9 of the BEST WC-Racers Free-Skiing in SLOW-MOTION

[@stevencooney9236]

Martina's skiing is beautiful. Her switch, swing, and movement inside the ski before it enters the fall line is beautiful. Her timing is amazing for the speed she is skiing at on a 156cm

[@Triggerboy62]

Yes, I agree :)

[@ЭдуардГабдуллович]

Шо

[@JanosKoranyi]

So relaxed they all are! Nice to see this and to look at it in slow motion. There are some less good turns also, but a racer is a racer and so he/she is always able to save the situation no doubt about it!

[@Triggerboy62]

Great feedback Janos. It is indeed interesting to see wc racers ski like this because we always picture them as flawless and awesome. Not the case. They can be. But they often are not. On a race course they literally make a mistake at ever gate in one way or an other. If we did not know they were wc racers we would bash them. However, as you so correctly pointed out, what sets them apart is the ability to recover and stretch that extra little bit when needed. That is what makes them awesome. That's what makes them look solid as a rock. Have a great summer :)

[@AkatarawaJapan]

Superb. Thank you for filming and sharing.

[@Triggerboy62]

Thank you too for watching! Could you please drop me a line at [e-mail].

[@markantony3875]

The other thing I wanted to add, is that using videos of WC skiers for instructional/coaching use of younger ski racers is somewhat useless. Before I retired, I coached at the FIS level in both NA and Europe. Ski racing at the weekend club level and even well into the FIS level is a totally different sport than at the WC level. These are dedicated, year-round, full time athletes that race on water injected courses. Their technique and tactics are honed for that. Trying to use these same techniques and tactics on some bombed-out, rutted, natural snow weekend or entry-level FIS course is an exercise in frustration for junior racers.

[@Triggerboy62]

This is absolutely true. We are talking about a totally different sport at club and FIS level.

[@bransonharlem9462]

You prolly dont care at all but does anybody know of a tool to log back into an instagram account? I was dumb lost the login password. I love any tricks you can give me!

[@knoxzavier7554]

@Branson Harlem Instablaster =)

[@bransonharlem9462]

@Knox Zavier I really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and Im in the hacking process atm. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@bransonharlem9462]

@Knox Zavier it did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thank you so much, you really help me out!

[@trouts4444]

Triggerboy62, thank you for the homework. As to the strange slow country pick’en music for a ski video it was a shock to hear. After a few skiers went down the music choice was very appropriate, relaxing and wonderful. Some videos have that extra music touch to make them a treat to view many times. Great choice.

[@Triggerboy62]

Wow, thanks for that. I put a lot of thought into music choice but sometimes its hard to choose when I make so many videos. 5 years ago when I did a similar video I used classical music. This time it was country. Glad you enjoyed it. Best music on my videos is the slow country music at the end of 14 Essential Drills For Ski Racing. Or dare I say Blanco Post Office that is my own original :)

[@trouts4444]

@@Triggerboy62 The music in the 14 drills was more subdued but great for the segment it's in. Shame on me I missed putting a like on that one. I don’t know how that is possible as I watched that video many times. Chris did a great job and up there with Mikael's Burke Mountain series.

[@AthelstanEngland]

Shiffrin even here looks a class above to me. She is the only one I'd say that has the technique of the better ski instructors. Sounds odd to say that because clearly these are the best in the world. But most seemed to really push the back of the skis around flat rather than bend the ski into the turn. Must be a slalom technique because think I'm right in saying they are all slalom skiers? Liensberger too had a nice more open gentle style. But the GOAT wins for me. Thanks for the video, looked to all be at the same slope, so was it pre warm up perhaps? Id love to see them just recreational skiing out with friends.

[@Triggerboy62]

Yes, it is the warmup on Levi Black on friday afternoon. For the last 3 years there has been no warm up on the racing slope. Really a petty as this footage is to die for. And Mikaela is the best.

[@showze21]

Triggerboy does it again! Of course, they all ski very similar, and the level of competition is high. Miki Shiffrin seems to have the best combo of powerful hip angulation, upper body squared to the fall line, and progressive ski carve. Paula Moltzan is good too

[@Triggerboy62]

Thanks for watching. Yes, I also think those two stand out.

