Alpine Skiing - Moderated

 

Re: How come...

Mike wrote:
> The Germans don't have a good alpine team?

Why aren't there very many Olympic class alpine skiers from the US
midwest? Maybe lack of mountains has something to do with it?

> I know they excel at the boreal
> biathlon (X-country and marksmanship).

You don't need mountains for either of those pursuits.

//Walt

 

Article References :

How come...
 

See Also : Re: Various

Mike wrote:

> * At races, why don't they account for weather in the timed events. The
> USSA should hire some type of physicist that would run some type of
> mathematical formula that would account for changes in between run of air
> temperature, wind, snow
> temperature. Wouldn't it be more exact that way?

The problem with handicapping is that it places too much power in the
hands of those doing the handicapping. Hang around a PHRF sailboat
racing club for a season to get a taste of this.

>
> * What do you think of Autumn skiing? My usual thought is that the earth
> is so barren and cold it wouldn't be good. But I skied at thanksgiving a
> couple of years ago. And it was kind of like spring skiing. The trail was
> 60 yards wide and the artificial snow swath was maybe 20 yard. There were
> parts where you had to walk over dirt/grass.

I think Autumn skiing is great. The first day of winter is Dec 21, and
I've usually gotten in ten or more days by then.

>
> * Roadtrip anyone? Late one night I caught this show on pbs Passport to
> adventure in which they feature Gdare (sic?) ski resort outside Tblisi,
> Georgian Republic in The Caucus Mountains. Looked pretty deserted.

Sorry, can't drive to Europe from here. It'd be a plane trip.

>
> * Is it ok to leave wax on your skis (without scraping) during the off
> season. I live by the ocean and the salt air does a jobber on anything
> metallic it seems.

It's more than OK, it's necessary for proper ski maintenance. A coat of
storage wax is de rigure.

>
> * Anyone ever been to a world cup alpine event?

Yes, many many people have attened these things.

> Was it worth your while?
> Did it interfere with your skiing?

Yes. Those darn gates were in my way, and they kept yelling "get off
the course" whatever that means.

//Walt