Peter Ross, I tried series linking it on sky last night... don't think there are. Interesting programme but unidimensional.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
stoatsbrother wrote:
Hurtle wrote:
It seemed to me rather in the nature of a (mild) snuff movie - focussing as it did on injuries and showing the terrible crashes over and over again. Interesting in part and I was particularly glad to have seen the interview with the guy who was paralysed, an incredibly impressive person, but overall I didn't like the particularly ghoulish slant .
Totally agreed. It spent almost the entire film dealing with the injuries and psychological and physical effects of accidents, replaying the same crashes repeatedly. It said very little about the skills, triumphs and motivations, and it would have been good to see the presenter try at least one chunk of a run. It would also be nice to see something looking at preparation by the racers, of kit etc
Nice to see some coverage, but it could have been way better.
I recorded it, but now not so keen to watch it from what people have said. For me big crashes are a part of DH, but not the focus of the event. So a programme which just deals with the worst of the wipeouts would probably leave me feeling a bit depressed rather than enlightened.
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?
I recorded it, but now not so keen to watch it from what people have said. For me big crashes are a part of DH, but not the focus of the event. So a programme which just deals with the worst of the wipeouts would probably leave me feeling a bit depressed rather than enlightened.
Likewise recorded it but now... meh. Panders to the whole voyeuristic thing - sounds like they've dressed up the ski equivilant of "Rallys Craziest Crashes 4" with a bit of psyco-science about ignoring The Fear and how to get-back-on-the-horse and shoved it out the door as the olympics are around the corner. Ah well have to see if any of the other snow related specials coming up are any better... like the one about the Arctic Man contest and trekking through BC with Bell and Leigh.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
I wouldn't go so far as to say it's not worth watching at all.
It was purely about the psychological aspect of the sport and how the racers deal with their accidents and the threat of accidents.
It was interesting when the team boss was saying that after Scott Mac's crash, over the finish line, one of his squad totally backed off, another put in a best ever performance.
You would have to be totally uninterested in the players and their mental approaches to find it voyeuristic.
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Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Shame they didn't have any female racers though. That would potentially/probably be an even more interesting physcologicaly.
After all it is free
After all it is free
bar shaker, I'd agree with that summary, not voyeuristic - perhaps rather obsessed with one aspect. Strange title for what is actually was...
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clarky999, agreed. The sport psychology of motivating women in this particular field is very interesting. I think the rather simplistic fear and flight reactions are handled differently. Maybe he can do another looking at it from his feminine side
I found it an interesting programme if somewhat macho at times. I'm not sure about repeating all those horrible falls though as that did seem a bit voyeuristic. I still marvel at Maier's achievement.
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I was a little disappointed. When I saw MJ heading up the mountain in a cable car with a load of downhillers all dressed for action I kind of assumed that we would see them skiing and MJ giving it a go (obviously within his limits). All we saw was him sideslipping to the edge of a steep bit and looking down. As he was in the cable car with Graham Bell I hoped GB might have accompanied him on a bit of a slide too.
I thought the later insights into overcoming the brains natural inclinations was interesting, though not exactly news.
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sproggski, Cheers, just back in from a meeting and went to watch it
Need to set the sky+ methinks. Whats a video machine again
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.
Great show. Agree about the interview with Beltrametti - and his strength in adversity . Given the time spent on the risk and the potential for serious injury, I was surprised that Bill Johnson didn't get at least a passing mention....
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
IMV All snow sliders should wear a helmet.
Enforced at every resort Lift displaying a sign that states;
'No Helmet = No Ride'.
Sorted.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
I found the programme interesting, but like others have said it didn't need to show as many crashes, or so many repeats of the same crashes - some of the sickening to watch really. I think it was Finlay Mickel on the programme who said that everyone watches downhill for the crashes, well I don't! I like it when someone looks like they may crash, but manages to hold it together - just.
