 Poster: A snowHead
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Thank goodness, it's not just me. I know that they can both ski, but that doesn't necessarily qualify them to pass their personal opinions on a ski racers style and make inane very subjective comments on the state of mind of any racer (e.g. I think he looks very nervous standing in the start as he waits for the course to be cleared etc). Perhaps they would both benefit from watching those old films of Franz Klammer's downhill runs when he was winning races and gold medals. He looked like he was going to fall down the mountains at any moment, but beat all the opposition. Was it elegant? No, but it was very quick! Pretty please can we have commentators with real knowledge and understanding? Maybe Konrad Bartelski, Graham Bell, Chemmy Alcott etc.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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John Clarke obviously knows his stuff but he's woeful as commentator or summariser. He fails to heed the first lesson of TV commentary - let the pictures do the talking. I have complained to Eurosport about this windbag but he continues to drone on and on and on.... 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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How did you manage to complain directly to Eurosport? I completely agree with you as you will have gathered. The question is: What can we do about it? Their commentary comes over to me as being breathtakingly arrogant. How about Mr Fellows and Mr Clark starting any race they are commentating on by skiing the course as a forerunner to show us all how it should be skied and of course commentate as they ski down.......and lets also have a real racer observe and comment on their performance. I think this was something either Martin or Graham Bell used to do before commentating on a race. Now those pictures would indeed do the talking.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| lynnecha wrote: |
| Emma Carrick-Anderson was the best during the Olympics. She explained the 'why' and the 'how' not just the described the 'what'. |
She did the Women's race in Val at the weekend for Eurosport, definitely better then the usual guys.
I'd say on average I prefer Eurosport as Ed Leigh is a bit of a tool, but Graham Bell's course runs are one of the best bits of TV in the whole year.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Howard James, Eurosport used to have a moderated online winter sports forum; I was one of many, many contributors who wished that just for once Clark would put a sock in it!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
Ed Leigh is a bit of a tool
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Are you referring to Ed's alter-ego 'Satan Whoppercock'?
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Well LOTA I don't know how to volunteer for these things, but I would love to meet these characters, or their bosses, face to face. They both need to learn that silence can say everything about a racer's performance. Their comments say an awful lot about them trying to be the stars rather than the racer doing the descent. I am really warming to the idea of them being made to ski the course before the race, just to show us how it should be skied....... I suspect that the resort will need to notify the ski patrol and the helicopter rescue team. Can you imagine the Hahnenkamm or the Wengen downhill commentary after their descent? COMPLETE SILENCE!! Yay!
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Howard James, I don't seem to be able to find your race record on the FIS website, maybe you could post the link.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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JC is one of the best coaches ever.
Anyway...who saw Dave Ryding skiing like a champ!
Go Rocket!!!
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Well, ris??? You won't find any FIS results for me simply because there aren't any. Sadly, I have never raced as I came to skiing way too late to compete. The best I have done is HALF the downhill George Mauduit in Meribel just after they had taken the gates out, but left all the pine fronds in place. This was after a Europa Cup race - the under 18 year olds! I skied the course from the start to the tree line and just loved it. Would I have been any good at it in reality? I have no idea. Those who know Meribel will be aware that this wasn't recently! When I pulled up I was utterly spent and had to stand where I was for a good 5 minutes to recover. The experience was a bit like sex, but it lasted longer..... The good news is that I was a member of a mens olympic gymnastics team who were British Team Champions for three consecutive years so I do know a lot about body control, balance, dynamics, trajectories, strength, etc etc.
As for Atomic?? If JC is such a wonderful coach: Why does he make such imprudent comments during a race? He often gets his observations totally wrong suggesting that someone is skiing badly only, as I said, to be proved wrong as the skier gets a green light at the next timing point. The opposite also applies. He might well be a good teacher, I am not sure about coach. He really should play back his comments on almost any race after the event. If he is a good teacher he might well learn something from doing the foregoing and temper his remarks accordingly.
Doesn't anyone on this site have a normal name? What's with the codes?
I really would like to see these two commentators ski the course with camera attached as fore-runners and show us how the race should be skied. There we go - these's the challenge. Any bets as to whether either of them actually has the balls to do it for a season? I thought not.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Why are you so angry?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I quite like John Clark.
I have a normal name.
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Have a good Christmas everyone!
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You know it makes sense.
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@Howard James, JC is an outstanding coach and is well thought of within the race world. His main problem is the first-class tit sitting next to him at all the men's races and all the big events like Olympics and Worlds. Fellowes never tires of his own voice even though the public were sick of it before the end of his first season of commentating. A lot of what JC has to say is to mitigate the drivel coming from his co-commentator. Left to his own devices he offers a quality analysis of the run and he is on the whole totally impartial (i.e. not constantly banging on about Vonn if it is a ladies race or Miller if it is a men's race)
Like Tarquin, I also have a normal name, but I prefer to keep private that between me and my friends! 
