 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| superchoward wrote: |
| DrBullet, I'm not saying it wouldn't be scary, I definitely wouldn't do it! I haven't skied at the speeds of downhill skiers either although IMO going as fast as they do down a course with bends, jumps and obstacles e.g. cliff faces and rocks would be scarier than that. Both of them are brave guys for sure, I just think they overdramatise things each week on the programme but the content is excellent. |
Are you presuming he was relaxed and chilled just before setting off down the Hahnenkamm? Almost certainly bricking himself then too and I don't blame him. I think their reactions are genuine, even though it does come across as being dramatic on TV. What an amazing job to have.
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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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| Peter Ross wrote: |
DrBullet, I think I would feel sick also, Graham Bell was looking pretty nervous also and he was a downhiller! Both activities the presenter did on Sunday were scary.
But in speed skiing how do you get faster? Leaving aside the kit and the slope steepness etc. from a skier technique perspective what is required? As it looks like its about tucking and that's about it?
Spikyhedgehog, I clocked about 100km/h in a speed test in Val Gardena and that was my first fun. I'd say if I took off my jacket and tucked a bit more 120km would be achieveable. |
From a skiing point of view, it's about keeping your skis as flat and straight as possible. This may sound simple but the flatter the ski the more lateral "wash"...and more lateral movement causes turbulence (and therefore drag) and increases chance of catching an edge and falling (or breaking your tuck and slowing down). Most skiers, at very high speeds will "go up onto their edges" to some extent to counteract this effect. However, it is very difficult to do this without entering (however slight) a snowplough position. Any deviation from absolutely parallel skis will have an enormous effect on speed.
The skiers tuck will also affect the impact of this scenario. If the skier gets "back seat", particularly towards the bottom of the course where the compression (there is almost ALWAYS some compressive effect) will force the weight backwards; the skiers weight will be transfered into the tails of their skis and push the tails out thereby exacerbating the snowploughing effect.
So, the ideal technique is to keep your skis as flat as possible but maintain lateral control by very judicious use of edging....whilst pushing forward to keep your weight between your toes. The differene this can make is HUGE. On the same run where I focused on my tuck rather than focusing letting my skis run, I would say I was up to 5% slower...that's 10kph above 200kph!
Ps. Various racers have different edge set ups. Generally racers run edges which have been dramatically de-tuned. Myself and Marc Poncion probably had the most extremely polished, completely rounded edges on the citcuit...this enabled tolerance of some lateral wash and reduced the penalty for any edging for controling lateral stablility.
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I think the reason for the 'exaggerated' reactions is perhaps because me and you would probably keep our traps firmly shut in fear of undertaking these tasks. On TV as presenters they need to say something, they can hardly be silent. By talking about it in that manner it helps them to deal with their nerves. That is what I suspect, but it gets irritating when the BBC keeps showing them repeating themselves.
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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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I was a bit puzzled by last nights episode. All the palaver rescuing him - but who was on the other end of the rope that he was on?? Did I miss something? Having said that I thought it was good that they showed how easy it is to get into trouble.
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| firebug wrote: |
I was a bit puzzled by last nights episode. All the palaver rescuing him - but who was on the other end of the rope that he was on?? Did I miss something?
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They did say at the start of that segment that they had people standing by and on the end of the rope. And obviously for that one, thehre was also at least one cameraman around.
I think if they felt he was in serious danger at any point, they would have pulled him out, but otherwise just wanted to show how difficult rescue could be.
| Quote: |
Having said that I thought it was good that they showed how easy it is to get into trouble. |
Agreed.
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Ah, I guess you're right. 
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Its interesting that he really did seem to become seriously worried after an hour or so, even tho he knew that he could (presumably?) be dragged out at any time. Effects of cold and exposure or was he just hamming it up for the tele? Good show
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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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It can't have been much fun getting that cold, even knowing that you're basically safe. Probably hamming it up a bit tho
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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DrBullet, how long are the skis they use?
firebug, I thought they both looked very cold, Leigh was in a precarious position, I think in those conditions it would take long to feel very cold when you aren't moving. It reminds me of the time I was in Cervinia with -50C wind chill, my hands got so cold (with gloves) I had to stop early (very very unusual for me).
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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 spent 10.5 hrs in a shallow snow scrape in gusts that hit 118mph and didn't get down from the mountains until 30 hours after setting off. It really is bloody uncomfortable but fun in a 'camping in terrible conditions' type of way. Remember... the definition of an adventure is something bad happening to someone else 
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Utterly amazing scenery in both Patagonia and the Chilean Andes. I think both presenters are just great, I love their good humour. Excellent viewing.
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You know it makes sense.
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Awesome tonight, awe inspiring scenery and seeing mountains created and glaciers shaping the landscape just amazing!
Would love to go there sometime!
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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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The funniest thing I have seen in a long time, two blokes in a blow up boat wearing crampons, priceless.
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Poster: A snowHead
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jbob, lol, don't forget the pink "pantalloons" as well - never mind the practicalities, surely a serious fashion faux pas!
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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, 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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Just had to admire Guido's ice climb. Quite something.
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| achilles wrote: |
| Just had to admire Guido's ice climb. Quite something. |
Yup, most amusing that neither of the 'boys' could match it, despite having the rope and belays already positioned!
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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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Not, I hasten to add, that I'm suggesting I could do any better! 
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| jbob wrote: |
| The funniest thing I have seen in a long time, two blokes in a blow up boat wearing crampons, priceless. |
I id wonder how they were avoiding puncturing the boats.
Although they didn't put the crampons on until they were in the grey boat, which I think had a solid floor.
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FAQ
