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Anyone used to race?

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.FRY.
Posts: 5620 - Karma: 22,861
I race but also ski park. anyone here still race or used to race?
there's probably already a thread like this but I don't care
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Jun 12 2014 7:11PM
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whackhouse
Posts: 736 - Karma: 939
I raced until this past season and im really glad I did, it gave e a really good basis on how to ski properly and well cus now i can carve off lips really good and have better balance than my friends that don't race and evidently make fun of me for it
Jun 16 2014 7:15AM
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robotdna
Posts: 1232 - Karma: 2,959
Brule.I usually end up being stoked at a decent time compared to others that end up with a much slower time than I ended up with during high school races. After the race I'd always talk to my dad, who basically gave me advice about my own personal skiing and my racing technique. Then he'd tell me what was wrong with the run and what I needed to work on, then I'd go into the next practice, work on what I need to really work on the most and hopefully have it down for the next race.

Out of the people I've seen mad after their run during high school racing, they'd end up throwing equipment on the ground and get pissed when they don't make it into the top 5 or 10. It is definitely a lost trait in sports. I've never got pissed at the point where I'd throw equipment though.

A lot of parents have high expectations for something like high school racing to the point where they expect their son/daughter to get in the top 5 or ten so they can go to states and move forward into regional championships (east/west/wherever). My parents hoped that I would finish without getting disqualified or crashing mid-run.


I've thrown equipment....once.

It was a really tough day. I was really pushing myself and couldn't manage to finish this godawful combi. Lot's of falling. I was frustrated because I knew I could do better, and all I wanted to do was push myself *and* be able to finish.

Regardless, it was eye-opening for me and I have managed better since.
Jun 16 2014 11:02AM
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robotdna
Posts: 1232 - Karma: 2,959
Stacks_I raced until this past season and im really glad I did, it gave e a really good basis on how to ski properly and well cus now i can carve off lips really good and have better balance than my friends that don't race and evidently make fun of me for it


You shouldn't care what they say. You're a stronger skier now because of it and they might never understand it.

Besides just basic carving ability, racing also gave me confidence on steeper runs that I normally would ski differently. It has a lot of areas that may surprise you how it helps.



Sorry for dub post.
Jun 16 2014 11:04AM
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MartianMan
Posts: 1101 - Karma: 2,099
robotdnaI've thrown equipment....once.

It was a really tough day. I was really pushing myself and couldn't manage to finish this godawful combi. Lot's of falling. I was frustrated because I knew I could do better, and all I wanted to do was push myself *and* be able to finish.

Regardless, it was eye-opening for me and I have managed better since.


I threw my equipment this season after i 2x DSQ'ed. I was pissed haha. Racing is mostly a mental game, but too much aggression leads to fuck ups, especially in slalom when the snow conditions blow goat penis.
Jun 16 2014 11:07PM
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.FRY.
Posts: 5620 - Karma: 22,861
MartianManI threw my equipment this season after i 2x DSQ'ed. I was pissed haha. Racing is mostly a mental game, but too much aggression leads to fuck ups, especially in slalom when the snow conditions blow goat penis.



racing is about 95% mental. If you think you're gonna fuck up, you will. If you stay positive you can usually put down a pretty solid run.
Jun 16 2014 11:12PM
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S_Jenk
Posts: 345 - Karma: 92
Though I was never a racer, most if not all of my college ski buddies have come from racing backgrounds.

Notably these people are the ones who quit racing to come ski in Bozeman, but if nothing else it has produced some great talent amongst them, and I always love shredding with them. They have hella stories from their racing days, are motivated to find a shred gnarly lines, and can be generally good-natured.

That being said, they are ones who grew up enough to realize that if they aren't going to make a career out of it, it's better to leave it behind. It has a time and a place in one's life, but at some point you'll find yourself held back from what skiing truly has to offer. I can't tell you how many times they've told me of the missed powder days and trips from all the training and commitment. For truely serious athletes, it's a worthy sacrifice. For those half-hearted in it, it can really hold you back.

The poll is a very narrow-minded way of approaching this issue. True, there racers who qualify as "gay", or "super gay". But it misses the point of asking about those who don't race anymore. Sure, many "don't care" anymore because they aren't in it, but what is to say of the ski cultures in Europe who still cherish the sport as an integral part of the community.

Ski racing has a time and a place in one's life. I'd be a hippocratic ass if I said I wasn't thankful for the former ski racers that have been with me on some of the greatest powder days of my life. So here's to ski racers, both who found their passion in gates or in the pow.
Jun 17 2014 12:16AM
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henryeckert_
Posts: 65 - Karma: 287
I grew up racing until I was around 11 or 12 then got into backcountry powder stuff and Im with the same people I raced with because its super easy to tell what friends of mine are in control skiing big lines and going fast. I know its why I "look good" skiing, because racing helped me get really good form from a young age. I liked racing while I did it but I moved to the backcountry, 1 powder is the shit and 2 around the age I was at the want you to start to get super competitive doing gates all day and week days.
Jun 17 2014 2:29AM
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Brule.
Posts: 3921 - Karma: 6,206
TwoPlankinWizardI grew up racing until I was around 11 or 12 then got into backcountry powder stuff and Im with the same people I raced with because its super easy to tell what friends of mine are in control skiing big lines and going fast. I know its why I "look good" skiing, because racing helped me get really good form from a young age. I liked racing while I did it but I moved to the backcountry, 1 powder is the shit and 2 around the age I was at the want you to start to get super competitive doing gates all day and week days.