The psychology side was interesting in dealing with the fear, and what makes the racers want to do what they do. I'd have like to see a bit more about the technical side of the sport, how much training they do, the type of drills and exercises, cross training, what they do to keep fit over the summer. What life is like when they're not skiing or training. But perhaps I'm just a bit geeky like that!
I'd like to have seen Johnson have a ski down too.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
A little off topic, but rembered that many moons ago there was a series called "Masters of Speed" fronted by Clarkson (of all people) about what makes the difference between the average competant skier/driver/whatever and champions, which leant heavily on the whole psychology of sportmen and women and how they do what they do. Was a whole series based around the concept of how people who can do these things and how their brains are wired, all very interesting stuff (IMO)
Richard_Sideways, I remember that programme, it was good stuff. I knew Colin through Nicky Grist, with whom I was good friends. WRC drivers really are gods. Its one of the very few sports I would rank as being as dangerous as downhill skiing.
Did you recognise the chap holding the stopwatch at the start of the film?
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
fantastic programme..moved by the interview with beltrametti..lauged my a$$ off when klammer mentioned "$hitting in his pants"..i just wasn't expecting it!..a good insight into the mindset of the downhill skier..what they are experiencing in the starting hut etc etc..personally, i am drawn to crashes and am glad they showed so many...you can't fully appreciate danger until you see what the consequences are...
okbye
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?
clarky999 wrote:
Shame they didn't have any female racers though. That would potentially/probably be an even more interesting physcologicaly.
I'd say it would as they have more of a self preservation instinct, my wife went into a panic if we skied near the Kitzbuhel course, never mind on it!
stoatsbrother, I would also be very interested in the other aspects of ski racing, but how much can be fitted into a 1/2 hour slot? I thought it was an excellent programme and fulfilled it's promise/premise of giving an insight into the mind-set of downhill racers. Didier Cuche was one of the best comments/insights, when he said he hadn't had any bad falls, but had broken both legs twice, also the Kalmmer "sh!tting my pants" comment.
Bring back High Altitude I say.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Peter Ross, where in the dub mntns do you ski?... can you give me some info if you get a chance.. i have a couple of touring set ups so am good to go...
Not much snow about at the moment although I can see some snow patches on the mountains from my city centre office, maybe there'd be enough to build a jump but would have to get up closer to know for sure.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Peter Ross wrote:
clarky999 wrote:
Shame they didn't have any female racers though. That would potentially/probably be an even more interesting physcologicaly.
I'd say it would as they have more of a self preservation instinct, my wife went into a panic if we skied near the Kitzbuhel course, never mind on it!
I was chatting to one of the other dads at training last night, and commented on the boys starting speed training/super-g next season. His advice? Keep mums away from speed training - their fear is infectious!
After all it is free
After all it is free
Peter Ross, thanks for that...
okbye
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To keep with the crash theme of the programme, here's Walchhofer being pulled out of the nets at Kitzbuhel
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I'm really cross as have only just found out this was on and the BBC iPlayer says its not available to viewing
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Bluebell, I think it's repeated on Saturday at 1.00 pm.
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.
great programme, interesting that they did not mention the lanzinger crash in norway (or wherever it was ) 3 years ago...there was a lot of contoversy over the medical arrangements at the race, the helicopter which could not take a stretcher, and the eventual loss of his leg
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
CEM, that was a horrible accident. I hoped they wouldn't show it.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
arv, me too, I spent the duration of the programme worrying that they would. Good call.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
arv, wasn't so much showing it i was meaning more the insight into why and how the minds of the other competitors where
i watched it as it happened while we were doing the briefng for the industry ski test that year, there were some 60 of us stood in the gondola hall in sallbach and about 5 of us were watching the screens during the meeting ...not long after the whole meeting was abandoned
the race dept guys from Atomic knew him personally as he used to be on their kit, they were in shock at the outcome for most of the week
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
If anyone is wondering 'what are they talking about?!' here is a link - http://youtube.com/v/sj-N9n6esuQ (be sure you actually want to see it before you click because it definitely can't be unseen).
