Prime Time, the race that is the most important and has greatest competition, toughest terrain, and most difficult conditions, is what ski racing is all about. It’s the reason why you work so hard on all aspects of your skiing. Prime Time is the reason you’re reading my column. Prime Time is that moment that [...]
The biggest races of the season are rapidly approaching: State Championships, the Junior Olympics, J1 Nationals, U.S. Nationals, Topolino, and others. You’ve been aiming for these big races all season, working hard in training and doing your best in qualifying races. Hopefully, you feel you’re ready to ski as fast as you can. Those of [...]
Every recommendation that I have made in my articles on skiracing.com is directed toward helping your young racers develop a positive emotional response to their ski racing experiences. The ability of your children to have a positive emotional reaction begins with a firm grounding in their feeling loved, secure, and competent. A positive emotional reaction [...]
At the top of the Prime Ski Racing Pyramid sits emotions. It’s closest to the top of the pyramid because emotions will ultimately dictate how you ski on race day and throughout the competitive season. Emotions before, during, and after a race can cover the spectrum from excitement and elation to frustration, anger, and disappointment. Emotions are [...]
Note to Readers: The middle of race season is approaching and the biggest races are looming ahead. As the pressure mounts, I figured that all kinds of psychological issues are coming up for racers and parents alike. So, I thought I would devote the next few weeks to answering questions from you. If you have [...]
Focus may be the most misunderstood mental factor among racers. Most racers think of focus as concentrating on one thing really hard for a long time. In fact, a number of years ago, former Olympic champion said that she improved her skiing by staring at her skis for ten minutes a day. She may have [...]
Here are two YouTube videos of Manfred Pranger that beautifully illustrate the use of mental imagery and "fire-up" self-talk in race preparation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8dtZfI2YqE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtDZm6uHwgM&feature=related
The journey of raising your children to become successful begins with their participation in achievement activities such as ski racing. The goal of this involvement isn’t necessarily to find success in those early activities; that’s not always possible. Rather, this participation should initiate the process of instilling the values, attitudes, and life skills that are [...]
In my last article directed to racers, I offered you practical techniques for lowering your intensity when you get too worked before races. Though less common, low intensity and letdowns in intensity can also prevent you from skiing your best. A decrease in intensity causes all the things that enable you to ski with fast [...]
I just returned from three days of work with the Osler Bluff Ski Club in Ontario. During my visit, I met three young athletes who had sustained serious injuries. One 12-year-old suffered tib-fib fractures and was going to be in a full-length cast for eight weeks. A 15-year-old who is one of Canada’s top young [...]