Alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin training at Levi 2021

[@AlvarHugosson]

Looks soooo easy. No unnecessary moves, just flowing. Thanks for sharing!

[@Triggerboy62]

Yes, FLOW. I actually taught of naming it just that but savig it for future lesson 👍

[@MrDogonjon]

She truly promotes "The Principle of Least Action" Her excitations are cleary showing economy of motion.

[@drl1046]

So amazing to watch her - a meditation. She is floating. Especially visible in the shots when you pan and she’s then skiing away from the camera. Her upper body is a cloud floating down the pitch. We’re so lucky to be able to see / study her like this. Thanks for posting.

[@Triggerboy62]

Wow, thank you so much for such great feedback. Yes, super nice to watch her ski. Cheers, T

[@racerdaveracerdave]

Sensational video Tom! Just outstanding. What a treat to be able to see her up close and in slow motion like you showed. 👏 Remember your video about retracting in the transition and extending in the turn? Well, that's it right there!

[@Triggerboy62]

Thanks and thanks for watching. Yes, you've got it. Thats it, nailed it 💪

[@bradforddavis6497]

Beautiful visual, great sound. The GOAT is best left uncommented. 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

[@Triggerboy62]

Wow, thank you!

[@tombarbeausr7022]

Thanks, so glad you are back for a new season, cheers

[@Triggerboy62]

Yes, when winter comes Im back. Going to Levi for the WC training. Stayed tuned 😀

[@scarface548]

love the hindustani music . you are the only ski youtuber with indian music ❤

[@Triggerboy62]

Wow, since you like it that much I will use more Indian music. Personally I find it to be totally awesome. I play guitar and that drone technique together with those autentic sounds, beautiful. I love india. Cheers, Tom

[@danielsmith8171]

Wow.. beautiful form and cat-like reflexes!!

[@MrDogonjon]

She is tired of the "cat like" analogy. I preferer physics terms to describe her skiing. She functionally understands nature and that is FUN. It;s fun to watch her.

[@danielsmith8171]

@@MrDogonjon don't know her and am not a professional commentator, but that was as honest and accurate assessment as I could make after watching her ski... no offense intended...

[@MrDogonjon]

@@danielsmith8171It's the professional commentators who say "cat like " alot about her. I saw an interview where she commented on that. Maybe she's a dog person?

[@DixJT78]

amazing video

[@Triggerboy62]

Thanx :)

[@travisbacon1974]

A question about technique/form: Does she purposely move her feet fore and aft? Thanks

[@Triggerboy62]

Good question. IMO it is more a result of flexing and extending.

[@Osnosis]

I believe the short answer is yes. The ability to quickly flex/pull the ankles back/in allows for the best turn initiation with the upper body leading the way (to the greatest extent it can). Mikaela has indicated that slow, methodical skills training is how she achieves mastery.

[@Burnhillrocks]

Fantastic 🎉

[@Triggerboy62]

Thanx bro 👍

[@MrDogonjon]

She is not perfect but... she demonstrates the best "compaction satisfaction" in the business. Very little material comes out from under her feet often showing "maximum compaction satisfaction" = no snow spray, preservation of the exclusion zone under her edges. Her secret weapon, redirects put her back on line when she goes a little to straight at the gate. These compensations are rarely visible to even trained eyes. We can only gape in awe... as we should.

[@Triggerboy62]

Yes, we should :)

[@dr_nonamee]

Yo nicee! Anyways do you have any tips on what to do then you fall or crash to avoid injury in ski racing?

[@Triggerboy62]

Thanks and thanks for watching. My advice is always to stay alert and don't stop skiing until you have properly stopped. And even when you have stopped, be sure you have done so at a safe spot on the hill as the risk of getting hit by other skiers out there and there through injured is high as well. Also, don't take un necessary risks. Even when in a competition, except if you are a professional athlete but even then, only take calculated risks. And look at the whole picture, a race with two runs or a whole season, your carriere, sponsors etc. not only one gate. But there is more to it of course. For instance, work on your technique, that's my mission, trying to get my students and YT viewers to increase your know how and there through ski safer. I mean, that is the whole point of turning, to be able to control your speed not to be a danger to yourself and others. An other very important thing is to have your gear set up properly. Always wear a helmet and back protector and proper glows to protect your hands and fingers. Ski as often as you can in a padded speedsuit that have protection at legs and arms. Set your bindings correctly as not releasing and pre-releasing are as dangerous both. Do not neglect a proper warm up to have your body in tune with the task at hand. Talking about body, try to be as fit as possible. Follow the rules of the hill, only ski with people you can trust. Do not ski off-piste without proper proceedings. Also, check out my video on safe carving here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5jFhmZuos-doJosi=SJZS5J2fZMPOxV6i That was sort of some general info on ski safety. More specifically, what can you do to minimize damage once you crash? Number one would be to protect your head. So try to set up your body position in such way when crashing that you hit whatever you hit with your legs first. Second best thing I do is I try to take a hit with my back that is protected by the back protector. Depending on the speed your are having, try to slide on the snow to slow down for as long as it is possible before engaging your skis into the snow as they grab with their edges and can throw you over or rip your ligaments at the knee or hips. Also, try to have your legs stretched equally so that one ski does not slice an edge into your other leg and cut you open. Same goes for arms hands and fingers. One final thought, be sure to not loose your weight backwards. This is a bit contradictive as I specifically tell you in many videos to flex through the transition and this move in particular lends itself to hurting your knees. So be sure to learn the technique properly to avoid injury. If you are not a pro ski racer with top physics, be careful with such high level of technique. I should actually make a video on the topic as it is of great importance. Thanks for the tip and hopefully I answered at least some of your questions. Cheers, Tom

[@dr_nonamee]

Hi! I really appreciate your really well-written and in-depth response! Thank you! @@Triggerboy62

[@ShalomBrother]

🐐

[@Triggerboy62]

Yes :)

[@TG-pd3ft]

nice day for it

[@Triggerboy62]

Yes it was!

[@normalizedaudio2481]

I wonder how she keeps her pants up?

[@Triggerboy62]

Hahaa.... many things to wonder about indeed :)

[@Benzknees]

On the sideways shots she looks to be sitting back slightly, causing the front of the skis to lift in the transition.

[@Triggerboy62]

Have you watched my "how to carve low", "carve like a boss", "secret move in ski racing" etc.?

[@Benzknees]

@@Triggerboy62 - Watching your excellent videos is a must, so yes!

[@BradSabako]

Ahhhh, no benzknees… she’s just about the most neutrally balanced racer I’ve ever seen.

[@Benzknees]

@@BradSabako - The ski tips can only lift at the end of the turn if you're weighted to the rear.

[@Landwy1]

Wow!! I've seen all the greats like Stenmark ski, but she is in a class of her own. Weather conditions are similar to this year (2023) and yet looking at the current women skiing on your Levi videos...the other women aren't even close to her ability. Only Henrik K. had the ability to accelerate in every turn like Mikaela does. You have wonderful videos every year from Levi. ⛷

[@Triggerboy62]

Couldn't agree more! However, I have lots of footage to be released but simply run out of time while in Levi. Now Im back at my office and will go to work. One guy that stood out was Sam Maes. This guy was flying.