[@Landwy1]

I've noticed ever since the 35m and now 30m radius skis, there doesn't seem to be round turns anymore. Of course having much slower speeds for free skiing doesn't allow the skis to load up and complete the turn. At first slalom became ugly because everyone was blocking instead of letting the skis make a round turn. Now GS seems more jam to get rebound and turn the skis in the air rather than on the snow surface. I think the "J" turn is creeping back into racing technique. Shiffrin though definitely gets the turn started earlier than her rivals, hence she is avoiding ruts. Not skiing lateral (perpendicular) to ruts means especially when skiing 30th in the second run, Shiffrin still has a smooth course. This is also why she looks so smooth compared to others. I realize in racing versus free skiing you are rewarded by cutting off the line, but there are other tactics. In SAG and DH you are rewarded for taking that direct line and just hoping you can make the turn. I've also noticed that Shiffrin is a good tactician. She is usually very early in her line until she finds the turn that rewards a late or more direct line and goes for it. She has patience to find those couple of time rewarding turns and will take a chance. This is why in a three, four, or five gate sequence she all of the sudden gains a second on her rivals. Also remember that racing skis are difficult to master unless you have severe angulation and velocity to properly load the skis. This is why when a good recreational skier gets on WC racing stock skis, they complain that the skis only want to go straight and not turn. It used be be that WC skis had a much softer tip and stiffer tail than skis an advanced skier skis would use. Nowadays, WC skis are more uniform in flex and are stiff overall. The WC men being heavier, and someone like Alice Robinson have the mass and muscle strength to load these skis, whereas Shiffrin is smoother since she is not long legged like Vlhova and doesn't have leverage to over pressure the front of the skis and not the strength of Robinson.

[@anthony-vp3dq]

Comments like this are why I love reading the comments, so interesting

[@camwatson74]

Because they are warming up on the injected slalom hill on slalom skis

[@godin8262]

@@camwatson74 Yes I agree, they not just freeskiing they are practicing to get their ski quickly replace in the fall line because in a slalom race that's what you have to do, you are skiing a lot fall line to fall line with a quick transition I thing.

[@Triggerboy62]

They are allowed 3 runs so the probably also test skis. So some of their skiing is trying to find out what kind of base they are going to have at the race and what kind of setup is needed. Just guessing.

[@trouts4444]

@@Triggerboy62 Seems very reasonable. They are not exactly doing fun "freeskiing" versus being at work and doing something work related related to enhancing their chances to win.

[@igorfedorenko826]

No matter who is fastest! Mikaela looks the best! Thank you!

[@intensepl]

I meant to say the same. She is so much cleaner in turns than anyone else. On this slowmo you can see how Petra powers through the turn. She just stays on the edge for a shorter time and has the strength to do it. Michaela is miles ahead in technical dept.

[@williamspostoronnim9845]

А Петра чем хуже? Хоть "тётя лошадь", но чертовски хороша!

[@marcosfernandezrapado2648]

Paula Moltzan is great too.

[@Triggerboy62]

Yes, Paula is one of my favorites too.

[@robmuru3675]

Watched this over morning coffee..........you make the best videos!

[@Triggerboy62]

Wow, thanks! What a compliment. Cheers, Tom

[@KlausMair]

Shiffrin, Moltzan, Dubovska my top 3. Great clip, thanks.

[@Triggerboy62]

Mine too! Shiffrin is awesome but I think we will see a lot more of Molzan and Dubovska in the future. Im planning on making a video on the young racers that I think are up and coming. BTW, went through some footage of the morning sessions on Saturday and Sunday and found some truly out of this world run by Shiffrin. She is still the best one in a technical sense and even if she did not win any of the races, the fat lady has not sung yet :)

[@KlausMair]

@@Triggerboy62 Its quite amazing how solid Shiffrin looks, even if you just glimpse at half a turn.

[@konstantinalexandrovich9885]

Thank you. Wonderful video, absolutely mesmerizing to watch. Liensberger’s technique is such an eye candy. And at the same time it still looks like something a human being can do, quite unlike the things Shiffrin does.

[@Triggerboy62]

Thank you for watching and leaving a comment. Yes, if you want to become better at skiing, watch videos like this :)

[@tomii3213]

Thanks Tom, a great slowmo, Shiffrin clearly on top 💪

[@Triggerboy62]

Yes :)

[@michaelmatos9656]

Even among these pros, you can tell who will be on the podium. Quiet top, separation of top and bottom, etc.

