So you want to be Ski Racer, Eh? Ski Racing is probably one of the most technically demanding and physically challenging sports there is. It takes years of practice, dedication, and a few bucket fulls of money to get even halfway decent. The reasons to race are as varied as the people who do it. I started racing to get over the boredom of going up and down. I still go up and down, only now I do it faster.

These tips are designed to help the beginning Ski Racer get started.

There are four basic elements that you can focus on developing. These probably apply to just about any sport, but they seem to work well for us:

• Physical Fitness. Skiing is a sport; therefore we are athletes.
• Knowledge. You should have a clue about the rules, etiquette and theories.
• Train. Just do it! Nobody ever got better thinking about it, you gotta put the mileage on the boards.
• Gear. If you want to go to war, bring the best weapons you can afford.

Physical Fitness

Couch Potatoes Arise! It's time to get fit. If you go to Amazon.com and type in fitness, you will get about 6,000 hits. I don't want to go into all the doo dah about how to shape up those flabby abs. There are plenty of infomercials on that. If you want to race, you need to be fit, it's that simple. In a nutshell, you need to Stretch, Strengthen, and Lift. Go on the famous Eat Less, Exercise More diet. Strengthen your legs, butt, gut, workout on the cardio machine like a horse. Ride your bike. Do sit ups until you feel like puking. Run a mile. Run ten. Run downhill. Run Uphill. Run.

The main objective here is to get your lazy fat ass off the sofa, your hand outta the chip bowl and get out there and shape up! Twenty minutes a day is all it takes.

And don't forget to stretch.

References:

• Fitskiing: Your Guide for Peak Skiing Fitness ISBN: 0974513806
• Ski Flex: Flexibility, Fitness, and Conditioning for Better Skiing ISBN: 1578260582
• The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Skiing ISBN: 1932549226

Knowledge

Knowledge is always the key to solving just about any problem. If you don't know, find out, right? Fortunately in ski racing, unlike just about every other sport, it is possible to just show up and play with out the slightest clue of what you are doing. Start. Ski down around the poles. Finish. Try that in hockey. If you don't know what an offside is, you'll spend the evening holding down the bench.

Learn how to inspect a course. Know the differences between a hair pin, a delay, and a flush. I know it's hard to believe at times, but gates aren't just placed randomly on the hill. The course setter carefully places the gates in strategic locations to test the racers mettle. Count the gates. Memorize the course. Run through the course in your mind while waiting for your start.

Take the time to learn about ski theory. How and why do skis carve. How and when are you supposed to pressure on, release your weight, transfer. How much edge do you apply?

Read and understand. Become a student of the sport, but remember, there is no substitute for doing it.

References:

• Ski Faster: Lisa Feinberg Densmore's Guide to High Performance Skiing and Racing ISBN: 0071343814
• The Skier's Edge ISBN: 0880119829
• The Athletic Skier ISBN: 1555661173
• Race Skills for Alpine Skiing ISBN: 0964739011

Training

Now that you are a hard body, you've read the lit, and have the gear, its time to get out and use it. I can't say this enough: The best way to get to be a better skier is to ski. And Ski And Ski some more! Nobody ever read themselves into being a better skier, or was talked into being a better skier. To be a better skier, there is only one path. SHUT UP AND SKI DAMMIT!

Get mileage onthe hill. Get mileage in the gates. Sign up for Masters training. There are a variety of training opportunities, take advantage of them. Hire a Coach.

Actively pursue feedback and correction. Ski fast and with purpose. Always be conscious of what you are doing and work on some fault or some ski improvement.
Go free skiing with of the hot shots and follow in his tracks all the way down. Match him turn for turn. He is giving you a PhD in technique without saying a word and with out even knowing it.

Ask one of the pros in the club to take a run with you, or watch your and give you a tip. Be sure to say thanks and buy him or her a pint in the bar afterwards.

Gear

A friend once told me, "tis not the boot, but the foot that goes in it." This is so true, people too get caught up in the gear and they forget often how important the skill set is. Nevertheless, this section is about gear, and if you want to race, you gotta have it. Buy your skis from our sponsors. They are experts in Ski Racing and can guide you in the right direction.