by h.harb » Tue Jan 28, 2014 7:18 pm
It's actually a simple view point, Kristofferson just an amazing talent, and he has cleaned up his skiing as far as his upper body during the season. It shows. He seems to really focus on what the best are doing and learning. Different from the Swedes who seem to be stubbornly focused on touching their hands on the snow and rotating. The Italian Team except for Thaler is a mess, poor direction, poor coaching, and bad equipment and set ups.
Felix, Marcel, Kristofferson and sometimes Pintaurault are the cream at the top. One mistake by anyone of them, and the tables turn. Two mistakes and you are 3rd or 4th, still a big step ahead of the rest, but not top 3. Kristofferson really skied it smart, cooled it near the bottom to set up perfectly for the final steep. Hirscher as usual was a little wild, but right on the skis and gaining in time until he screwed up before the final steep, got low and lost at least 0.40. Felix skied very well every where, just missed a little on the energetic flexing and rebound. Just finished his turns a little too clean. Pintaurault was off, just couldn't find the line.
Matt was good, he's still not to be underestimated with his speed, but had some luck, with the top 4, he could still surprise people at the Olympics.
There are definitely some equipment trends to take notice. The Lange and Rossi skiers, in particular the Solvanian and the Russian, and some Rossi boot set ups are really soft. That means they are really knocked kneed. These skiers are much better than their results, that includes Haugen. It's sad to watch them working so hard, it's not bad technique it's bad boot set up. The skiers on Fischer boots also still really struggling, it's just not working. Look at the overall Italian Team, great talent, but they are almost all on Fischer boots what huge error. It's amazing the coaches don't see it.