Has been an icon in Sweden for everyone growing up in the 70's and 80's.
For some reason, he and Bjorn Borg were my icons in the 70s, too. I really don't know why ... I mean, it kind of makes sense now, but I was a (strange) 9yo American girl....
Has been an icon in Sweden for everyone growing up in the 70's and 80's.
One of our friends who picked up skiing quicker than most folks I know is @Stephen. He's a Ballroom dance instructor and is very intuitive about body movement.So, here's a reason why the USST is based in Utah.....the home base of all of those ballroom dance studios and DWTS stars.
Maybe we should be looking there for talented 6 year olds......
One of our friends who picked up skiing quicker than most folks I know is @Stephen. He's a Ballroom dance instructor and is very intuitive about body movement.
Who says old white guys can't jump?
I've always loved his skiing. One could build a powerful argument that he is the best ever. His major competitor was Phil Mahre, it was great to see them back in the day.
Whenever watching GS skiing of that era, I just wish that modern GS had the freedom of flow displayed by Stenmark and his peers. today's GS skiing is not a style to be emulated by recreational skiers.
Good find Trish.
For some reason, he and Bjorn Borg were my icons in the 70s, too. I really don't know why ... I mean, it kind of makes sense now, but I was a (strange) 9yo American girl....
I remember watching Phil Mahre in SL at The National Championships at Mammoth back when they where still using bamboo. Ingemar was not there but a lot of great US & Canadian racers where. When Phil ran the SL it was pretty much as you describe. He absolutely shredded the course, gates flying everywhere, stuck between his legs, snapping in half, sliding down the hill etc.! Once he was done there was a long hold while they literally reset the whole course.@Muleski, I recall hearing the rumor that Stenmark was one of the reasons that we now have break-away gates, he was the first to figure out that going through the gate was faster than going around them. After his runs, the course was in shambles with bamboo everywhere and they had to reset the course. Any truth?
@ScotsSkier if you can find it, check out IIRC the 1989 Aspen GS 2nd run. When Stenmark roles through the flats about 1/3rd of the way down. I think you will see most elements of modern ski technique. Besides that it was an amazing race at the end of a record career.Still one of the greats! Just makes it look so smooth and effortless. And in the later (late 80s on) footage his GS does not look dramatically different from current 35m ski GS! Well, that is until you see just how much up and down body movement it takes to make the old school skis come round! 35m skiing exaggerated! Even Ingemar couldn't make these old skis roll side to side under him (with a quiet/still/disciplined/dynamic - pick your poison of choice!! upper body.)..
Back in the early 90's the now long gone Snow Country ski magazine did a detailed breakdown of IS ski technique with super clear photographs. That article and then Lito 1 video together had the greatest impact on my personal skiing and understanding of what makes a ski perform.
Great post that takes me on the way back machine. Thanks!
today's GS skiing is not a style to be emulated by recreational skiers.
Right?I'd take it.
I've been trying to do it all wrongRight?
Here's Hirscher doing some apparently hideous modern gs turns under competition pressure.
View attachment 25687
Photo Ron LeMaster Vail 2015
Isn't Anja Parson also from Tarnaby? Must be something in the waterActually met a guy who 'know' Ingemar in the gym t'day. He's a friend and involved in the club (same U16 squad as my oldest), grew up in Tärnaby, skied for Fjällvinden and went to the academy there. He's 15ish years younger but Tärnaby is a tiny place.