Merry Christmas everyone, Gesegnete Weihnachten an alle, Joyeux Noël à toute la monde, Buon Natale a tutti, Feliz Navidad! Счастли́вого Рождества́!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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I have a normal name
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well that answers one or two questions I guess. Sue Samerberg, it sounds like some of you have a better impression of John Clark than have I, but you may have personal experience of him as a teacher. I am just a lover of skiing and the commentary that accompanies Nick and John's attendance at any FIS event actually detracts from the race rather than adding anything to it, and surely that must be wrong. I am assuming they are getting paid for their contributions and that is not good. As far as I am aware John is not a coach of any of the top flight racing teams. If I am wrong please feel free to correct me. I cannot possibly say whether, or not, JC is well thought of in alpine ski racing circles as I don't move in them.
AtOmic why on earth do you think I am angry? I haven't really contributed very much to this forum, but I do find the commentaries of Nick Fellows and John Clark rather irritating. Just play back their commentaries on almost any race to hear them get it wrong, or to come out with things like, "...He is too far back on his skis for my liking...(Nick Fellows)" Then the racer puts in a top time. Their personal opinions and/or likings are not really relevant and perhaps they would be best kept to themselves especially when someone is risking serious injury or in some cases even death on downhills. Again in attempting to be constructive: Why don't they just take a little time out and listen to Sky F1 commentaries - they might learn something about the art of commentating.
I still say I would like to see them ski the race course as forerunners then they would be better qualified to pass comments/observations on any of racers efforts.
Oh, and I too hope all of you have a very happy Christmas and a snow laden New Year. The Three Valleys are looking rather too green for my liking!!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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seasons greeting to all
Glad you're all having fun and games this winter and watching our great sport courtesy of the FIS World Cup Tours. Re some of the comments above, especially the 'forerunner challenge' ones; I have to say I would love to be able to ski a WC DH/SG/GS/SL as a forerunner but it's not really possible. The forerunners are usually individuals who can use the experience to help grow their own athletic career and whose local club put them in for the role, that's not always the case but essentially and most impotantly for the OC, they can actually test the course out - eg Giorgio Rocca on Monday night in Madonna di Campiglio.
As for doing it at the likes of Kitzbuehel, Bormio or Wengen, suggesting that is bonkers. Unless at Wengen, but only if I could stop for a small refreshment at Wengernalp.... But seriously, anyone who thinks this is a good idea obviously hasn't a Scooby about these hills.
In my defence tho', I did race at Sochi. It was extremely challenging, almost scary especially considering that prior to this excursion I had only worn a pair of SG skis once ever - one week before, and hadn't run a 'proper' DH since before my kids were born. Sochi is a'Proper' DH BTW.
Despite all these real and otherwise perceived shortcomings I really do know WTF I am talking about when it comes to analysis of performance on a slippery slopes.
Looking forward to the New Year and a bunch of fun out there on the hills. And, finally, I'm all for meeting up and having a ski around with anyone who fancies. Our beautiful sport is the best in terms of its mix of socialising, adrenalising and one-upmanising there is. As they used to say in the Winking Owl; "The only place for high speed advanced turns is on the hill"..
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@jcjc, bold response and well done! But please, please, please just let the pictures tell the tale from time to time! 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Cheers @LOTA I am with you on that one. JC
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Errr sorry also meant to add,,, Bold? Please explain that bit.
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Bold as in bold to stick your swede above the parapet; would have been much easier to have filed under 'ignore those who don't understand'!
And remember: silence is golden!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Do I gather that @jcjc is John Clark? I really have no idea, sorry if that offends anyone. As far as saying I have no idea about skiing that might be just a little harsh. I have been skiing for over something over 30 years so I rather think I do have some idea of what I am talking about. If this is John Clark it would be good if you could gag Nick Fellows, that would certainly tone things down a bit. And, of course, you are right about skiing the course. I rather fancy that Mr Fellows would not get out of the starting gate on any downhill. Please don't forget the risks these skiers are taking on downhill, super G and GS in particular. Some recognition of their skill and courage would be much better than inappropriate comments on technique - unless you can do it better. I will be in Mottaret for a month from 10th January. If it is John Clark I am talking to I would welcome a face to face chat. Oh, and my wife and I are honorary members of the S3V Ski Patrol so, trust me, I do know what I am talking about. First stop in the mornings is normally Chalet Tonia. I would indeed very much like to meet. I am rather old for the one up-manship stuff though. Plan B would be to meet at L'Arpasson almost any day.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Anyway... it is priceless when my wee boy runs
up to me..."Dad dad John is on the telly!"
My boy is autistic and has not yet met John.
He will as we will be skiing soon.
Happy New Year!
