The Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Olympics will separate the platinum level giant slalom skiers now competing in the world ranks. Dominating the world cup ski runs these last years are superstars like Bode Miller who shred giant runs and finish consistently in medalist positions.
Variation in course grooming proves the better skiers will win the slalom. Getting bounced by the terrain means fatigue and altitude can show in rubbery legs and windmilling through the finish line. Observing course tweaks and specialty areas can smooth speeds during the downhill portion and fast gates increase difficulty exponentially. Aerodynamics through the diving jumps and a hard run free of course errors can still only qualify inside the top ten of world Olympic slalom finishes. In Vancouver, a sliver of time could cost five places of final finish placement.
Hard impacts crashes and turns that develop into crashing falls are common with razor thin margins of error. Giant slalom technique requires split second timing and millisecond decision making to cut down on hesitation that causes speed dumps midcourse. Educated fans know when turns or stances are not right, and lack of whooshing ice and skidding snow means speeds are well out of medalist range. Changing the axis of the skiing requires strength and poise at high variable speeds, in cold, wind and possibly snow or rain conditions.
Inspired recovery can still only place a gifted skier below medal position in the finish. Quick speed through traverses demands lightly skimming skis with balanced weigh through S turns on deep knee slants through turns and high velocity skids, turns, and slopes. Many skiers specialize in either downhill or giant slalom to train and hone skiing skills in one discipline. Skis should arc into turns and set up edges into and through S turns to maximize speed and efficiency. Without the proper angling of the skis, competitors must actually brake their speed to avoid skiing out of the gates, fences, marks or off the course.
The linear run of a winning combined giant slalom must glide through the flats, slip over the rough, take speedy air and carve turns without getting caught on snow or ice. Aerodynamics featuring swift compression through gated turns and fences leaves no room for error. Crashes and completions off the skis are not uncommon in medalist giant slalom runs. Control of speed and aggressive navigation of course run with optimum efficiency governs the world class league of skiers.
Safety techniques and concentration in training are the best preventative measures against spectacular crashes resulting in severe injuries.
Exposure to channels of wind or tunnels of mountain exposure can grate on even the best skier# s slalom finish time. Pulling off a half second shave means training hard and bumping up great technique under pressure. Riding skis too heavily or catching air with too much velocity can cause a disastrous spill. Conservative run times on hills and passes between skiers bunch up when a course is particularly dangerous as many skiers are running other races and don# t want to risk their entire tournament showing on one giant slalom run.
Bumps and flying jumps must carve edges through the turns while conserving efficiency in turn arcs to set up a finish in straightaways or drops to the finish line. Slalom savvy comes with time. But errors in judgment and overconfidence at the giant slalom level can mean serious injury. Traveling at nearly 90 miles an hour, skiers must weigh each skiing decision with their lives.
The slalom giant combined event at the Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Winter Olympic Games will be one of the best ever. At the time this article was posted it is one of the few events where tickets are still readily available at decent prices.
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