h.harb wrote:Schwartz is still coming back from his ACL but is least in the mix, not of fan of his technique either, too much Norwiegn in it. Leaning, hand dragging, outside hip-high, not following in Hirscher's path.
Argh, don't get me started . . . Norway's skiing paradigm is unfortunately infested with Ron LeMaster. Every master thesis on the subject I have read refeers to one or more of his assumptions as parameters, not to be questioned. Logically, in their conclusions they will continue to see upper body inclination as an integral component of the four key components of developing angles. Of course, they also accept as parameter that up-unweighing is as fast and efficient a release to get your CoM down the trajectory as down-unweighing. When you have one of these themes (up-unweighing), you must also have the other (inclination).
If all this was kept theoretical, ok. Sadly, in this case, universities and grassroot has always had close ties in Norway. So what conclusions degree-chasing scientists reach (often with little bodily knowledge of the art of the turn themselves, relying on the 'validity of' second-hand knowledge from external sources) is accepted as gospel and practiced across the nation, in clubs, seeping into the curriculum of ski instructor degrees, even ski gymnasiums (NTG, the school for future champions, for instance).
The ski section of Olympiatoppen has an public section dedicated to ski technique instructions. Some of the old-school drills still being taught, and examplified as the best the nation currently has to offer, would have you gasp for a PMTS oxygen mask. It includes leading with the inside-hand to the snow for early angles, getting 'hips' forward with extension/up unweighting drills, and much more. They also have some shocking steering drills I think PSIA would be proud of.
The state of theory these days, when the dominant design is outdated and unquestioned; down the ravine we go.
Edit: Didn't Schwarz also have his meniscus fixed? I thought his ACL had healed, and post-opeational meniscus stiffness is what he is struggling with this season?
If his was seen anything like mine (medial), I can relate. It's supposed to be healed between 4-6 months. But 8 months in and I still feel very stiff on my left knee (though after warming up it's better), almost like a pinch when the knee is in full extension.