[@Triggerboy62]

Right on. That is so true. Thanks for watching :)

[@Dr.Jivago-x8u]

Nice, that movie is made after a good meal !

[@Triggerboy62]

Thanks. Yes, after dinner the other day. A hot dog salad :)

[@Dr.Jivago-x8u]

American hemendex !!!

[@sampovaljus6230]

Soouuu beautiful!!!

[@Triggerboy62]

Thank you!!

[@williamspostoronnim9845]

J am watching & I'm warming up!

[@Triggerboy62]

Gentleman, start your engine :)

[@arizzo5187]

Thanks... excellent footage !!

[@Triggerboy62]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@fede_wenzel]

Also, take a look at Mikaela Shiffrin's hands... always way in front...

[@Triggerboy62]

Good observation. T

[@snowboardguru6794]

Fabulous video!! Your channel is my favorite and I’m a snowboarder. I ride like they Ski and can’t find any boarders that ride like I do bc PSIA and ASSI have seriously messed up snowboarding in America. Thank you

[@Triggerboy62]

Awesome! Thank you! I am actually sitting on a great snowboarding clip from waaaaaaaay back that totally stoked me. Lets see if I can find it and poste it here in honor of YOU mr @snowboardguru6794! BTW, Im also sitting on some Interski material of snowboarders. Are you interested in any that shit? reg, Tom

[@snowboardguru6794]

@@Triggerboy62 It’s miss snowboard guru actually. That sounds great. I look forward to seeing it. Thank you.

[@snowboardguru6794]

@@Triggerboy62 And Yes I’d love to see any interski snowboarding of many countries and compare riding and form. Thank you.

[@racerdaveracerdave]

Great videos. I like your music too 😊

[@Triggerboy62]

Thanks! 😊

[@batzecohimbra4117]

No one like Shiffrin. Perfect.

[@Triggerboy62]

She is the best. Except I am not allowed to post any more videos of her..... :(

[@davewillis6946]

I have often heard and read that almost all weight should be on the outside ski on hard snow but there is a lot of snow coming off the inside ski in all of these racers. This seems to give them maximum grip for turning..

[@Triggerboy62]

Hi Dave. It is true that we speak of keeping our weight on the outside ski but that might be a bit misleading as we do indeed weight both skis. Just as you observed yourself. Great job. The steeper it is the more we weight both skis and on flatter parts we weight more the outside ski. Still the main pressure should be on the outside ski during the turn. At the end of the turn we might shift weight to the inside ski but that is not for edge hold, more for transition strategy point of view. Thanks for watching, reg, Tom

[@godin8262]

Actually what they are practicing is to right after the ski cross under them is to bring the ski the fastest to the fall line because the fall line is where is the fastest, they are practicing stivot there ski in relation to slalom turn that's why it is not round turn, but if you ask the girls to do round turn they will nail it I am sure.

[@Triggerboy62]

Yes, watching them train for several days in a row is an eye opener. They can make skiing on the most difficult surface look like a walk in the ski park. If you watch the video with the 63 girls at normal speed you will see that some are using much wider and rounder turns at times. Here it is steep even if it does not look that way. Its actually really steep.

[@skilikeheaven]

Beautiful

[@Triggerboy62]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@LoSkiBum]

Why I don't see compact transitions? Zeeeero flex to release? Zeeeero down-unweigthing? I thought it was the """"secret""" of top level skiers ;)

[@KlausMair]

:)

[@Triggerboy62]

It """is""" the secret and it """is""" soooööö well kept that nobody will ever find out ;)

[@stevebag3720]

The """secret"""" is thousands of miles!

[@markantony3875]

The compact "sitting on the toilet" transitions seemed to work pretty good for Hirscher...LOL.

[@ArcFixer]

@@stevebag3720 Yes. There is no substitute for days in a row.

[@idealphotography8215]

This is great. Thank you so much! I have an idea for you. How about - and this will take some time and work - show the same athlete on slalom and then GS and maybe even super-G.

