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Hope for Aspiring Pro's Who are Tall

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Samckoy
Posts: 381 - Karma: 66
Most professional skiers and especially park skiers seem to be an around the average male height or only a little above or below the average height. This leads us to believe they are better suited for the sport and maybe they are, but this doesn't mean that tall skiers can't make it big.

http://www.theskichannel.com/news/skinews/20091204/Tall-pro-skiers-give-hope-to-fellow-giants-of-the-slopes

This is especially good news to me considering I'm 6'4'' and often find I'm overly tall for skiing. My hopes are back up.
Oct 31 2010 12:16AM
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canterbury
Posts: 2382 - Karma: 55
http://www.theskichannel.com/news/skinews/20091204/Tall-pro-skiers-give-hope-to-fellow-giants-of-the-slopes
Oct 31 2010 12:17AM
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john.stossel
Posts: 943 - Karma: 5
nick martini is fucking huge wow
Oct 31 2010 8:37AM
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Blurst
Posts: 13577 - Karma: 10,168
ya spriggs is giant.
Oct 31 2010 11:27AM
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Dr.DRE
Posts: 246 - Karma: 270
liam downey is giant
Oct 31 2010 11:29AM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
there are enough tall pros now. few years ago everyone was tiny.
Oct 31 2010 11:38AM
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JosephStalin
Posts: 1673 - Karma: 100
I don't see how being tall inhibits you abilities.
Oct 31 2010 11:50AM
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skiierman
Posts: 28699 - Karma: -5,563
except almost all the tall pros today were around a few years ago.... so... no, you're wrong.
Oct 31 2010 12:02PM
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luc
Posts: 1000 - Karma: 607
physics....M=F*r
Oct 31 2010 12:10PM
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reBlocke
Posts: 762 - Karma: 1,502
Probably because most people are around the average height.

There are so many factors that are more important than height in skiing. I don't think its biased one way or another.

If there is a bias toward smaller pros, it's probably because big guys are more likely to spend their high school time playing basketball or football (sports where they do have a big advantage) as apposed to skiing.
Oct 31 2010 12:20PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
It helps when charging, but in freestyle I think it's a bit harder.
I'm 6"5 myself, so...But seriously...we're still talking a total of 70-80 inches here. Being a WHOPPING 5 INCHES taller isn't going to make or break whether you can be pro or not...seriously... In the beginning (when I started my 'freestyle-career') I also thought it was harder or something, but seriously, it's just a mindset.

Is there a cult for tall people (6"3 and up?) yet...
In the Netherlands you're considered very short as a guy if you're under 6" anyway...haha!
Oct 31 2010 12:24PM
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rach
Posts: 917 - Karma: 507
there are definitely a lot of little guys in skiing,
I wouldn't say they're "better suited" for the sport,
but they have a lower center of gravity, and are generally lighter.
Then again, there are a lot of tall skiers who are great at what they do.

When it comes down to it, people will always tell you why you can't do what you wanna do, so just figure out a way to do it anyways.
Oct 31 2010 12:28PM
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JibbaTheHutt
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 1,597
according to physics being small should help your ability to spin but it does not mean you cannot compete being tall...this is very unlike diving or many other gymnastic events where once you get past about 5'11 you struggle to compete...
Oct 31 2010 12:34PM
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SteevJee
Posts: 1916 - Karma: 144
Check out the Freeskier buyers guide from this year. Most the guys who participated in the park test were 6'0+.
Oct 31 2010 12:52PM
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Cow_Jibber
Posts: 382 - Karma: 103
Bobby Brown spins like a mad man... and he's a giant
Oct 31 2010 12:55PM
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RAWLAN
Posts: 1209 - Karma: 50
just more mass to throw around.
Oct 31 2010 12:56PM
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9210 - Karma: 5,357
haha is that bobby browns new title; "teen heartthrob"
Oct 31 2010 12:56PM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
hahahaha you're just a fag
Oct 31 2010 1:02PM
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skiierman
Posts: 28699 - Karma: -5,563
and you're a fucking idiot that just got called out for spewing a bunch of bullshit trying to sound like you know something about the history of park skiing.
Oct 31 2010 1:17PM
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Milksteak
Posts: 9948 - Karma: 842
Isn't Lame Downer like...6'3?
Oct 31 2010 1:25PM
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7-3instacall
Posts: 999 - Karma: 1,005
it fucks with your momentum. ;)
Oct 31 2010 2:12PM
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j.bird
Posts: 6680 - Karma: 15
exactly what I was thinking?
Oct 31 2010 2:28PM
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j.bird
Posts: 6680 - Karma: 15
....really? when you say some dumb shit and someone corrects you this is your response? wow, good one...
Oct 31 2010 2:31PM
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J..H
Posts: 646 - Karma: 73
pwned
Oct 31 2010 2:42PM
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Samckoy
Posts: 381 - Karma: 66
Thanks. Forgot to make it a clickable link.

