Hello everyone

I left you all skiing like Jedi Knights. I hope that by now you have found the force and that you have managed to stay away from the dark side, especially on those icy black runs.

• Photo 1 is the Author on 1999/2000 Volkls P40 F1 Race carver skis.
• Photo 2 is taken at 1962 World Championship in Chamonix.

 

Photo 1

Photo 2

• The Author (photo 1) is on modern equipment, killer Lange Race boots, riser-carving plates on modern Volkls P40 F1skis.
• The 1962 dude is in 1962 Leather Boots on non-carving wooden skis

Why such similarities?

1. Because universal laws do not change, the mountain’s slope always provided the propulsion power for skiers to use. Skiing was just as much then a "gravity powered sport" as it is today.
2. Both skiers are using a lot of edge. Notice how much edge is applied to the skis, notice how the legs are not vertical. Place yourself in front of a mirror and tilt your legs to the same angles you see on the photographs…Compare this massive tilt with the bolt upright position of the recreational skiers you see on the mountain. This will give you an idea of how much they are missing the point about ski technique. Edging is the fundamental principle governing all skiing behaviour.
3. Both the 1962 and 1999 skier are looking for the same thing in their skiing. Both are seeking maximum turning effects from the skis and mountain with minimal strain on their skeletal structure (body) and consequently both the 1962 and 1999 skier align their body structure to allow the most power to flow through it. Both are doing the same job of maintaining a mechanically strong body structure in order to get the same effect.

What differentiates these 2 skiers?

Look at the lines between the shoulders and the tip of the outside (downhill) ski. These lines represent an imaginary string attached to each shoulder. In an ideal world both strings should be of equal length. When this condition is achieved, the ski turns its tightest arc allowing the body to suffer minimum "structural distortion".

The 1962 dude is skiing with too much anticipation by allowing each shoulder string to be of different length. This creates a structural twist in the body and opens the arc of the curve proposed by the skis. 40 years of skiing has taught us to make two strings equal.

What are they getting out of their skiing that is so special?

They are getting huge pleasure from their skiing! Why: Because they ride their skis with massive edge. Yes folks, riding skis with massive edge is the path to great fun. Ski equipment manufacturers have figured this out, look at what is out there: Snow blades, radical carvers, fun carvers, free ride carvers, race carvers, all these skis and more have one thing in common, they provide immense fun provided you are using them on edge. Equipment manufacturers are investing big bucks to get you to have fun buy putting you on yours ski's edges by designing great gear suggesting that you finally change your style and get on those edges. You don't need to go at warp speed to feel like Alberto Tomba…just use your carvers on their edges and a miracle will happen. You will experience loads and loads of fun…fun…fun.

Asides from reading the Newsletter, what more can you do to reach the ethos of skiing?

• Remove mechanical imbalance from the body with alignment. Call me in Val D’Isere to organise your appointment. I am using superb American footbeds as the starting point for all alignments. Please do not purchase footbeds for your ski boots, none of them will perform near as well as the Thoren Technology products that I am now using. Even if you not considering alignment these products are the best and come highly recommended.

• If you are hiring skis in the resort and you want to experience alignment, I now have an Alignment rental programme where you can rent the appropriate cants to be placed on your skis. This will allow you to discover what alignment can do for you. I only need to spend 15 minutes with you to determine what size cants you need. I take care of placing and removing cants on your rental skis. Cost for cant rental: £ 25 for the week. No additional charge if you holiday is longer.
• Listen to the Ski Wizdom ski motivation programme. This (4 tapes) audiocassette programme is designed to get you to think and act like experts skiers (change of purpose).
• Ski with me for on mountain solutions to the points explained. There you will be videoed on the hill and taken to the Triffolet restaurant for a free drink and immediate playback. During video playback you will see and feel what is happening in your skiing. The emphasis will be on the points that I describe in my newsletters plus many more that you will discover once ready. I will introduce the benefits of alignment by making simple temporary adjustments allowing you to understand more about it. It is in your interest to get the tape programme and listen to it several times before your holiday to get the most out of what I will show you. Your progress rate will be 250% more efficient this way.

We are in February, the season half way through, booking tuition with Bernard Chesneau is best done now.

• Tel your friends about the newsletter. Just have them send me their e-mail requesting the newsletter.
• Have you had your alignment checked and sorted? You can book an appointment now and have it done once in Val d’Isère.
• Do you have the Ski Wizdom audio tape programme?
• Choosing ski equipment that will work harmoniously with you is a real science; I can help, so feel free to share your thoughts before buying. I will share my knowledge.

Until then, Ski With Passion.

Bernard Chesneau
Alignment Technology Ltd / Mountain Masters / Ski Wizdom