World cup movement analysis

[h.harb]

If you go to my Facebook page, you will see a new video, the last post. It is Sarska, former world champion in slalom. Can you explain how she is skiing differently ?

[blackthorn]

Is it possible to put it on here? I don't do facebook.

[h.harb]

It maybe possible, but I don't know how, it's on my Facebook page linked from Vimeo. I can't lift it from there.

[arothafel]

[blackthorn]

I'm a bit hesitant to comment, and waiting for the experts. There do seem to be a number of different problems, and these seem to vary turn to turn. Some turns seem OK. What is the single most important problem? - I'm not sure.

[blackthorn]

I think she has an alignment problem.

[h.harb]

Alignment is definitely a problem she can't overcome with technique. And there is a major alignment issue that has to do with the cuff.

[blackthorn]

I can't get enough resolution after download and in slowmo, but her right boot seems to be almost collapsing in and forwards so I don't think this is just simply a poor general alignment - although it may be. I wonder if the boot has broken, or not properly clipped/powerstrapped ?

[Erik]

It appears to me that the kinetic chain is backwards - turns being driven by movements of the hip and knees, not tipping of the ankles. Often the feet seem to be late. Also, problems in releasing - extending, not flexing - there are many stem entries to the turns. And not flexing to release leads to the extension in the turn and too much weight on inside ski.

[blackthorn]

"Like a moth to the flame"
I suspect that being an ex-world champ her technique should be very good, and it is obvious she is struggling on the course.
If it is not a one off problem as I mentioned, then maybe it is that she has boots with too much rotary.
I wait in anticipation to hear the answer.

[Matt]

Does anyone have a link to the original Vimeo? It is very difficult to see with the bad quality.

It seems that it is very Icy, may be part of the reason for the struggle.

[krazzy legs]

I think her boots are to soft to control for/aft balance with lightening quick small movements to pressure front of ski so the skis bend.

[mrvilliams]

In addition to alignment she has a few other issues going on from her induced coma a few years back that she never fully recovered from physically or mentally and all the firing/switching of coaches since 2010-11. I think some of those decisions came from her then boyfriend who became her "coach". Also, could just be that she is getting older now and won't ski the same as 2006-2009 when she was very strong. I wish her the best it is sad what has happened in her career. She was a Czech superstar.

http://skiracing.com/stories/sarka-zahr ... pitalized/

[h.harb]

Clearly as I posted earlier on, she is not handicapped by her operation. Anyone who can ski like she did in training, although it is far from world class, there are movements and reflexes in there that show she os totally functional. It was her equipment. A few weeks later she placed in the top 10 in a world cup. I rest my case, someone fixed her boot issues in time.

[jclayton]

To continue this thread , I didn't see the race but it looks like Sarka has sorted something out , 2nd !!!!! Interesting .