And yes, the reason most skiers are shorter might be due to average height and the fact that taller people would rather play sports where height is an advantage.
But like a lot of people mentioned, physics factor in a lot.


(+)Taller people are generally heavier and have greater momentum and speed.
(-)Greater momentum and weight means that big drops are going to be harder on the legs because you're less likely to bounce out of it (i.e. Sean Petit).
(-)Taller people have longer limbs so when your in that sit down skiing position your body mass is further away from the point of pivot (knees) and this requires more force.

So there are some disadvantages to being tall. What I was pointing out with this thread is that they can be overcome when you're skiing at a professional and there are some pro skiers listed as an example of that
Oct 31 2010 4:01PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
It really doesn't matter. Ofcourse Sammy is a midget and Bobby might be a giant, but still, it's not more than 15-20% of the whole body length...

It's all about courage, athlticism (irrespective of length) and attitude/ambition.
Nov 1 2010 8:02AM
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pghjibber
Posts: 1298 - Karma: 329
ha can't believe this article made it on ns...

funny shit, wrote that like a year ago almost
Nov 1 2010 1:18PM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
if dumont hits a 20ft jump it looks like chads gap
if spriggs hits a 20ft jump it looks like a kicker in for a rail....


now there's the problem !

parkshapers should start shaping bigger feature for bigger skiers!
Nov 1 2010 1:22PM
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casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,746
Anyone claiming that they've plateaued or maxed out their skiing potential due to their height is making excuses and is more likely a pussy, lazy, or just not all that athletically gifted...apart from their height entirely.

Anyone claiming that being small and compact is not something of a natural advantage in efforts to get really good at spinny flippys of any kind—with or without skis attached to your feet—is just wrong and is ignoring both the existence of physics and asians.

Think about buildings....or fucking Jenga. The taller you are, any/all instances of being out of position (say front or backseat for example) are going to be exaggerated relative to a smaller person (center of gravity). Is there a significant enough difference between a guy who's 5'9" and a guy who's 6'2" for that to be a contributing factor to any disparity in their respective abilities? I sincerely doubt it. Now, if one guy is 5'6" and the other is 6'5"....probably. The true test is that if you were set on becoming a pro flippyspin skier....which frame would you rather start with?

All that aside, I can think of a dozen or so notable pros who are not just tall, but rather exceptionally-ish tall. Liam, Spriggs, Martini, Hatveit, Delorme, Collins, and Dumont all come to mind immediately.
Nov 1 2010 1:33PM
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pghjibber
Posts: 1298 - Karma: 329
henshaw is pretty damn tall too
Nov 1 2010 1:48PM
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bfnradford
Posts: 921 - Karma: 100
Dumont? Tall? Jokes?
Nov 1 2010 1:50PM
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Sheets-mmm
Posts: 392 - Karma: 42
i laugh everytime i see the section in RealTime when he hugs henrik hahahaha
Nov 1 2010 1:55PM
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casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,746
nah man, he's actually way taller than he looks on tv. It's an angle/optical illusion thing.
Nov 1 2010 1:56PM
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g.off
Posts: 724 - Karma: 841
gives me much more hope !
Nov 1 2010 2:25PM
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soup
Posts: 6320 - Karma: 4,261
what a great article. I am 6'6" and am lanky as fuck just like the guy in that article. I grew really fast too so for a couple of years there I was just not comfortable in my body and felt so awkward in the air. Its getting better but its still a hinderence I feel.

