Downhill ski racing is a competitive sport, being a prominent fixture of the Winter Olympics and a popular winter activity for many. Downhill ski racing can vary, as each course offers different challenges and hazards. No matter how talented a skier you may be, it often requires multiple runs down a course before you become familiar with where you are riding and better learn how to handle the course. But it doesn't hurt to refine your technique and prepare yourself with the necessary skill sets.
Improve Aerodynamics
Some skiers may falsely believe that speed is built between the ski and the snow below. In actuality, your speed in downhill skiing is driven mostly by gravity, and your skis create minimal amounts of friction that can slow you down. The wind resistance created by your body can, on the other hand, slow you down considerably. To reduce this, many skiers position themselves in what is called a "tuck" position. This position requires riders to place their hands--which are holding ski poles--in front of their helmet to break the wind. The upper body is then lowered so that the shoulders are level with the hips, and the knees are bent. This provides a shock absorber in the legs as well as reducing your surface area hitting the wind. This position is often used whenever the ski poles are not being used.
Focus on Edge Angles
According to Ski Net, one of downhill ski racing's finest athletes, American Bode Miller, is unique in his riding style because of his extremely high edge angles, which enable him to cut sharply around corners while creating minimal friction. Doing this at Miller's level requires exceptional balance that many people do not possess. But you can still work on improving your balance and edge angles to improve your skiing and maintain high speeds throughout a run. Proper angling of your skis requires a full-body commitment--bending your knees and ankles toward the direction to which you are turning will help tilt your skis, reducing friction and whipping you around the corner faster.
Widen Your Stance
According to SkiExpert.net, a wider stance provides more stability to a skier. It also distributes pressure more evenly throughout the skis. Wider stances also go hand-in-hand with edge angles--the incline of the legs is increased, creating a sharper edge on turns while supporting these angles better through a more stable base stance.
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