by Harald » Sat Oct 07, 2006 2:13 pm
Without sleeping on it, my initial response is that the delay in reaction of product (the ski ) to body movement, in transition is exactly what we need to survive. When I begin releasing by flexing it doesn?t mean my skis stop arcing or stop completing the turn. (this is learned not natural) They may even stay carving uphill, while I release, we call that the figure 8 turn. This causes a delayed edge change, but holds me upright while my body transitions. The ski arcing can still be happening while, my body is beginning to move across the skis toward the falline or some diagonal to the falline.
When the skis do release it?s very energetic and quick, bringing them immediately into a carving for the new turn.
The opposite would be a weighted release, where the body moves immediately with the stance leg bending and ski tipping.
Which, is opposite of the phantom move. Where the stance ski is lifted and transfer is made to the old inside ski.
The Weighted Release can be a dangerous move at high speed on steep slopes. Because your skis can?t keep up and you have no way to accelerate them or create friction with them to slow the body relative to the skis. (the skis are not in a position to be engaged, you are suspended, actually disconnected)
In the figure 8 release, when the body gets across and below the skis, it means the skis are already engaged. Depending on snow, as friction forces on the skis in, during and at the beginning, from release, to transition, to early engagement, will change all relationships. The ability to stay upright has something to do with the hip flexor extension, which pushes the skis forward, so the skis can stay up with the body? s head start moving down.
The steeper it gets, there is more need for either velocity, ski side cut or ski contact (friction) with forward ski push (on edge in a slicing manner). You can explain this with vector diagrams, but I prefer to keep it practical, so it can be translated into movement. Static vector diagrams are different and change with every variance of relationship to the arc. It?s much more relevant to rely on Advanced Dynamics in the form of momentum and change of momentum, when relating these principles, then it is to work with static force vector diagrams. My understanding of Physics is enough to get me in trouble and it is basic, but practical, when I get into trouble, I ask Diana. She?s not here right now, so all this could be a warm wind blowing from the southern California desert. But regardless interesting!
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