Steering and why its needed to truly call yourself an expert.

[bushwacka]

I hate to do this but I just read this thread as I have been away for the past few weeks in Montana and I didn't look at a ski forum the whole time I was away.

The only point I want to make is that if you look at video from the Alta Badia GS every year you will see the best skiers in the world stemming because the terrain is so steep and gnarly. One year I saw Benni Raich (one of the best technical skiers in the world) stem 3 turns in his run. So Bushwacka, do you think he finishes a run like that and the goes out and practices his stemming? Of course he doesn't because he does not want stemming to be his default move (in fact he doesn't wnat it in any of his skiing). The same goes for when we see WC racers skivoting or pivoting, they do this because they have to, because the course is set to tight with 27m skis for them to carve it, but every good GS skier is trying to carve as much of each turn and as many turns as he or she can, because it is faster. So the fact that pivoting and steering is required by you to ski a particular run, does not therefore mean that it is what one should aspire to have as the default move.
Again, I'm sure Jimmy Cochran doesn't come of that run saying "wow, I need to practice my steering more".

again not thrunting up Jim's thread.

I never said as default move for steering. For the type of skiing I am doing though I am steering every run. Every run I am skiing with is steering every run. If you never ever practice this move ---- --- ------ --- --- ------ --- -- ------- -------- --- ------ ----- you will not be able to ski where I ski.  Its laughable when I hear that my skiing is to hard so there for you guys wont ever steer because its too hard.

You also wrong on that the WC guys are trying to carve every turn. Even on the less challenging courses a straighter line with hard pivot and edge set can be faster. The stronger(like literally strenght) the straighter they can run.  Next time your gate training try running a line where you make your skis really light at the start of the turn with really hard edgeset pretty much right at the gate. for most people their times will actually drop just trying that out.

the dashed section reflects removed text.
the edit does not, in my opinion, change the intent of the statement

[Gary]

I too have seen up close at Portillo the likes of Lindsey and many others do whatever it takes to get from gate to gate in the most efficient and streamlined method possible. Yes, they over and undershoot, slide, miscalculate but that's when they incorporate a variety of skills to modify their turn and not by waiting for a parallel turn to occur.

Still, feet, hips and upper body working together, pointed where they're supposed to be when they're supposed to be there seems to still be the basis for their solid skiing skills.

G

[jbotti]

"You also wrong on that the WC guys are trying to carve every turn. Even on the less challenging courses a straighter line with hard pivot and edge set can be faster. The stronger(like literally strenght) the straighter they can run.  Next time your gate training try running a line where you make your skis really light at the start of the turn with really hard edgeset pretty much right at the gate. for most people their times will actually drop just trying that out."

As my dad used to say to me: Usually I'm right but this time you are wrong!!

Here is some commentary from real WC skiers on steering and pivoting:

Kaylin Richardson says:
 
a) How do you describe a stivot? Do you feel that the stivot is more of an unpressured float or a steered pressured feather move?

        I would define stivot as steering the skis at the top of the turn by sliding to get them in the right place to begin carving;

b) When should a stivot be used?

        This move should only be used in a last resort/ survival situation- ie: when you are late and have no time to pressure the edge properly or on an extremely steep pitch. A sliding ski is never faster than a carving ski.

c) What is the stivot usage percentage range that you have used in a GS course (0-30%, 0-50%, etc)?
d) What is the stivot usage percentage range that you have used in a SL course (0-30%, 0-50%, etc)?

        It depends on the course to be honest. Hopefully, I never use it unless it is part of my plan- for instance if there is a set with a turn that is impossible to carve and stay on line. But, as a survival move and mistake "fixer" I probably use it minimally. If it is a run that I am struggling in then I may, unfortunately be using it more often.

e) What free skiing & gate drills have you found helpful to learn the stivot tactic?

        I think the stivot shouldn't really be taught- sliding drills should suffice when it comes to learning this move. It is more something that just naturally happens when it is appropriate and needed. Sliding the top of the turn is not a fundamental part of fast skiing, it is a move that is in your bag of tricks to get you out of trouble- a very helpful trick, but not one you want to use often!

Steven Nyman says:
 
        To be frank. DONT STIVOT unless you have to. Being able to carve and go direct is way faster. We never practice the stivot and it isnt fast. Like Bode said is is a method to control speed. You carve to gain speed and you stivot to slow down. We never train it it is just something that happens. You learn it when you learning how to wedge as a beginner skier.
Learn to carve then learn to carve tighter.