Racing JONG - need advice

**Schmear** · 01-31-2007, 12:32 AM

Mrs. Schmear and I have been talked into doing the Peak to Creek race at Whistler this weekend. I know how to ski fast, but I'm a racing JONG. Never done it. I need technique and fashion tips ASAP. Race is Saturday. Should I wear a tiara on my helmet?

**GordonShumway** · 01-31-2007, 12:49 AM

The first thing I'd do is get one of these...

What are you racing? GS, Super G, slalom?

**Mofro261** · 01-31-2007, 01:28 AM

My best advice:

Go really really fast. If something gets in the way, run it down.

Oh yeah, and hands forward! don't look at your ski tips, and get off your edges as quick as possible.

Fashion "tip": stick a banana down your speed suit. And remember: don't walk, strut.

Always strut.

**watanabee** · 01-31-2007, 03:02 AM

man, good luck at that. It's like a 15 minute race.

Squatch · 01-31-2007, 03:33 AM

talk to gosey. I hear he's a racing expert. if in doubt, buy lots of race skis.

**doublediamond223** · 01-31-2007, 03:37 AM

Originally Posted by watanabee

man, good luck at that. It's like a 15 minute race.

Yeah, technique is the least of your worries. I've heard it's something like 200 gates

. Stay high in your line when possible, it's FAR too late for anything more than that. Don't try to hit the gates at the expense of a good line. You'll be too distracted by the liquefying sensation in your quads to worry much about line though, IMO.

**ptavv** · 01-31-2007, 03:42 AM

Don't leave the course. Scrub speed if you have to. The penalty is not worth it, and by the end people will be missing gates all over the place.

If you're in good shape and ski well, you ought to be fine as long as you don't get too aggro at the top.

**Deep Days** · 01-31-2007, 05:07 AM

Originally Posted by Squatch

talk to gosey. I hear he's a racing expert. if in doubt, buy lots of race skis.

So sorry if freeskiing is fun.

Even more sorry I have to hurt myself just before I can actually train.

Weight on the outside foot. You can turn harder. That's all I got from my glorious 2 or 3 or whatever days of gate training.

**matanuskaski** · 01-31-2007, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by doublediamond223

Yeah, technique is the least of your worries. I've heard it's something like 200 gates

. Stay high in your line when possible, it's FAR too late for anything more than that. Don't try to hit the gates at the expense of a good line. You'll be too distracted by the liquefying sensation in your quads to worry much about line though, IMO.

Great advice.. high and early.. sounds like quite the intense race...
The average GS race has 35 gates and a vertical drop of 250 metres. The Peak to Valley race has a vertical drop of 1,443 metres, with 180 gates and a course that's over 5 km long.
Best of Luck.. at least its sponsored by a rum company.. u might need a lil afterwards

(edit) like the others have said look ahead.. I always say 3 gates min...

**homerjay** · 01-31-2007, 12:01 PM

lycra. lots and lots of lycra.

**300hp** · 01-31-2007, 12:17 PM

holee shit that is alot of gates.

best last minute advice: If you are looking at the gate directly in front of you, you're going to be in trouble. Your focus should be on how to make the gate two gates ahead of you. Otherwise you'll get late, get back, and blow out.

good luck. damn.

**iceman** · 01-31-2007, 12:22 PM

Miss a gate right at the top. Then ski down leisurely and drink rum.

**InspectorGadget** · 01-31-2007, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by 300hp

best last minute advice: If you are looking at the gate directly in front of you, you're going to be in trouble. Your focus should be on how to make the gate two gates ahead of you. Otherwise you'll get late, get back, and blow out.

good luck. damn.

Look ahead. Always look ahead . . . . I would have said three gates.

It sounds like a race of attrition. Don't be like Bode - better to ski at 8 or 9/10s and finish than go like hell and blow out half way.

**Dexter Rutecki** · 01-31-2007, 01:10 PM

In some ways the normal rules won't apply for this thing. I once thought about doing it, but I remember doing the qualification for the Saudan race and being really tired at the end of that, so I could easily see getting a stupid injury in an endurance race like the P to C.

I'd find a few good places on the course to sit down and rest. Seriously, if you can look ahead two gates and keep yourself forward/balanced for most of it, you'll be good. Tune your skis.
Damn, that must be tiring to do. Give us a TR.

**PNWbrit** · 01-31-2007, 01:20 PM

Carefully arranged yet not life threatening gear failure near top of course.

Or perhaps just do it switch?

**ptavv** · 01-31-2007, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by PNWbrit

Carefully arranged yet not life threatening gear failure near top of course.

Or perhaps just do it switch?

Mess with the forward pressure on your bindings (or ride Markers).

Not knowing when you'll pre-release will make the whole race much more exciting.

**road trip** · 01-31-2007, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by InspectorGadget

Look ahead. Always look ahead . . . . I would have said three gates.

After completing each turn / gate, look towards (and aim skis towards) where you want to TURN not where the gate is. You turn ABOVE/BEFORE the gate and not AT the gate.

**powder11** · 01-31-2007, 02:03 PM

be the tortoise on that one... just ski it and have a good time. good luck!

**Schmear** · 01-31-2007, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by powder11

be the tortoise on that one... just ski it and have a good time. good luck!

I think this and iceman's advice may be best. Actually I appreciate all the feedback, but it's definitley an endurance race and meant for fun, though I understand there are some pretty aggro teams involved. We're not one of them, in case you're wondering.