Hi all,
today I tried to practice the Super-phantom move. Now, as far as I'm aware, that move is not explicitly described in the books, but appears in one of Harald's video's (#2, I think). So, I'm somewhat unsure about it's execution.
My understanding of the superphantom is that the key is to transfer balance/weight to the uphill (free) ski's little toe edge, just before finishing the current turn, and to do a "normal" (but early) phantom with the new free ski.
Question #1 for the forum experts: Is this a correct understanding of the superphantom ?
Anyway, this was what I tried to practice today. I had some difficulties initially to remain on the uphill ski's little toe edge while transfering weight to it. It tended to flatten in the process. But after some runs, in order to make the weight/balance transfer more explicit, I started to experiment with a slight "push-off", like when skating, from the downhill (stance) ski, to get the balance & weight clearly over to the little toe edge of the uphill ski. This "move" actually was quite helpful in terms of establishing balance & weight on the little toe edge, allowing me to "stand" a moment on the little toe edge, while tipping the new free ski towards the new turn.
This move felt quite familiar, and I realized that the perceived familiarity came from an inline skating techique called "double push" which is a way in inline skating to extend the stroke length. Double push is descibed with animation in the link below). Basically, the idea is to start the new stroke by placing the skate at the opposite lateral side of CM, and at first riding the outside (little toe) edge, before rolling over to the inside edge. e.g. if my next stroke is with the left leg, in bringing it forward in under my hips, I put it slighty to the right of CM, and lean for a moment to the left.
http://www.skatecentral.com/public/custom/videos/tips/tips.2/dp.tutorial.html
After skiing, I watched video #1, and when looking at the sequences with the racers doing practice runs, particularly Aamodt doing slaloms, it seems to me that they use something similar to the "pushing off" from the stance ski that I experimented with today.
Question #2 for the forum experts: the "pushing off the stance ski" I've tried to describe above, is it in accordance with PMTS, or am I attempting something that is detrimental to my skiing ?
Any input appreciated!
Cheers,
Tommy