Interski report
	Attending and participating at Interski in Korea was a very rewarding experience.  Being there to observe and to interact with other like minded instructors from around the world was an experience that has strengthened my passion to teach.  Comparing what we do in Australia to what other nations are doing and by sharing our ways of teaching and skiing, provided a good test to what we are doing and to possible future developments. Along with telemark it was good to attend other snowsport workshops.  Outlined below are the nations that presented a workshop and who were available to share information for telemark. NORWAY The workshop presented by Norway worked on how the customer was feeling while skiing.  This discovery approach they adopted allows the customer to experiment with a big emphasis on feel. During the workshop participants were encouraged to ski different turn shapes and then asked what they thought after performing these. There is a noticeable quick lead change in their skiing and an emphasis of a build of pressure to the end of the turn and a release coinciding with the lead change. One of the demonstrators was using the new NTN binding from Rottefella along with a new boot from Scarpa that matched the binding. GERMANY The presentation from the two German representatives both on and off snow was very good.  Their background has been strongly influenced from ski racing. They focused on their new development within their model which was introduced since attending Interski at Crans Montana in Switzerland. This section is named Expert and is aimed at those who have developed their skills.  This also lies after the following steps in their model which is as follows. “Keep Your Telemark Simple” -less is more -functional orientation -teaching people teaching themselves Beginner -8 step program alpine curve techniques practicing step positioning securing step positioning and practice step shifting ending parallel curves in step position practicing step changing with angulation avoiding over curving use of inside leg on curves basic telemark techniques Advanced -controller system -the telemark skier as a dj on snow -the telemark skier adapts their technique to the skiing conditions, adjusting his body position and movement accordingly -the controller system; various ideas on adjustment possibilities for learners and instructors Expert -4 key criteria of telemarking -the teaching experience from previous years has resulted in four criteria which exist with expert telemark skiers and which influences the quality of telemarking. -the violation of a minimum of one criterion makes the attainment of the highest level of telemarking impossible. change of edge setting is forward orientated -focus on rear ski becoming the new early edged front ski in the lead change (step) -forward orientated to allow body to move down the hill as well as to drive this lead change into an early and strong edge weight and edge the inner ski -making certain the rear ski maintains weight and pressure to stop rear ski from loosing edge or control hold steady the telemark step (lead change) without changing the wide, functional change of telemark step -keeping the stance tight and under your body and not separating too far and loosing ability to apply weight and pressure to your feet and skis steady central neutral position of body -keeping upper body steady to maintain strong lower body movements -includes not too much up and down motion Their model and their skiing style were very good.  Although their teaching model is different to ours, the concepts within are close to what we practice. SWITZERLAND Along with Germany the Swiss presentation and workshop was the most interesting.  They skied very strongly and were good to watch. The two demonstrators were very strong skiers showing a very square upper body which followed the line of the skis and allowing the body to bank into the turn with no angulation or counter.  There is an emphasis to increase the pressure through the turn and then strongly release the pressure while changing lead. This is developed by moving the upper body from forward to backwards around the arc of the turn. The body is forward early in the arc to load the tip of the skis and then there is a movement backwards with the body to load the rear of the skis, allowing a strong build up of pressure towards the end of the turn and then a strong release of pressure in the lead change. They describe this as a two part phase in the arc of the turn.  There is a fore and aft rocking of the body to achieve this. In their high end and fast turns there was a degree of hip counter as well as angulation in the upper body unlike their slower carved turns that they perform with body following skis and banking. They mentioned in their introduction that to gain feel and enjoyment out of telemarking that you have to obtain a level in your technique to be comfortable.  This was due to previous workshops being very much involved in fun, enjoyment and feeling with no reference to technique. The workshop got people involved in a Tele Cross which is the same as a Skier Cross but on telemark skis. While off or on the course, skills are developed in the lead up to having a race. This was a fun way of approaching the lesson allowing more dynamic group interaction. For me their ski technique shown especially when they bank their turns, was the most interesting as it is very different to what we practise.  They teach with an initial focus of that 'where your head points is where your skis will point'.  So if doing a left hand turn your head will look left first which your skis will follow.  This creates your shoulders, hips and then legs to follow.  So from top down rather than feet up.  They also mentioned that in the telemark position this is the natural position for the body.  So when watching their skiing their shoulders and hips will tilt into the inside of the turn.  No doubt if you ski like this you will carve rounded turns.  However when conditions change or with different turn radius, this changes to a countered and angulated body with less following of the skis. SPAIN The highlight of the Spanish workshop was the technique they demonstrate to ski in difficult snow and powder.  This technique involves lifting the rear ski and placing it into the new turn and surfed into position, feeling the irregularities in the snow. This allows the skier to surf the back ski and gain maximum pressure on the rear ski. In their teaching they showed two approaches for the early stages.  J turns with a progression to linking and secondly the snow plough approach.  At this point most participants in the workshop discussed how they were not using the plough approach to teach telemark because of the incorrect shift in weight and changing of edges. AUSTRIA “Well Being for Body & Soul” This was more a warm and fuzzy workshop involving the joy of telemark rather than a workshop showcasing technique or teaching methods. Very disappointing as the alpine and snowboard workshops would have been of a higher calibre than what was shown by the Austrian demonstrator. NEW ZEALAND The NZSIA Telemark Teaching Concept is fairly similar to our approach, as Peter Mack helped develop the NZ system in the early stages as well as provide us with a  strong framework for our system. The emphasis in the higher end still remains with a large up un-weighting when it comes to difficult snow, steeps and bumps. They too do not approach Telemark through a snowplough or stem turn. The demonstrator mentioned that the backcountry is a big part of NZ telemark skiing as most telemark skiers will require backcountry guiding and experience in snow safety. This is because telemark skiers in general are advanced alpine skiers coming into the sport and require less instruction but want to move their skills into the back country. The following is some points on their Telemark Teaching Concept. Adaptable-focus is on common elements used at entry level. Common elements are adjusted for different snow conditions, terrain and turn shapes at advanced level. Movement described in 4 motions -vertical -fore aft -rotational -lateral Progression focussed Beginner -position/balance and stance -upper body movements/counter and rotation -lower body steering Intermediate/Advanced -continuous motion (upper body movement) inclination, angulation and pole plant -carved turns -check hop jump turns I have collected manuals, DVDs, video and images to share with those of you who are keen to know more about the above notes.  I am looking forward to this coming winter and to sharing my passion to ski. Coming from Interski and having seen and collected good visuals material supplied from other nations, I feel that this resource is invaluable.  Instructors can use this to help with training as well as to compliment the manual and finally to draw from in future developments.  This will be worked on this coming winter. Telemark can also hugely benefit from working closely with the other snowsport disciplines.  From Argentina and Denmark workshops I realised how fortunate we are to be able to experiment and keep testing our models.  Look closely at these reports (Argentina – pressure control & Denmark – steering). Unlike many other nations we are unique in the way we are integrated within one snowsport association. New trends and ideas flowing from all disciplines will only help keep us excited and on our toes! Interski was a fantastic opportunity to have been involved.  I have come away with a greater desire to share and to promote telemark. Ski you later! Graham. For more reports click here.