Beaver Creek

Ted Ligety is in top form again this year. After Winning the GS globe last year, he's out to do it again, and more, this year. Watch closely, Ted is revolutionizing the way we race. Especially watch his knees and hips, what are they doing that allow him to make such perfect turns? Why is he so fast?


For starters, Ligety, and all World Cup racers, start their turns with their ankles. Look at the 4th frame past the blue gate. He is in the athletic stance (arms up, legs hip-width apart, boots flexing, and stomach muscles flexed). This allows him to start the next turn with a strong early pressure on the new set of edges. Now, all he has to do is drive both knees 'inside' (next frame) to initiate (start) the turn. Think of 'inside' as towards the next gate, or down the fall line, or towards the snow by the tips of your skis, etc. whatever works for you. Boots flexed (by ankles and tight abs), both knees driving into the next turn. Combine that fairly basic movement with an immovable/strong/steady/eliminate-all-unnecessary-movement upper body and you can ski like Ted :) If these words that are spewing out of my fingers don't make any sense, then just watch World Cup racing and only watch their knees the entire time. Get their image burned into your cranium so that when you see video of yourself you can compare the two and more easily see what you need to change.

(click on picture for larger image)