[@Triggerboy62]

Hahahaa... you are not letting me off easy. I actually took some video from the Austrian ladies training SG last year. Or actually "I tried to take". They are flying by so fast it is nearly impossible to get good shots. GS training would be great to shoot. Need to increase my budget :(

[@2.872porsche]

これは素晴らしい動画ですね。特にペトラとミカエラが全く違う技術だと理解できます。本当にありがとうございます。日本人のコーチに伝わればいいと思います。

[@Triggerboy62]

Hi, thank you for watching and yes, show it to your coach. Note that I also have ski instruction and coaching in Japanese here on my channel. Cheers, Tom

[@TomBomBing]

Perfect

[@jr4ster]

Thank you!

[@Triggerboy62]

Welcome!

[@rickschnellmann9331]

Tom, great video. It's the one I've been waiting for to use as examples of the pivoted transition I've been trying to clue people into for several years now.

[@Triggerboy62]

Great to hear Rick! And thanks for watching. Yes, the pivoted transitions you have been teaching is all over this video :)

[@williamspostoronnim9845]

Не видео, а просто охренидио! Давай эще!

[@andycapybara]

so true, about 3/4 of the turn is not "arc to arc carving"! It's amazing how far the tails of the skis need to 'fly' sideways across the snow getting through the transition and ready to join in again on the new edge!

[@rickschnellmann2316]

@@andycapybara , good eye!

[@dj_617]

Mikaela’s skiing is the smoothest but that is just a matter of style. For the rest they all ski very similar. Hard to detect any difference in technique.

[@Triggerboy62]

Thank you for watching. Yes, Mikaelas skiing is smooth and solid.

[@PompeyBoy66]

Thanks

[@drl1046]

Mikaela on a scale of 1 to 10 is an 11. I think even a non-racer (even a non-skier) would be able to see she looks *different* and smoother and deeper and more together etc etc

[@Triggerboy62]

You are sooooooo right. I love her skiing. Cheers, Tom

[@godin8262]

It is very interesting to watch this female world cup ski racer freeskiing and I could see 2 big aspects of skiing one are the technical aspect of freeskiing and the other is the tactic side of skiing, as an example... as a ski instructor like a lot of my friends and I, some of them are the top skiers as a ski instructors out there no need to name them and when I watch them freeskiing the timing turn to turn is very precise and they look all so similar from turn to turn not much of mistake with a nice touch to the snow from top to the end of the turn, and sometimes we are worried to make a little mistake here and there and we make a big deal with, but skiing is not just the perfect turn all the time it is also to be able to create variation even if the turn is not perfect, be able to play and tried things. I look at these girls it is not all turn that came out as identical or precise except for some of them like Mikaela and some others that had very consistent turn to turn, but I think we could not compete with them in a course because there's tactic side is way better. most skiers ski in the function of their turn, this girl they ski in the function of their line or to adapt to always a differents turns or for a specific line that they will need to negotiate and I could see that in their freeskiing. It is just different. When they do always a turn that is different in a course it looks awesome because it is the turn they need to do base on the tactic side. If we always do the same turn when the time to variate come we will not know how to react, does a matter how nice it looks! It just a reflection I share and there is no right or wrong.

[@Triggerboy62]

Thanks for that great posting. Yes, the tactical side of it is a totally different story. Then you have physics and the mental side. And gear and repetitions. And experience.

[@godin8262]

@@Triggerboy62 Yes well said Triggerboy I do agree with your statement.

[@Gumby1974]

Though technically it's beautiful I would argue that it's still not free skiing. It still looks like they're skiing gates. I would love to see some style and expression of true free skiing.

[@Triggerboy62]

This is true. However, this is how they ski when not on a race track. They still ski in a highly athletic style and manner. Like they are on a racing track and there are imaginary gates.

[@Gumby1974]

@@Triggerboy62 it took me years to stop doing imaginary gates. I find my enjoyment of skiing really went up since.

[@fede_wenzel]

Another thing, they are all doing the same type of turn... pivot the first half and set the edges, and carve only the second part (after the fall line). Is this a "Stivot SL Trun"? Why all the racers warm up with the same type of turn at the same time? interesting at least...

