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Speed Guns

Speed Guns

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Started by Fantasticlee in Austria - 10 Replies

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Dave Mac
reply to 'Speed Guns'
posted Jul-2009

fantasticlee wrote:Thanks for the info guys.

Hopefully I'll find something at Saalbach.
I was hoping to go a lot faster next time I do it as I won't turn at all.
Now I know Dave's sons have almost hit 100 it shows me that it is possible although I'm sure I won't be as fearless as them!

Was it marked with a color Dave for the difficulty?
They had 3 at Obertauern, 2 blue and 1 red.

I'll have to look to see where Niederau is in relation to Saalbach to see if I can get there in a day :)


Niederau is not within dayski commute from Saalbach.

There is no colour coding for the Niederau speed run. You can make a judgement for yourself, from the speeds attained, if it is suitable for an individuals capabilities. Sixty mph is not for the faint-hearted, nor for the less capable. I have a friend in the Niederau graveyard, that died hitting a tree stump at 10mph. You also need to recognise that both international racer teams, and league race clubs use the run to train on.

On the other hand, it is not a record-producing slope. My son has interviewed Nigel Brockten, the British speed record holder. He has achieved 235kph, 146mph. That puts our puny efforts into perspective.

Dave Mac
reply to 'Speed Guns'
posted Jul-2009

There are a number of factors that influence downhill straightline speed.

Your weight.
Your ski length/width/base quality/shape
Your tuck position and streamlining.
Strength of push-off.

I had a go on my longest skis, these are 2m K2s. However, they are carvers, and recognising a risk, I was a little concerned about this, so I asked Jan Stenmark, (He is a long established J2skier, based in Niederau). He is also an experienced racer. He had also recognised this as an issue, and concluded that the technique should be to phase alternate minimal directional toe pressure on both skis, ie, pressure left, then right, etc. This ensures that there is a minimal chance for the ski edge to adversely bite, and throw you off course.

My youngest hired from Skiset, and whupped my ass.

Maybe he is heavier than me?

Fantasticlee
reply to 'Speed Guns'
posted Jul-2009

Maybe I can "Borrow" one from a Police car and then set up my own speed gun area!!
:wink:

Topic last updated on 31-July-2009 at 18:22