Faster or shorter

[Wish]

Was thinking once holidays are over to start workIng on technique. Am able to do this at 28 and 32 but it seems a lot changes at 35 in that old habits surface here and there in the pass. Never really establishing what im working on consistantly through that line length. Was considering leaving the line at 32 and upping the speed to 34.5 or 35mph and staying there till muscle memory really takes over. Or should I shorten? I've got several months of skiing before tournament start down here. (apologies to the frozen North)

[PurdueSkier]

In my experience a lot of the changes have to do with reach so I would shorten the rope and then slow the boat. This gives you more time to think and work on technique.

[Than_Bogan]

Agree with @OB that the geometry itself becomes a bigger and bigger part of the story as you go very short. So while I'm a firm believer in spending a lot of time at -32 and trying to introduce your changes there, I also think you'll have to take the occasional crack at -35 and -38 to understand how to apply it to your "real" targets.

 

I personally haven't really experimented with speed changes, but I probably should. If I find myself next season running some -38s but getting absolutely nowhere at -39 (which sounds about right based on my initial experience with my N1), that might finally push me to try slowing a bit at -39 to try to learn something.

[6balls]

I dropped my 28 practice opener last year and I believe that was helpful both from a technical standpoint and from a psyche standpoint. 32 became the "easy" opener and the 35 was just the second pass instead of OK, blue line now, focus etc. As a result I skied 35 more relaxed and subsequently more relaxed and less intimidated by the 38 as well.

I put the 28 back in just before the tourney for wind flexibility etc.

@than, plenty to learn at 38, even if running some of 'em.

[Chef23]

I am thinking that next year I need to slow the boat down a little at 35. I got deep a handful of times last year but never got through it. I was making 60-70% of my 32s but not getting through 35.

[Moskier3ev]

I have struggled with 35 for years. I spent some time with Trent or T$ he has worked on my gate and primarily the way I stand on my ski. I load the line tooooo early. And after working on a couple of basics for a while, a long while. I was able to get through 35 last summer in a tournament. I use the 1/2 loop as a crutch. I hate missing a passes in practice. My set was a 22, 2-28, 2-32, 1/2 loop 35 and then a full 35. I also need to give credit to my son Drew he helped with my onside turn last summer.

 

Jeff Lindsey

[klindy]

@Moskier3ev I thought it was the cheering section at the nationals that was the encouragement to in 35?

[RichardDoane]

@wish - I'm not a big fan of 1/2 loops or non regulation speeds, and would recommend running more 28's and 32's, getting to the point where you can run 28 BTB, then 4 32's in a row in good position, then bring those good habits to -35

[Alberto Soares]

I prefer 1/2 loops, I think the ski dynamic behavior changes too much with different speeds.

[ForrestGump]

I think I might have been driving for @Moskier3ev when he ran 35. Or maybe he got 5 behind me, then ran it next round behind @Mad11. Either way, I'm fairly positive it was the driving. ;)

[ForrestGump]

Every year that I have spent the first couple of months running up the line at slower speed, I have picked up 4-5 buoys once I sped back up to regulation speed. I found the slower speeds teach you to move your core mass out with the handle. Because if you don't, you end up behind the handle, narrow, etc.

[jayski]

I with @ShaneH slowing it down teaches you a lot, head coach, driver and all around great guy @ DRSA got me skiing @ 32mph to learn the rope, carry speed efficiently, outward direction, patience thorough the turn and all the relevant pieces to run the passes, we bumped up the speed up as I ran back to back's by .02mph until we were back at 34mph...has helped me through 35 and 38 so it works...

[Moskier3ev]

Yes, Shane, I am sure it was the driving. And yes Kieth Nationals was a big CHOKE job 5.5. It was a great year slalom skiing. Looking forward to 2013. I am not sold on any one technique except listining to a good coach you beleive in. I know Trent coaches people that slow down a few ticks and he has coached my wife and I who use the 1/2 loops. I just bought into his technique and continue to work on it. When I do it right everything slows down. Looks like here in the Autin area we are going to have a bunch of ELR slalom next summer hope you guys make it

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[GaryWilkinson]

One of the fellas that coach us up here in the great white north, (Benoit Allard) uses slowing the boat to learn a new line length. Ben said he's currently coach a young server learning to -38 and he slows the boat to 30 mph. (The kid skis at 36! I hate him already!).

 

So I tried it this year just at the end of the season and it worked pretty well. The theory is to give you way more time to execute proper body position at the right place in the course. It all happens so fast real time that getting it right at the right moment aids training and getting more passes (experience, time on water) in learning the new length. I find a huge difference in going from -32 to -35 and slowing down the boat really helps get more upright passes at this pass.

 

Go get'em boys!