[@Triggerboy62]

Hi and thanks for watching. No, its not really a stivot. A stivot is a quick pivoting movement back and forth to brake some speed. Here the girls are using something we refer to as "pivot entry" turns where the skis skidd/scarve for traction and end up carving the lower bout of the turn. The reason they are all doing it is because that is their default turn type on steep sections like Levi Black. If you look at them down on the flat you will see that their turn types are edge locked carving. Hope this helps.

[@fede_wenzel]

@@Triggerboy62 great explanation, thanks a lot!

[@williamspostoronnim9845]

Сьюпёрбщина ва-а-а-ще! 1000 лайков.

[@Triggerboy62]

Yes! T

[@williammckeown2479]

Can someone tell me the title of this song? If anyone is interested, the song used in the video is an instrumental version of Scott Biram's "Still Drunk, Still Crazy, Still Blue." Fyi

[@Triggerboy62]

I can, but not right now. Need to open the project... maybe on Monday....

[@williammckeown2479]

@@Triggerboy62 Thanks if you're able to. Really enjoy your videos. Bill.

[@showze21]

Bassino, Shiffrin, Brignone, and Vhlova would be the best comparison

[@Triggerboy62]

Thanks for watching. Maybe I could make a comparison video?

[@SuperWeissmuller]

Great video Tom, as always! Thank you. I´d say (relating to your comparison with your son, where you "discovered" that he was more patient in the turn, so that most pressure is after the apex,) that Mikaela is clearly the one most pressuring after apex, once the skis cross. Is that her "secret"? :))

[@Triggerboy62]

Super nice of you to watch this video with so much eye for detail. And referring to the Be Patient video. Yes, you are perfectly right. To sum up Shiffrins technique I would definitely include "late pressure". Just like in my Secret Move In Skiracing video Late Pressure. It is totally nonsense that WC racers pressure early. They sometimes do but mostly they are flexing through the transition, pivoting their skis into position and carving intensely and with short pressure at the gate and after. If they did not they would not have enough direction change. And it displays beautifully here in this video. Shiffrin has to most control. Her engagement is smooth and pressure short. Cheers, Tom

[@SuperWeissmuller]

@@Triggerboy62 yeah! short pressure, spot on. Some pressure "too" long, I guess...

[@Frank-ix1lg]

When Ted Ligety was once asked why he was always a little faster than the others, he talked about finishing the turn.Not easy to explain, only comes through practice, patience,great skiing. All great skiers! Mikeala completes the turn better than anyone at slalom. Not by much though. Petra is a beast, and Moltzan is very strong physically. Love watching world cuppers!

[@trevorquinn2839]

Not to be that guy in the comments acting like a coach but petras legs were not parallel, she dumps her inside legs knee in

[@Landwy1]

I think Petra probably needs to have cants on the boot cuff and boot sole, possibly with shims as well. Petra and Wendy are asymmetric skiers with major differences between left and right turns. I have seen where skiers in their earlier years of skiing were skiing on local race courses that had sidehills. They ended up favoring a leg, building different muscle and tendon structure in one leg. Sometimes legs from birth are just built different. Many people have wedges or platforms in their legs to account for differences in physiology and one leg may be shorter than the other. Women have a different and looser pelvic girdle than men. Remember very little sideways (lateral) angulation comes from the knees, so almost all angulation is done by the hips. You will see this with women really having their hips tucked into the hill versus men because the hip socket isn't as muscular.. Men have more muscle around the hips/waist area (there are exceptions like Robinson) and a tighter pelvis girdle than women. Men have a higher center of gravity (more chest and thorax mass) than women and can literally throw their chest down the hill and the legs/ski will follow. In the old days women WC skiers are on the circuit because they had a lot of ski time. Nowadays women work out in the gym and have strength coaches which favor women that are very strong. Although we don't have old Alberg and reverse shoulder technique anymore, you can really seem the differences in physiology in old ski films between men and women skiers. Nancy Greene really used her hips to her advantage. Some of the hip exaggeration was due to leather ski boots that broke down.

[@Triggerboy62]

The boot issue is really complex. The first year that Marcel Hirscher started to use the Redster boots I was told he went through 98 pairs. So I think that Petras boots have been set up properly. Shes skiing on Rossignol gear and they are the top brand at the moment so they have done extensive designing and testing. Interesting what you mention about the difference between men and women and how it affects their skiing.