The other shitty thing is finding gear that fits right. Fuck I hate when my belt would be riding just below my jacket it looked so bad. Thank god for SAGA!!!!!
Nov 1 2010 2:39PM
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Keenan_Jones
Posts: 436 - Karma: 175
Height ain't nothing but a number baby.
Nov 1 2010 2:51PM
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McLeod
Posts: 1762 - Karma: 1,582
pghjibber's a douchhhheee. fuck the ski channel
Nov 1 2010 3:32PM
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dobski
Posts: 44 - Karma: 18
Yeah buddy, loved reading that! Im 6ft 7, there is some hope!
Nov 1 2010 3:42PM
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pghjibber
Posts: 1298 - Karma: 329
do you have google alerts set up for 'pghjibber'?

i swear you only come on here to hate, it's pretty funny

and i also agree, the ski channel is pretty wack bc its run by a tennis player - hence why i quit, for a much better gig in the ski industry

however i still think the article is funny, and im glad i could give fellow lanky giants a laugh, god forbid
Nov 1 2010 3:51PM
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Baskin.
Posts: 1387 - Karma: 13
I don't think height is a big factor...It is how strong your core is....your core guides your flips,spins,etc. why do you think gymnasts do core training?

unfortunately, tall people are usually very lanky and not bulky and strong...when I look at spriggs he looks very tall and skinny but guys like martini are big overalll
Nov 1 2010 4:08PM
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Beez
Posts: 1496 - Karma: 39
very good explanation
Nov 1 2010 4:15PM
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MatsoFatso
Posts: 71 - Karma: 18
I am 6'4'' and I manage just fine.... No doubt being shorter helps tho!
Nov 1 2010 4:18PM
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McLeod
Posts: 1762 - Karma: 1,582
why yes actually i do.

its actually more out fun now than anything. whats your new gig?
Nov 1 2010 4:25PM
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PC.
Posts: 1105 - Karma: 18
I'm 6'5. I only started skiing at 20 years old, because ALL my time beforehand was playing football seriously. Bigger guys don't go for snowboarding/skiing typically, but college sports that can scholarship them somewhere.

It makes sense.
Nov 1 2010 4:40PM
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k-fred
Posts: 5363 - Karma: 1,598

yeah but think about henrik with his swith 16...i dont think he would be able to do it if he was 6'3

im 5'5 and i know everything is easier to do than my friend 6'2...and its easier to find tall t and hoodies hehe

Nov 1 2010 5:08PM
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Holte
Posts: 10730 - Karma: 7,744
I think people are just so used to knowing that it helps basketball or football players to be tall, so it must help skiers to be short since Simon Dumont is short and he's a really good skier. Not that there aren't minimal advantages to being smaller in a sport that involves a lot of hard impact landings and hucked rotations, but the "short advantage" is GREATLY eclipsed by athletic ability, hard work, and ballsiness.
Nov 1 2010 6:04PM
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Daydreaming
Posts: 1686 - Karma: 48
Sorry man I have to disagree, I've seen Dumont in person. He is short (well average ish but definitely not 6' or beyond)
Nov 1 2010 6:35PM
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casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,746
.....
Nov 1 2010 9:48PM
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LIL_WAT
Posts: 1900 - Karma: 475
This. He must be about 6'1or 2 at least
Nov 1 2010 10:23PM
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gnarles.
Posts: 2587 - Karma: 130
henrik lol no he is a midget
Nov 1 2010 10:30PM
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j.bird
Posts: 6680 - Karma: 15
my thoughts exactly.
Nov 2 2010 1:23AM
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