Yeah. Even though I ski "east coast powder" in northern NY, I end up trying to find some untouched powder after a snowstorm. Thanks to racing I've been able to still carve through powder without scraping the entire trail.

The worst experience I've had skiing powder was at Whiteface, NY back in late March. No visibility, wet snow, it was the biggest challenge I've had skiing powder ever within the thirteen years I've been skiing.
Jun 17 2014 12:54PM
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milk_man
Posts: 5252 - Karma: 5,980
.FRY. I can tell that you race by the way you post. /claim
Jun 17 2014 1:01PM
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.FRY.
Posts: 5620 - Karma: 22,861
milk_man.FRY. I can tell that you race by the way you post. /claim



wut
Jun 17 2014 4:36PM
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robotdna
Posts: 1232 - Karma: 2,959
milk_man.FRY. I can tell that you race by the way you post. /claim


He DID state in OP that he used to race.....congratulations, you can read.
Jun 17 2014 4:45PM
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.FRY.
Posts: 5620 - Karma: 22,861
I do feel like racing is losing its popularity to park. Not that I have anything against park, I just think it would be nice to keep them two separate sports instead of people comparing them. If that made any sense...
Jun 17 2014 5:03PM
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robotdna
Posts: 1232 - Karma: 2,959
.FRY.I do feel like racing is losing its popularity to park. Not that I have anything against park, I just think it would be nice to keep them two separate sports instead of people comparing them. If that made any sense...


Racing is not seen as "cool." Park originated out of snowboard counterculture, and that group has set in motion what snowsports are "cool."

I do agree though, they are completely different and should be treated as such. Not hated on, just everyone enjoying life and killing it.
Jun 17 2014 11:28PM
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.FRY.
Posts: 5620 - Karma: 22,861
robotdnaRacing is not seen as "cool." Park originated out of snowboard counterculture, and that group has set in motion what snowsports are "cool."

I do agree though, they are completely different and should be treated as such. Not hated on, just everyone enjoying life and killing it.



I'm kind of worried though that the olympics completely killed racing. idk I guess next year we'll find out
Jun 18 2014 8:28PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7488 - Karma: 11,550
.FRY.I'm kind of worried though that the olympics completely killed racing. idk I guess next year we'll find out


Olympics killed racing? Wut?

Go to Europe. Then try again.
Jun 18 2014 8:41PM
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Surfboard
Posts: 528 - Karma: 397
I race and still ski park... At my mountain there are a few teams that are extremely arrogant and cocky, but my team is really chill and pretty much the whole Varsity Boys team skis park as well... I feel like it is the best base a skier can get! I feel like as a racer I will always have the upper edge (pun intended) over a skier that goes strait from bunny to park. Also you meet so many great people through it, plus it's also a plus when your coach is a strait ski bum... Shoutout to Sean King lol, always good to hear some jank stories about living in shacks at alta in the 90's from a coach!
Jun 18 2014 9:44PM
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.FRY.
Posts: 5620 - Karma: 22,861
HENRYHIBBELNI race and still ski park... At my mountain there are a few teams that are extremely arrogant and cocky, but my team is really chill and pretty much the whole Varsity Boys team skis park as well... I feel like it is the best base a skier can get! I feel like as a racer I will always have the upper edge (pun intended) over a skier that goes strait from bunny to park. Also you meet so many great people through it, plus it's also a plus when your coach is a strait ski bum... Shoutout to Sean King lol, always good to hear some jank stories about living in shacks at alta in the 90's from a coach!



dude that's sick. glad to find another racer on here. And yeah racers who transfer to park have a huge advantage over the kids who jump straight into park.
Jun 18 2014 9:47PM
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Brule.
Posts: 3921 - Karma: 6,206
HENRYHIBBELNI race and still ski park... At my mountain there are a few teams that are extremely arrogant and cocky, but my team is really chill and pretty much the whole Varsity Boys team skis park as well... I feel like it is the best base a skier can get! I feel like as a racer I will always have the upper edge (pun intended) over a skier that goes strait from bunny to park. Also you meet so many great people through it, plus it's also a plus when your coach is a strait ski bum... Shoutout to Sean King lol, always good to hear some jank stories about living in shacks at alta in the 90's from a coach!