CEM, must have been terrible to know Lanzinger on a personal basis and see that.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
maggi, Thank you, I'll watch it then.
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?
Jeez, that was awful. Was the fact that his ski did not come off contribute to him breaking a leg ?
bernie, it contributed to his leg being turned into matchsticks. Truly, truly dreadful.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
bernie, the damage was done very early in the fall, infact probably before the fall itself, he did not compress the compression and in slow motion it appears the the leg was broken or the ligamnets ruptured (i guess only the doctors could really tell us) at that point, the binding could not release as there was nothing for it to release againt as the integrety of the leg had already been compromised
arv, it was a sad place to be, it is not often that big austrian guys break down
I was only surprised they didn't show any fatal falls. That would have driven the point home.
But in general, yet again with Beeb snowsport coverage, I felt it was too little. So many unexplored angles - women, MJ and/or Bell tackling a WC DH course, comparing DH speeds with Super-G, GS and bobsleigh (for example), difference in mentality between WC races and Olympic... What we really need is a working in the BBC snowsports production team...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Thought it was v good overall , the Baltrametti interview was awesome, i swear i could remember the actual accident, as i've skid down that slection or runs into La Daille loads of times and always lok out for Val D'Iseres world cup runs, but maybe i just remember reruns. HUgely impressive guy.
2 books to read to give an understanding of these guys - Maier's autobiography (cheap on amazon at pres) and White Heat by Wayne Johnson - both give an insight into the difference between ski racers and the rest.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Sky + it & Watched it earlier today with my son TJ who races Europa Cup Dowhill's. We both thought it was excellent. Beltrametti's outlook on life is just humbling. Klammers "poo-poo my pants" comment made us both laugh.
He has done 5 of the world cup/Olympic courses so far. Garmisch, Lake Louise, Wengen, Meribel & Megeve.
He said you are scared at the top but that goes as soon as you push out of the gate. He was really scared when his goggles froze and he was skiing blind at 70mph in the NorAm Downhill at lake Louise in December 09. He wants to race at Kitzbuhel in the next couple of years!! We were both watching when Scott McCartney crashed there in 08, he stopped about 20m away from us. It was horrid but has not put him off.
His mum doesn't want to know about it!!!
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chrisdavis wrote:
Great show. Agree about the interview with Beltrametti - and his strength in adversity . Given the time spent on the risk and the potential for serious injury, I was surprised that Bill Johnson didn't get at least a passing mention....
Thought it was a good show, with some very interesting insights and experiences.
The Austrian coach nailed it when he said that excellent recreational skiers wouldn't be able to sideslip the course.
And was Bell wearing his skis in the cable car?
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bar shaker, this is a much better clip of Colin - http://youtube.com/v/HJps5AhTFmw Truly awesome commitment where he blew the entire field away. I was privileged enough to meet him once or twice and the guy was just unnaturally talented.
I do a lot of rallying and my degree is based around designing the rollcages in these cars. I have a Ford backed dissertation, specialising in designing the rollcage in these cars. Without a shadow of a doubt, rallying is nowhere near as dangerous as skiing. Whatever I do I do at speed, and I also like the feeling of fear. I would sooner have a big accident in a rally car than I ever would on skis.
I havent seen it yet, but for all sportsmen in 'dangerous' sports, the key element that puts them above us mere mortals is confidence. They have the confidence to be able to genuinely do 10/10ths. Our 10/10ths is probably barely 5/10ths to any world class sportman. He/She knows that even at that level of commitment, they have the ability to rescue the situation and carry on. Where we would have shut our eyes and started praying, they havent even broken a sweat...
Watch this clip and you'll see what I mean. Complete calmness in the way he deals with things... http://youtube.com/v/nLqy8lXHwJA
FAQ
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working in the BBC snowsports production team... 