The Wisconsin Skier

Received the following note in my inbox last Thursday:

Race Registration for the 2011 Birkie, Korte & Prince Haakon Events is NOW OPEN!

Skiers may register online hereor [sic] print a race application and fax it to 715-634-5663 or mail it to our office at:

ABSF
PO Box 911
Hayward WI 54843

There was more information and links in the e-mail visit the American Birkebeiner website for complete details and information.

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Below the fold is a funny video. The video stars a French downhill race skier straddling a gate, yes it features a common situation found in many sitcoms especially those of a more adult nature. The video is not funny because it is standard adult sitcom stuff. The video is funny because of what you hear from 15 to 19 seconds into the video, not watch, but listen. In addition, listen to the commentator’s comments.

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One item that came up for discussion this weekend and now it is something I am seeing other talk about is your true ability to turn when you have to. I ski down run-X and can take nice long turns and can take some tight turns (how tight depends on if I am in the groove or not). If you can carve, then you are most likely comfortable turning on your own whim.

However, turning when someone else demands you to turn can be daunting, and that is the idea behind racing around gates. Can you turn on someone else’s command and can you do it quickly and safely?
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Ski Brule March 6 & 7, 2010.

The sun was bright, the weather warm, and the snow melting. However, the children were focused (for the most part) on ski racing.

The skiing was fun to watch. On Saturday, the children successfully and slowly skied slalom, I expected faster times. I have skied at Ski Brule many times when the USSA races were on and am accustomed to a lot of zooming youngsters on all the ski runs. They fearlessly tuck and schuss, lay down incredible carves, and really work their skis; so I expected faster times.

To be fair, the weather made for slow snow and looking good free-skiing is easier than skiing fast and turning on another’s whim! Also, their courses were longer than the NASTAR course I am used to running, and most the extra length is on relatively flat terrain. They were also skiing a slalom course with more and tighter turning.

It was interesting watching the youngsters and no matter where I was watching, I could pick out the better skiers. No matter whether it was at the starting house, in the middle of the course, or at the finish line (however, by the finish line time it was obvious). Some of this is obviously related to the skier’s age, the older children are obviously more powerful and more experienced, still within age groups it was obvious.
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A racer carves a turn around a slalom gate.

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Even after skiing all day long and skiing hard the children were still full of energy. Climbing up on the ramp and looking for others to play with.

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Ski Brule hosted the United States Ski and Snowboard Association’s (Central Division Region II) Finale for J4/J5/J6 class skiers. I went there to ski and to photograph the youngsters skiing.

I enjoyed watching the skiing and I believe I obtained a number of good images I can use at this site. In addition, I learned a few things about capturing skiing on pixels, and I will share those.
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When many people think of skiing the first resorts that come to mind are usually Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, etc. However, recently we have all become aware of Buck Hill where Olympic downhill gold medalist Lindsey Vonn learned to ski.

In addition, Ski Brule near Iron River Michigan sent a snowboarder to the Olympics.

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Much is being made of a rivalry between Julia Mancuso and Lyndsey Vonn.

I am connected to the women via Facebook and Twitter (for whatever that is worth). So I base this post on what I am seeing of their public thoughts and from what I know of skiing and competitors.

I have addressed what it is like to have to rerun a race. It is not something you like to do it costs you race-juice to run, race juice that takes rest and calories to replenish.
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Today in women’s giant slalom Lyndsey Vonn wiped it out and Julia Mancuso was on course and above Lindsey. Well, you may have seen it, Lyndsey wiped out and ran into the fence and Julia Mancuso was yellow flagged and had to stop her race and start over.

Reruns stink!
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