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March, 2020

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Could a great freeskier easily make the switch to racing at an elite level?

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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 3340
I mean let's say you gave these guys a set of race skis and a few months to practice on a good sized downhill course, could they make the switch? Personally I think many could but what do you guys think?
Aug 13 2019 3:37PM
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bradwalters
Posts: 43
Jon Olsson is a damn good ski racer. Pretty sure there's a few edits around that have him skiing gates.
Aug 13 2019 3:44PM
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SuspiciousFish
Posts: 1041
I would say most likely yes. A lot of the mechanics are the same and DH and gate racing has a lot less variables than some big mountain lines.

Lol I used to ski the gates switch at the NASTAR course back at Schweitzer when they were closed.
Aug 13 2019 4:26PM
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.otto.
Posts: 3310
Super G- yes
there was that snowboarder girl who decided to race super G in the olympics and she won.

GS and slalom definitely not, these events are incredibly technique based and require years and years of training to be slightly competitive.
Aug 13 2019 9:22PM
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LivingDaLife
Posts: 314
Jon did make the switch as part of a bet, but he was a racer before he was a freeskier, so he already had the training. He might have qualified for the Olympics if he hadn't blown his knee out.

I think they could make the switch, but why would they? Racing isn't nearly as cool or fun as freeskiing. Way more racers and mogul skiers have switched to freeskiing than the other way around. I can't think of anyone besides Jon really.
Aug 13 2019 9:27PM
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-eREKTion-
Posts: 1275
I think the best freeskiers (and I mean the very top dudes) could make the switch and be competitive. It comes down to natural athleticism and an innate understanding and ability on snow. Guys Bobby Brown, Henrik, and Tom Wallisch all come to mind as really physically strong skiers with tons of awareness and control on skis. Those are the traits that I think could make them successful hitting gates. Could your "run of the mill" freestyle pro make it? No but I think the guys who's athleticism transcends the sport of skiing could give it a good go.
Aug 13 2019 10:48PM
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DirtYStylE
Posts: 3527
Depends on how much ass they eat
Aug 14 2019 1:16AM
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JoeF2661
Posts: 1567
I want to party with bode.
Aug 14 2019 1:38AM
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BiggieSnows
Posts: 15
Hell no. They are completely different sports and professional racers have trained pretty much for their whole lives. They could become good but nowhere near elite or even competitive level.
Aug 14 2019 7:32AM
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 3340
I was thinking more super g myself not slalom
.otto.Super G- yes
there was that snowboarder girl who decided to race super G in the olympics and she won.

GS and slalom definitely not, these events are incredibly technique based and require years and years of training to be slightly competitive.
Aug 14 2019 10:36AM
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oldmanski
Posts: 1255
I think with a enough training and determination, yes. To be #1? That is where the race begins.
Aug 14 2019 11:02AM
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SuspiciousFish
Posts: 1041
-eREKTion-I think the best freeskiers (and I mean the very top dudes) could make the switch and be competitive. It comes down to natural athleticism and an innate understanding and ability on snow. Guys Bobby Brown, Henrik, and Tom Wallisch all come to mind as really physically strong skiers with tons of awareness and control on skis. Those are the traits that I think could make them successful hitting gates. Could your "run of the mill" freestyle pro make it? No but I think the guys who's athleticism transcends the sport of skiing could give it a good go.


I think it depends on the discipline, are we talking about Freeride big mtn skiers or park skiers? I was thinking this was about the Freeride guys. What would be really interesting would be if a top Olympic gymnast got into Park skiing as those disciplines are actually very similar. I remember going to Cats in Boulder to hit the tramps and the skiers and gymnasts would look at each other funny like we are basically doing the same thing. If anyone in CO wants to check it out, they have a really dope setup btw with a bungee assisted tramp and one surrounded by pads.
Aug 14 2019 11:26AM
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-eREKTion-
Posts: 1275
SuspiciousFishI think it depends on the discipline, are we talking about Freeride big mtn skiers or park skiers? I was thinking this was about the Freeride guys. What would be really interesting would be if a top Olympic gymnast got into Park skiing as those disciplines are actually very similar. I remember going to Cats in Boulder to hit the tramps and the skiers and gymnasts would look at each other funny like we are basically doing the same thing. If anyone in CO wants to check it out, they have a really dope setup btw with a bungee assisted tramp and one surrounded by pads.


I'd bet the majority of freeriders have at least some racing background. Then you have racers like Nobis and Rahlves who became badass freeriders.
Aug 14 2019 12:19PM
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twea.ker
Posts: 710
It would be like trying the same trick for an entire season but that trick is just to slide 17 s rails lined up next to eachother. you could probably do well in a few races but thered have to be some luck involved. some things just always rely on chance.
Aug 17 2019 1:21PM
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finder
Posts: 1445
twea.kerIt would be like trying the same trick for an entire season but that trick is just to slide 17 s rails lined up next to eachother. you could probably do well in a few races but thered have to be some luck involved. some things just always rely on chance.

I mean starting order is typically based on ranking, so you would probably need consistency on your side to start getting podium finishes, especially for slalom or GS
Aug 17 2019 9:53PM
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Knewnews
Posts: 2089
downhill skiers are usually big and really strong, there is no way some 5'8" 140lb guy is going to be competitive in downhill.
Aug 18 2019 1:34AM
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twea.ker
Posts: 710
finderI mean starting order is typically based on ranking, so you would probably need consistency on your side to start getting podium finishes, especially for slalom or GS


yea thats a fact, a clean course is also super helpful for racing a good time
Aug 18 2019 3:12AM
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DolanReloaded
Posts: 1466
If you are coordinated enough to do tricks, you are coordinated enough to carve in a gs course.
Alot of ski racers
cant do dick in the park tho. Some can, but not the majority.
Aug 18 2019 4:58PM
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Dinnerrolls
Posts: 17
Theres a lot of development involved in racing. The fact is, that most people need to quit after they reach high school because the demand for strength and technique are so high. I don't think any freerider could become a world cup skier because they would be so far behind, and the training is so rigorous and not at all laid back like the FWT. However I do think that most racers on the world cup could be really competitive on the FWT.

Most guys started from racing and quit anyway: e.g. Bobby Brown, Jossi Wells, The Collinsons, and just about everyone on the FWT
Aug 18 2019 7:35PM
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LukeTheWaffle
Posts: 1610
-eREKTion-I think the best freeskiers (and I mean the very top dudes) could make the switch and be competitive. It comes down to natural athleticism and an innate understanding and ability on snow. Guys Bobby Brown, Henrik, and Tom Wallisch all come to mind as really physically strong skiers with tons of awareness and control on skis. Those are the traits that I think could make them successful hitting gates. Could your "run of the mill" freestyle pro make it? No but I think the guys who's athleticism transcends the sport of skiing could give it a good go.

Keep in mind Henrik was swedish champion in slalom for his age
Aug 19 2019 10:53AM
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LukeTheWaffle
Posts: 1610
Unless they have previous experience I doubt many could compete at the top level, the technique you need is insane and you need top notch skills, yeah park skiers have stomp legs but I don't think they could compete top level
Aug 19 2019 10:54AM
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