That sounds awesome! A few people on my school ski team ski park really well, and there's also one who will send it into the "backcountry" that is the Adirondack mountains (if they're ski-able after skinning or hiking uphill). Another teammate spent his spring break by skinning up and skiing down Tuckerman's Ravine back in mid-April, then he came back to school after break with an obvious goggle tan.
Jun 18 2014 10:12PM
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robotdna
Posts: 1232 - Karma: 2,959
HENRYHIBBELNI race and still ski park... At my mountain there are a few teams that are extremely arrogant and cocky, but my team is really chill and pretty much the whole Varsity Boys team skis park as well... I feel like it is the best base a skier can get! I feel like as a racer I will always have the upper edge (pun intended) over a skier that goes strait from bunny to park. Also you meet so many great people through it, plus it's also a plus when your coach is a strait ski bum... Shoutout to Sean King lol, always good to hear some jank stories about living in shacks at alta in the 90's from a coach!


That's cool. One of my race coaches is Shannon Schad! (Older pro skier) It's just so cool the people you can meet while doing it.

Jun 18 2014 10:21PM
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B.Aussie
Posts: 5852 - Karma: 4,531
I raced world cup ski cross.
Jun 22 2014 7:38AM
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.FRY.
Posts: 5620 - Karma: 22,861
B.AussieI raced world cup ski cross.



really? for how long?
Jun 22 2014 12:13PM
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ccalahanne
Posts: 20 - Karma: 216
i race for school just so i can ski during the week but ya it held a lot
Jun 23 2014 10:36PM
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B.Aussie
Posts: 5852 - Karma: 4,531
.FRY.really? for how long?


I did my first WC when I was 17, half way through that season I blew my knee. Made my comeback the next year and broke my neck, pelvis, dislocated my legs and a few other things which I'm still recovering from. I also raced alpine and was a 44 point slalom skier but I moved to predominantly ski cross when I was 16.
Jun 23 2014 11:15PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
B.AussieI did my first WC when I was 17, half way through that season I blew my knee. Made my comeback the next year and broke my neck, pelvis, dislocated my legs and a few other things which I'm still recovering from. I also raced alpine and was a 44 point slalom skier but I moved to predominantly ski cross when I was 16.


I miss skicross. Matt and I were talking about it the other day. Good times!
Jun 23 2014 11:27PM
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-SnowSnoli-
Posts: 756 - Karma: 1,703
Funny how many racers went to skicross. Remember when i quit racing it was just as there was a huge skicross push and gb were just putting together a team. I just never could get into it. Was to much like racing.
Jun 24 2014 4:14AM
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.FRY.
Posts: 5620 - Karma: 22,861
-SnowSnoli-Funny how many racers went to skicross. Remember when i quit racing it was just as there was a huge skicross push and gb were just putting together a team. I just never could get into it. Was to much like racing.


I've always wanted to try skier cross. But there was never a program at my hill.
Jun 25 2014 3:02PM
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toastyteenagers
Posts: 1834 - Karma: 6,793
My dad grew up skiing on a tiny hill in Minnesota, he eventually qualified for the Olympic ski team, and he has been a member of the Minnesota ski team for the past 30 years.

believe it or not, racing formed freeskiing.

It's sad to see racing go, because many people don't care about 50 people racing down the hill with a .043 second difference of time.

Racing tech is really cool btw.

Strapless poles that fit into your gloves, basically it's kinda like bindings for your poles, you put it in and when you eat it they fall out.

Springs in poles are an amazing invention, even though they cost 300 dollars.
Jun 27 2014 1:38AM
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.FRY.
Posts: 5620 - Karma: 22,861
RailersailerMy dad grew up skiing on a tiny hill in Minnesota, he eventually qualified for the Olympic ski team, and he has been a member of the Minnesota ski team for the past 30 years.

believe it or not, racing formed freeskiing.

It's sad to see racing go, because many people don't care about 50 people racing down the hill with a .043 second difference of time.

Racing tech is really cool btw.

Strapless poles that fit into your gloves, basically it's kinda like bindings for your poles, you put it in and when you eat it they fall out.

Springs in poles are an amazing invention, even though they cost 300 dollars.


30 years? that's awesome
Jun 27 2014 1:41AM
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-SnowSnoli-
Posts: 756 - Karma: 1,703
RailersailerIt's sad to see racing go, because many people don't care about 50 people racing down the hill with a .043 second difference of time.


Not going anywhere brooo. not sure about the states, but in Europe it's very much alive as it can be part of school activity here in Switzerland.
Jun 27 2014 6:41AM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7488 - Karma: 11,550
RailersailerMy dad grew up skiing on a tiny hill in Minnesota, he eventually qualified for the Olympic ski team, and he has been a member of the Minnesota ski team for the past 30 years.

believe it or not, racing formed freeskiing.

It's sad to see racing go, because many people don't care about 50 people racing down the hill with a .043 second difference of time.

Racing tech is really cool btw.

Strapless poles that fit into your gloves, basically it's kinda like bindings for your poles, you put it in and when you eat it they fall out.

Springs in poles are an amazing invention, even though they cost 300 dollars.


Racing participants are actually rising in the US at younger ages so it is not going anywhere in the US at that age. As children get older naturally the participation rates at the USSA/FIS level decline, be it the costs, time commitment, or lack of skill. But it is not dying out. Many kids turn to HS where it is less competitive and built into a time schedule.
Jun 27 2014 9:25AM
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