[@NO-hd2nv]

3:26 beautiful

[@Triggerboy62]

Yes, Mikaela's skiing is beautiful to watch.

[@kountchev1]

very disappointed by LIENSBERGER!...... and VLAHOVA too! strange

[@Triggerboy62]

Thanks for watching. Yes, I was thinking the same. I picked the 4 best according to the race results and thats why she is in the video. But thats also why this is very interesting footage.

[@Triggerboy62]

We can only look at Vlhova and try to figure out what is her strongest feature... she is the best SL skier right now.

[@ilipika4105]

may be is her aggression?

[@robertgrant6837]

@@Triggerboy62 Until Shiffrin gets back to form

[@marcorao-torres2997]

Scelte molto discutibili sul piano stilistico, inoltre sono curve tipo specisle, a raggio corto, mancono le carvate della Brignone.

[@Triggerboy62]

Brignone is missing? She probably did not ski that day.... Cheers, Tom

[@fede_wenzel]

great video, but it would be great to see it in normal speed, not slow motion... could you please upload it too? keep up the great work!! thanks a lot

[@Triggerboy62]

Thanks for watching. Here is the video at normal speed. Except here are all the racers. Ok? kzbin.info/www/bejne/d16Td4OieJtjr8k

[@williamspostoronnim9845]

Мика изящна, а Петруша мощна (Тётя Лошадь :-)

[@Triggerboy62]

Well said! Mikaela is more fluid and cat-like while Petra is stronger with more power.

[@elhior23]

They are training obviously? How is this freeskiing? Is it freeskiing cause they have no gates? Great slow-mo vid of amazing skiers just the title is off.

[@Triggerboy62]

Thanks for watching and leaving a comment. Yes, free skiing is a kind of an expression we use when ski racers are skiing without gates. In this particular video I managed to shoot the video of the world cup racers skiing the race slope the night prior to the race. It is written in the FIS rules that this should be arranged if possible so that the racers get a feel for the slope and the surface. This is super rare footage as of all the years Ive been to Levi for the WC this is the only time they have been allowed to ski there before the race and I have been there to shoot the footage. Yes, the slow-mo is amazing. Cheers, Tom

[@elhior23]

​@@Triggerboy62 This is called training. I have never heard a race coach from Europe or the US use the term free skiing when racers are training. Watching world cup racers free ski is a whole different thing and incredible to watch. This is not free skiing this is training everywhere. edit: they are in closed terrain without any other skiers because it is closed for them to train on.

[@rebelsportsholidayinn6321]

Paula skiing wedge entries is not a good thing.

[@Triggerboy62]

That's how she skied.....

[@rebelsportsholidayinn6321]

??@@Triggerboy62

[@pete_boy71]

they are racers,what could one expect? mikaela and petra most stable,didn`t like the austrians much allthough i`m one..no wonder they don`t win

[@Triggerboy62]

Thanks for watching. Liensberger really skis well on the race course like to day but on this free skiing run she was not that special. Interesting really. She was probably just trying something out. Not trying to make great turns.

[@markantony3875]

None of these skiers, including Shiffrin, have technique anywhere near Marcel Hirscher or the other top WC men. With Hirscher retired, even the men don't look as good, probably because they don't have the GOAT SL and GS racer to chase around anymore. The women's WC has been incredibly weak on talent the past few years, even more so now that Shiffrin is undecided about how much longer she will be racing. I don't know if I would be using any of them as examples for younger athletes.

[@Triggerboy62]

Thanks for watching and yes, we all miss GOAT Hirscher.

[@aehsrose]

Great footage, Gawd dang awful music y’all.

[@Triggerboy62]

Thanks but sorry for the music. It was either this or shady hip-hop...

[@koitaki]

@@Triggerboy62 Its definitely odd music for the clips, but it's amusingly quirky and helps make your channel entertaining....so its a green light for me with your music 👌😁

[@williamspostoronnim9845]

Обалденный футадж!!!

[@SuperWeissmuller]

@@Triggerboy62 great music tom!

[@alessandropia1680]

Questi filmati al rallentatore fanno pena.

[@Triggerboy62]

Grazie :)

[@Biguardone2]

La Shiffrin è la Bibbia dello sci anche quando non gareggia

[@Triggerboy62]

Exactomundo :)