Introduction
Today, we’re going to delve into the world of skiing and focus on helping intermediate skiers enhance their skills, specifically in the art of carving. Join us as we follow the journey of Aidan, an intermediate skier looking to level up his skiing performance through tips and drills provided by Tom Waddington, a BASI trainer and British demo team member.
Analysis of Aidan’s Skiing
Upon analyzing Aidan’s skiing, it was noted that his Ski:IQ™ was at an intermediate level, showing room for improvement in areas such as early edging, overall edging, and outside pressure. The analysis revealed issues like a narrow stance, reliance on upper body leaning, and inadequate weight distribution affecting his carving ability.
Tips for Improvement
To enhance Aidan’s skiing, focus was placed on improving his foot roll technique to build a better platform and edge angle. By practicing Garlands and emphasizing the use of lower joints, Aidan aimed to develop cleaner, more effective turns. Additionally, incorporating Javelin turns helped reinforce balance, separation, and outside ski pressure.
Putting Skills into Practice
After honing fundamental techniques through drills like Garlands and Javelin turns, Aidan transitioned these skills into his carving turns on flatter terrain. The incorporation of these techniques led to visible improvements in his edge angle, balance, and overall performance on the slopes.
Outcome and Progress
Following dedicated practice and implementation of newfound skills, Aidan’s Ski:IQ™ significantly improved, showcasing enhanced edge angles, early edging, and outside ski pressure. His overall skiing performance demonstrated better stance width, improved lower body engagement, and increased stability throughout the turns.
Reflection on Progress
Aidan expressed satisfaction with the tangible improvement in his skiing, emphasizing the newfound sensation of his outside ski playing a pivotal role in his turns. The journey from initial analysis to visible progress highlighted the significance of focused practice and targeted drills in elevating skiing proficiency.
Questions
1. How did Aidan’s Ski:IQ™ score improve after implementing the tips and drills?
2. What were the key areas of focus for Aidan’s skiing improvement journey?
3. How did practicing Garlands help Aidan enhance his edge angle and platform?
4. What role did Javelin turns play in refining Aidan’s balance and outside ski pressure?
5. How did Aidan’s overall skiing performance evolve from the beginning to the end of the session?
Answers
1. Aidan’s Ski:IQ™ score increased to 140 after implementing the tips and drills, showcasing significant progress in his skiing abilities.
2. The key areas of focus for Aidan’s improvement journey were early edging, overall edging, and outside pressure, which were identified as areas for enhancement in his skiing technique.
3. Practicing Garlands helped Aidan improve his edge angle and platform by honing his foot roll technique and emphasizing the use of lower joints in creating cleaner turns.
4. Javelin turns played a crucial role in refining Aidan’s balance, separation, and outside ski pressure, contributing to better skiing performance and edge-to-edge transitions.
5. Aidan’s overall skiing performance evolved positively throughout the session, with improvements in stance width, lower body engagement, and stability, reflecting the impact of focused practice and skill integration.
