Interski report
	Interski 2007 Report – Richard Jameson Countries – France, Switzerland France Overall Impression The French interski team impressed me with their skiing in all of their demonstrations.  Not a perfect technique, however, the image was strong and of that which achieved a purpose.  The dynamics from the ski were impressive and the speed being carried down the hill was fast.  The demonstrators from France were very strong and noticeably athletic.  It could be said that they got away with some technical flaws (differences from what we in Australia consider good skiing technique), due to this. Indoor Lecture No indoor lecture given On snow clinic One of the better clinics attended at interski (after the Canadian race coach clinic by Peire Ruel).  The training style was laid back but professional at the same time (similar to the Aussie style).  They even managed to poke fun at Steve Brown and he took it in good humour!!! The clinic was on how to develop advanced – expert skiers.  The philosophy of goal centred outcomes was highlighted.  The picture and body position of the skier was not necessarily important as long as the desired outcome or goal was achieved.  A quote from our clinician “It does not matter how you swing the golf club as long as you get the ball in the hole”. After deciphering the clinic with Tim Robo on the plane ride back to California – we determined there was definitely merit in bringing back some sort of inclination/banking at the initiation of a fast turn.  Speed and strength being the key, the Frenchies focussed on this a lot.   When we tried it moving the centre of mass into the turn a long way early was a good feeling (as long as you did not lose pressure to your outside ski).  Keeping your body stacked on top of itself skeletally and extending your whole body for ‘strength in length’ not just you’re outside leg.  Then from the fall line to end of the turn we worked into an angulated position to increase the edge angle to work the ski, keeping your centre of mass still and a long way inside.  Not necessarily a new technique but definitely something which has merit at the very high end of skiing and ski racing on the groomed. The learning process at this high end of skiing seemed to be taught through a guided discovery approach.  The teacher can change the environment or turn shape to give the skier a new task or new feeling to try and change the skiing outcome.  The French set a serries of brushes in the snow giving us different turn sizes to turn around.  Always changing the turn size to make us feel and achieve different outcomes.  It was implied that the turns should be pure carved or as close to pure carved as possible. Switzerland Overall Impression The Swiss team also skied well and quite similar to our Australian style.  The indoor lectures were well presented especially a freeride clinic given on new school skiing. Indoor Lecture One - Freeride An awesome presentation and delivery by one of the French speaking Swiss freeride demonstrators.  Notably the lecture gave definitions to all of the tricks in big air and half pipe which seemed to have different names depending on where you go and who you talk too.  It also showed detailed pictures of terrain features and park building, giving definitions and names to all of the features.  They then moved onto how to ski the half pipe showing common errors and techniques for progressing students. The powerpoint presentation would be great to get a hold of if possible. Two – Performance fun for all The concept is there are four snowsport disciplines and only one philosophy.  They are still in a phase of whether this can be “Utopia or Reality”.  The goals are that if they group together the commercializing and education of snowsports will be benefited in today’s economic climate. All the disciplines should share these common traits: Have a proactive attitude Know how to use the snow Able to use the function of the equipment Know how to use the right movements The education system for all disciplines was: Pedagogy Methodology Technique They are finding this philosophy good in that each discipline can learn from the others mistakes.  However, it can be restrictive by the different language, people, interests and views from each discipline.  Therfore they are working on creating the same vocabulary for better development. The retention of guest’s was highlighted in this model, they called it Activity Zapping.  It was shown that 24% of guests quit because they did not like the coaching or training, but the snowsports environment was enough to stop people from leaving.  This is where they try and get them to join different disciplines in that environment. To read more reports click here.