Hmmm.? Should wait for Lynn since she is a much better writer than me.
Did I improve at the camp?? Maybe a little bit!? Will I improve more through the winter as I practice and implement what they were teaching?? Yes.?
? I can't put my finger on exactly why, but the whole progression began to make more sense to me this year, rather than merely being drills aimed at a achieving today's focus.? Lynn (and Gary and Ron and Phil) had been telling me for a long time that I needed to be more flexed, more forward and in more of what Gary calls his "attack" position.? This is finally tangible for me; I know what to look for in videos (if Lynn will be so kind as to take pictures).? In fact, that was a big focus for me at camp last year in February. This year I think I finally got it.? Upper body should basically be parallel with the lower leg shaft, shins should be against the boot, angle of the knees should be greater than 90 degrees (if less than 90 degrees then I am squatting and instead of getting forward).?
Lots of emphasis and reinforcement that the implementation of getting my body forward is pulling my feet back.? Lots of reminders that actively driving my inside hand forward during the turn will help to keep me from letting my balance fall back.
Counter balance.? I am really stiff in the waist (especially on the side opposite my spinal disk surgeries).? Lots of cues to remember to focus on counter balance (and a couple of suggestions to stretch the muscles).? Hands forward, downhill shoulder lower than uphill shoulder (shoulders parallel with the snow in the last half of the turn).? Drag the skis on the snow, tips should be forward of the boots.
Primary movements.? The first day, first drill was traversing on little toe edge (to check balance) and then initiate turn by tipping.? I couldn't find my balance, couldn't do the drill.? I USED to be able to do it. A little bit of review Monday afternoon and it came back; here again fore-aft balance was getting in the way of the ability to freely tip.
PS.? Thank you Todd for the wonderful birthday gift you provided!!? ?
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