Thomas Alsgaard comments on technique...

I asked Alsgaard what was the most critical things to focus on as far as
technique that yield the most speed. His answer: "go by feel..." he went on to
explain that people tend to focus on minute technical components of proper
skiing technique whereas he believed that the best way to improve technique is
to ski and vary cadence and skate stokes subtley to see what works best for you
(and the best way to test this is to ski behind someone of equal ability and
try different technique modificaions) He stated that he did not believe that
there was one best technique, to focus on what makes YOU go fast...keep the big
picture in mind and dont get lost in technique details and minutia....I found
it interesting that one of the best skaters in the world was basically
suggesting something I had also decided years ago...that I would try to figure
out what works best for me by going out and trying to vary my technique
slightly in different situations to see what works best and not to be over
concerned about using "proper" technique suggestions when they dont seem to
ake me go faster...perhaps Potter had this right all along...its all about
maintaining momentum down the track in a way that works best for you....

minutia....I found
it interesting that one of the best skaters in the world was
basically
suggesting something I had also decided years ago...that I would try
to figure
out what works best for me by going out and trying to vary my
technique
slightly in different situations to see what works best and not to be
over
concerned about using "proper" technique suggestions when they dont
seem to
ake me go faster...perhaps Potter had this right all along...its all

As a coach and someone who has benefitted from coaching I'd like to
point out that you and Thomas are the exceptions. Very few people
(myself included) can just figure out optimal technique). I would not
be a decent skater if Zach Caldwell had not straightened me out. And
the feedback I've received from passing along his insights tells me
that others benefit from outside observation and feedback.

Rob Bradlee

Let's add to this Picasso's idea... : )

....of once you've trained the hand, let the hand do its thing.

--

Jeff Potter
****
*Out Your Backdoor * http://www.outyourbackdoor.com
publisher of outdoor/indoor do-it-yourself culture...
...offering "small world" views on bikes, bows, books, movies...
...rare books on ski, bike, boat culture, plus a Gulf Coast thriller
about smalltown smuggling ... more radical novels coming up!
...original downloadable music ... and articles galore!
plus national "Off the Beaten Path" travel forums! HOLY SMOKES!

You can always pick out a bike racer skiing from a km away !

Remember what happened when Daehlie tried to copy Alsgaard's
technique.

Remember a certain Italian Marillio Dezolt ? Ugh! but he was FAST (and old).

jw
milwaukee

Remember a certain Italian Marillio Dezolt ? Ugh! but he was FAST (and
old).

jw
milwaukee

And I think probably had a very good doctor.

Remember the "ughs" we sighed watching Muelleg bulldog his way to a SLC 50
Km medal?

Good medicine maybe can prevail over bad technique at the WC level it seems.

Gary Jacobson
Rosendale, NY

J999w wrote:
You can always pick out a bike racer skiing from a km away !

Remember what happened when Daehlie tried to copy Alsgaard's
technique.

Remember a certain Italian Marillio Dezolt ? Ugh! but he was FAST
(and old).

and tough!
I saw him roller skiing on the hard shoulder of the autostrada from
our tourbus window, he was miles from any road junction or houses.
I asked the driver about the stories of DeZolt running uphill to race
the cable car and he took a detour into the next valley to show me the
site. Cant remember the names but its near Fass/Fiemme.
Mike

(J999w) wrote in message ...
You can always pick out a bike racer skiing from a km away !

JW,

I still like to think of myself as a bike racer, but I only race about
once a year. If you want to check out my technique, look at:

http://www.skinnyski.com/training/ar...afton50k1.html

and then look at the Dave Christopherson and Jay Wenner movie clip,
and I'm following Dave. (Thanks Bruce.)

As you look at the clip, you should remember that I've never had a
lesson, but I've had Toby offer a some tips on a few occasions. I
guess I did get an official lesson in classic about 7 years ago, but
the coaches looked at the video and said "It looks pretty good to me."
They had me quit reaching with my foot, which was a change I made for
the video thinking it was better technique.

Jay Wenner

BTW, I pulled out the rollerboard plans you sent about 10 years ago,
and I'm still threatening to make a rollerboard.

Geez, you are kicking back man. Watch a clip of Alsgaard. The ski
needs to slide forward at the end of the kick. You're killing your
momentum in an otherwise smooth and rhythmic stride.
(I only watched the trip up the Coulee behind Dave).

Rob Bradlee

--- "Sly D. Skeez" wrote:
(J999w) wrote in message
...
You can always pick out a bike racer skiing from a km away !

JW,

I still like to think of myself as a bike racer, but I only race
about
once a year. If you want to check out my technique, look at:

http://www.skinnyski.com/training/ar...afton50k1.html

and then look at the Dave Christopherson and Jay Wenner movie clip,
and I'm following Dave. (Thanks Bruce.)

As you look at the clip, you should remember that I've never had a
lesson, but I've had Toby offer a some tips on a few occasions. I
guess I did get an official lesson in classic about 7 years ago, but
the coaches looked at the video and said "It looks pretty good to
me."
They had me quit reaching with my foot, which was a change I made for
the video thinking it was better technique.

Jay Wenner

BTW, I pulled out the rollerboard plans you sent about 10 years ago,
and I'm still threatening to make a rollerboard.






=====
Rob Bradlee
Java, C++, Perl, XML, OOAD, Linux, and Unix Training

Probably why longterm relation with a coach is a good thing. Also why
timetrials should be done over and over with different techniques or to
evaluate a technique: If it's faster, that's nice. If the supposedly better way
is slower even after you adapt to it, I'd have my doubts! Seems like a coach
would work with you regarding TT's and technique: if you seemed to be getting
faster with a certain technique direction then that would be an impt factor I'd
think. For most of us citizens just working on variations of the ole
ride'n'glide is probably more than enough to even get wins. Get yer stable
position, bone-on-bone then as you get fitter turn it over faster and faster! :
)

--

Jeff Potter
****
*Out Your Backdoor * http://www.outyourbackdoor.com
publisher of outdoor/indoor do-it-yourself culture...
...offering "small world" views on bikes, bows, books, movies...
...rare books on ski, bike, boat culture, plus a Gulf Coast thriller
about smalltown smuggling ... more radical novels coming up!
...original downloadable music ... and articles galore!
plus national "Off the Beaten Path" travel forums! HOLY SMOKES!

....and for us citizens who don't have access to a coach on a regular basis,
I think that on-snow clinics are the way to go. There are several, and most
are well worth the time and expense. I took the clinic from the XCZONE guys
three or four years ago, and am still consiously applying what I learned.


Tim
(By the way, I have heard that XCZONE is doing another set of clinics this
year in the Gatineau park. I highly recommend taking them if they're
offered.)

on 12/4/03 14:53, Jeff Potter wrote:

Probably why longterm relation with a coach is a good thing. Also why
timetrials should be done over and over with different techniques or to
evaluate a technique: If it's faster, that's nice. If the supposedly better
way
is slower even after you adapt to it, I'd have my doubts! Seems like a coach
would work with you regarding TT's and technique: if you seemed to be
getting
faster with a certain technique direction then that would be an impt factor
I'd
think. For most of us citizens just working on variations of the ole
ride'n'glide is probably more than enough to even get wins. Get yer stable
position, bone-on-bone then as you get fitter turn it over faster and
faster! :
)