samstenzel

We've got two tournaments: one this weekend (Fleur de ski) and another the following weekend. I'm on the B team, but my coach says I'll eventually pass up the guy in the fifth slot at my current rate of improvement. I hope to make the top five point scorers by next year. For that reason, I'm not trying to go for points this spring; I'm more interested in familiarizing myself with the course and running a full pass. I'll definitely try that. My rhythm feels inconsistent right now, and I bet would benefit from specific practice on it. I am going to be in Houston for an internship this summer and hoping to find a place to ski. One of my teammates has some places in mind. I'm a freshman so I've got 3 solid years ahead of me on the team.

I’ve used a few different skis. Growing up I was on a 90s HO slalom ski, once I joined the team I started using a mid-2000s syndicate, but I recently got a great deal on a used D3 Neo 66” and have started using that the last couple sessions.

I do, yes! I work primarily with one of my teammates who's competed internationally and he's been a huge help so far. I get coaching from other teammates as well, though, which is helpful, but sometimes the conflicting advice is confusing. Yeah, that sounds about right. It's much faster-paced than I'm used to, and I find it challenging to find that pendular rhythm. I'll definitely try your tip, thanks! Also, I'm not focused on speeds at all yet. I am trying to figure out how to run the course with the proper position before I even consider going faster. I think I free-skied around 26-28 because 24 did feel quite slow at first. Now that I'm more used to it, it feels mostly manageable but sometimes slow, like I'm sinking and can't cut as hard as I'd like. I wasn't sure if this was a result of the speed, being on the back of the ski, or both. That name sounds familiar, I think my teammate might ski with him. I'll definitely look him up.

Hi Everyone! I've been free skiing on a slalom ski since my childhood and joined the waterski team at UT Austin this semester. Starting to experience competition skiing has been an amazing and addictive experience for me. I have had about 4-5 solid days (2-3 sets per day) starting to run the course. I competed in my first tournament last week and was able to get 4.5 buoys at 24 mph. Since I've been skiing recreationally for years, I feel very comfortable on the ski and have been told my position is mostly decent, but when running the course, I am frequently on the back of the ski. I can get the start gates and 1 and 2 ball very consistently, but am struggling to reach 3 and after. Through the wake, I feel mostly on the front of the ski with my hips extended and knees slightly bent forward, but on each turn, I return to the back despite my best efforts to keep my weight forward. Sometimes, when trying to shift my weight forward, I subconsciously throw my chest forward and hips back, which I know is incorrect. I also tend to pull too long if I get behind in the course, which I realize makes things worse. I am working on practicing a better edge change and coast in the pre-turn. Regarding being on the front of the ski, I have read many posts and heard advice about bending in the front ankle, keeping hips extended, and standing up tall and stacked, but I am having a challenging time putting this into practice. When I go back to free skiing I am told my position is quite good, but there is a disconnect when I put it to the course. I realize I am still very new to this, and that is probably a big factor, but am eager to hear any advice y'all could provide. Also, I have started trick skiing when tired after slalom sets and can do both side slides and back onside 180, but I am struggling with the return. I feel stable moving backward, but when I turn back forward, it feels like I catch an edge and keep falling forward. I'm unsure how to resolve this. I imagine with practice, it will come, but I am curious if anyone has any insight.