Parallel turn
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Snowplough turn |
The invention of the Parallel turn in skiing is credited to Austrian Toni Seelos in the 1930s. Many variations of the parallel turn have evolved since, at least in part due to improvement of ski equipment over the years.
Recent parallel technique involves tilting the outside ski so that it runs along its big-toe edge, and applying pressure to it. As the turn progresses the two skis remain parallel, and the second ski also starts to run along the inner (little-toe) edge. Both skis start to skid at the very beginning of the parallel turn.
Mechanic of parallel turn is much more complicated than of carve turn. Skier is moving his center of gravity over the length of the ski and therefore changes the deformation of the ski. As the result, change of dynamic friction over the length of the ski will rotate the skier into the turn if center of gravity is moved backward and vice versa. The ability to rotate depends on the torsional stiffness of the ski. Ski construction for advanced skiers is torsionaly stiffer and therefore more skill and force is needed to turn such ski at low speed, but they are more stable at higher speeds. Beginner’s skis are less torsionaly stiff and therefore easier to turn at low but unstable at higher speeds.
Dynamic friction is acting perpendicular to the ski edge in parallel turn. Because the ski is skidding at certain angle to skier’s direction of movement, drag is produced and used to reduce speed of the skier on steep slopes.
The parallel turn is easier and more practical when skiing at moderate or faster speeds and also when skiing in difficult conditions.
Turning the ski using a parallel turn with skidding is the opposite of carve turn, where the edge of the ski does not lose its grip during the whole turn. In the 1990s ski design developed to make this easier to accomplish.
[edit] See also
- Stem Christie - a simpler, lower speed turn
- Skiing and Skiing Topics