Fraser L from CSC.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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And there was silence...eh?
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Jc have a good un. Will catch up one day in Avie!
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You know it makes sense.
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Well I guess that is that then - Silence is golden so they say. Now there is a lesson that could be applied to commentaries on FIS races.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Hey Fraser @at0mic .... Hope to see on the hill in Scotland somewhere in the New Year... That's th rough plan for now followed by Wengen a bit of Colorado and then some Meribel for the World Cup Finals, hopefully interspersed with a few coaching gigs along the way. A very Good New Year to you all.  JC
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Poster: A snowHead
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Is this some sort of mutual admiration society or something?
Why is it that we British have no skier with the ability to ski World Cup anything? We have had one or two along the way, but for the nation who just about invented the sport of racing down mountains we do not appear to be very good at it. Conrad Bartelski, the Bell brothers, Chemy Alcott, Emma Carrick Anderson and one Scottish slalom skier who got himself disqualified from best descent, excepted.
One other thing jc; I think you are very wrong to suggest that the only place for high speed advanced turns is on the hill. I would say that should say the race course or fenced off separate policed training pistes. It's comments like that, that cause the testosterone loaded immature males in particular to ski faster than their actual technical abilities indicate as prudent, putting everyone else at risk of serious injury. They think they are immune to making mistakes and are fantastic skiers especially on all these groomed pistes. Bring back the days when there were no groomed pistes and you actually had to be able to ski properly. Over the years I've seen too many accidents caused by people skiing faster than their abilities resulting in injury to third parties. Why would you want to encourage that? Sorry but I would say that is not the sort of comment I would expect from any coach worth his salt. http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/images/smiles/icon_puzzled.gif
On the upside there has been a wonderful dump of snow in Meribel/Mottaret which can only be a good thing for all of us. Maybe, just maybe, I will bump into you. You know where I will be or alternatively the places to avoid in the Meribel valley.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Dave Ryding is going extremely well in WC SL currently ranked 21st in the WC standings (I think), he has posted GB's best men's Alpine results since Alain Baxter purple patch back in 2001-2002.
Hopefully you'll all watch him in action in Zagreb Jan 6th 14:00 & 17:00 GMT on Eurosport.
Our Winter Paralympian skiers managed a decent haul of medals and some other very strong placings in Sochi.
We have a number of upcoming youngsters too - you can research via www.fisski.com.
Bonne Glisse!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Howard James wrote: |
| Silence is golden so they say. Now there is a lesson that could be applied to commentaries on FIS races. |
Amen to that! It's not radio. If the info's on the screen, ie who's in the start gate, the timing intervals etc, it doesn't need to be said. Football, horse racing etc has many people on screen so these kind of sports need more input from a commentator but skiing does not. Watch figure skating, where it may be said, something like, "Excellent landing on the lutz" or "I think that may have been under-rotated and will only be marked as a double". The majority of the time, we are just left to enjoy watching the skating.
I do, occasionally, get so annoyed by the ski commentary that I mute it but then I lose the atmosphere as I can't hear the skis on snow or the crowd, or, sometimes, the skier shouting/squealing. On the rare occasions when technology goes wrong and the commentary is lost but everything else can be heard, they always apologise. I wish it happened more often.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Well now jcjc I see you are right about Dave Ryding in the slalom. Thanks for that. I have , as you provided the link, checked the results. At least he has done reasonably in one race so that's a start. Lets hope he continues to improve.
Where are the downhillers, Super GS and GS skiers then? Clearly we have something fundamentally wrong with the way that potential ski racers are identified and trained. Lets not talk about winning the UK championship as, in fairness, there is no real class competition to properly measure a contestants true performance.
I love skiing and would really like to see, and support, some ace British racers. Sadly there are not any out there......
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c'mon... Dave Ryding shurely qualifies as 'ace', in fact I'd give him an Ace plus. To get an idea of how well he skis you can watch him on various online platforms including the last 2 EC's in Chamonix and also again on the telly on Tuesday, 6th Jan. afternoon/evening. I'm surprised that you as a keen skier and former Olympian hadn't realised we were actually doing quite well in skisport! Hope you've also checked up on the Winter PAralympic results I mentioned. They are really World Class.
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Cheers John!
Dave "the rocket" is awsome right now.
The boy is on form!
I would say he may surpass Alain.
Also check out for local talent Tilley and Guest
(When she gets back to full tilt)
If you dinnae like what you hear on the telly there is a wee button called MUTE.
You just need to press it once.
And the paras are world class a brace of medals in one games!
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Yay! Ski Sunday is back today. Desperate to see some racing. Been reading about it online and seen the odd video clip, but that's no substitute for being able to watch it on TV.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@queen bodecia, Women's Slalom on the red button too. 2nd run at 11:40
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@halfhand, fabulous! Thanks for that.
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FAQ
