Ski Racing Group»2017-18 Ski Season Group»Western Region U16 Championships»Outtakes (New)

These are sort of the leftovers from the U16s.


But why ever show bobbles, wild moves, and even crashes? I include such photos partly to show historically what happened on race day and also to illustrate how difficult this sport is, even for highly trained athletes with great skills, balance, and survival instincts. Many casual observers, and even racer parents, don't realize how challenging alpine racing can be ("Hey, what's so difficult? Gravity is doing all the work.") and what dynamic forces tug at racers and try to redirect them toward fixed objects. This sampling of photos are meant not to embarrass the racers shown, but to show sympathetically what didn't go according to plan or desire.


As for the mid-air drill image (and enlargement), balancing net on one shoulder while flipping a drill clearly requires skill. It suggests there should be some sort of competitive event for coaches, something that would test both essential functions (toting net) and discretionary skills (flipping drills).