not a style to be emulated by recreational skiers.

Good find Trish.

 

[1chris5]

Love this video: reminds me of Wide World of Sports with the tagline "the thrill of victory and Agony of defeat".
Also, the crowd shown @ 2 min. is massive. Watching Stenmark is exhausting! Thank God for the invention of shaped skis.

 

[Swede]

Stenmark also won "You Think You Can Dance" a couple of years ago, think it was 2015, in Sweden. He always wants to win. He's stubborn, quite, gets the job done. Has been an icon in Sweden for everyone growing up in the 70's and 80's.

 

[Tricia]

Dang! I looked it up. This is fantastic!
Fun that the song is Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend, for a guy who skis diamonds with ease

 

[Tricia]

But wait. There's more!

This has me thinking more about athletes and their body awareness. Ingemar most definitely knows how to move.

 

[Muleski]

So, here's a reason why the USST is based in Utah.....the home base of all of those ballroom dance studios and DWTS stars.
Maybe we should be looking there for talented 6 year olds......