Administrators Horton Posted January 13, 2014 Administrators Share Posted January 13, 2014 Do you have a question for Chris Rossi? Post it here. In a week or so Chris will pick the best questions and answer them. Take your time and formulate the best question you can think of. The most insightful question will get a prize. Support BallOfSpray by supporting the companies that support BallOfSpray California Ski Ranch ★ Connelly ★ Denali ★ Goode ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ MasterLine ★ PerfSki ★ Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gator1 Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 I'd like to know if he is aiming for the same position in both weak side and strong side pull, and they just look different due to the fact theyARE weak side/strong, or is he trying for different positions to maximize the available (and different) mechanics of weak/strong stance. In other words hips rotated cross course on weak side, and more open to boat strong side. On purpose, or of necessity? Or optical illusion I shouldn't be seeing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller MISkier Posted January 13, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 13, 2014 What is the best drill, exercise, and/or visualization to keep elbows/arms in through the wake and after the whitewater? In other words, how do I improve my ability to keep the handle for myself (in close) through the edge change and into the release? Handle control one of my two areas of focus this year. Gate timing is the other. The worst slalom equipment I own is between my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chris Rossi Posted January 13, 2014 Members Share Posted January 13, 2014 This is a great start guys. Keep the questions coming! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jordan Posted January 13, 2014 Members Share Posted January 13, 2014 I am interested in the mental side of competing. So, my question is how do you take what you practice and what you are currently working on and put it into play in competition without overthinking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ToddL Posted January 13, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 13, 2014 What is the one or two things that you had to learn/master to get over one of your biggests plateaus in running up the ski rope? These might be things that you have so incorporated into your style that now they are automatic, so think back... Also, how did you obtain that skill or ability? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ToddL Posted January 13, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 13, 2014 What do you think USAWS/AWSA needs to change or focus on to make it easier for more rec skiers of any age to ease into competitive skiing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ToddL Posted January 13, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 13, 2014 What was the most fun/silliest format you've ever participated in at a tournament? Share the story... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ToddL Posted January 13, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 13, 2014 When training, do you spend more ski time at an easier pass perfecting technique or more time at your hardest pass trying to figure it out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Bulldog Posted January 13, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 13, 2014 What changes should be made to slalom skiing to make it more appealing to have the masses come out and enjoy an event? "Do Better..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller PurdueSkier Posted January 13, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 13, 2014 Following up on @Jordan's question, What is the best way to practice: What are your techniques to identify, correct, and incorporate improvements in your practice skiing? I only get 4-6 sets per week, so I want to make the most of each of those sets. Do you use previous sets/video to identify individual areas to work on, then focus your next set on a single issue, possibly using a longer line/slower speed; or do you try to always work on integrating minor changes into a complete pass/set and work down the rope? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwetskier Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 i seem to remember in one of your articles you wrote that you never want to be 'free of the boat'. can you expand on that thought? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller disland Posted January 13, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 13, 2014 You have a unique perspective being immersed deeply in both the water ski and snow ski industries and culture. What similarities and differences do you see. What are some of the things the snow ski folks are doing to promote the sport that could carry over to water ski? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jimbrake Posted January 13, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 13, 2014 Hi Chris. Please explain how you "smear" the ski after the edge change. thanks, Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bishop8950 Posted January 13, 2014 Members Share Posted January 13, 2014 What up Rossi. I may be in Salt Lake in a month and if so I will see if you are around, I want to ski Alta My question, what do you think makes Nate so good? Another, after you are snow ski fit and you return to waterskiing in the spring, do your legs feel stronger then than they do in August? Mine do, by a lot. I will be in gym more this summer and am thinking about focusing on leg strength. Sound like a good idea? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck_Dickey Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 I'd like to hear Chris's current feeling with regard to front and back foot position and ankle spacing. I'm 5'-8", 165 pounds and have small feet (8.5) my ski bud is 6'+ and wears size 13's. Both have the same front heel placement which makes a big difference in rear heel location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtrskior Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 I've been told by a number of different coaches about casting the handle out past centerline at my tougher passes at shorter lines. I'm able to get through -28off pretty consistently but not 32 or 35off at 34mph. I have a strong lean and pull too much too soon or too long I've been told at times . I've had a tough time visualizing this pushing the handle out concept and making it happen consistently. Thanks Chris! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ilivetoski Posted January 13, 2014 Members Share Posted January 13, 2014 Hey Chris, What do you think would be the best advice for someone who is stuck at 32 off 36 mph? Also how do you get rid of the mental nervousness at tournaments? Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller foxriverat Posted January 13, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 13, 2014 Hi Chris. For us new ballers that are just starting to try running the course. What advise or most important steps should we follow in order to succeed in making our first pass through the course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas6 Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Hey Chris - how important is physical conditioning in your philosophy on professional waterski training? Part two: If physical training is important to you, how does it change during the season vs off season? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members skier2788 Posted January 14, 2014 Members Share Posted January 14, 2014 My Question Was Exactly The Same As @Texas6. Please Give An Idea As To What The Routine Is. Specific Exercises You Feel Keep You In Shape During The Off Season And During The Season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Skoot1123 Posted January 14, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 14, 2014 How do you manage to maintain a "quiet head/level head" throughout the pass? Is that something that you practice and if so how? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jayski Posted January 14, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 14, 2014 Hey @chrisrossi Chipotle, Moe's or Tijuana flats when your in Otown? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Zman Posted January 15, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 15, 2014 A lot of good questions. I hope Chris answers many of them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller A_B Posted January 15, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 15, 2014 Chris, what are your thoughts on being "too early" to a buoy vs less aggression behind the boat and being more efficient? What do you think about doing to achieve or not achieve this path? What is the difference when finishing an onside vs offside turn? I feel like I can "sit" on the buoy on my onside, but rarely do I feel this on my offside finish. What do you try to "feel" when you finish your turns? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted January 15, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 15, 2014 Have skis really evolved? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller alex38 Posted January 16, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 16, 2014 where's wade? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogboy Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Chris, thank you for your time. I have been skiing about 4 or 5 buoys under my potential this fall, and especially winter. My current 28, -15's feel like my 30, -15's felt last summer. I have only run a hand full of 30, -15's all winter. My hope is that as the weather warms up, I will get back on track, and improve, and exceed my performance of last summer. (Pb, 4 @ 32, -15). I ski on a regular basis through the winter, I think. About 2 times a week up at the course lake, and about 2 times a week at my larger home lake, free skiing. I am 57 y.o, 6'3", 190, good shape, no physical problems or limitations. 69" 2013 triumph (with steps). I plan to keep skiing, for a long time. I have skied since I was a kid, but I only ran my first full pass about 18 months ago. I do participate in lesson clinics at the course lake. I guess my question to you is what would you suggest for me, and also other skiers like me? Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ToddL Posted January 16, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 16, 2014 Chris, are you going to answer these questions via a youtube video like @Horton did in his "interview" and will you be enjoying an adult beverage with a reference to a college-themed movie scene at the end? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted January 16, 2014 Author Administrators Share Posted January 16, 2014 http://media.tumblr.com/fe497dd337d9af8479bb6398b9565d16/tumblr_inline_mg6n5ltl6X1rxe4lt.gif Support BallOfSpray by supporting the companies that support BallOfSpray California Ski Ranch ★ Connelly ★ Denali ★ Goode ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ MasterLine ★ PerfSki ★ Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOODESkier Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 How do you organize your practice sets? Do you chop rope tournament style most sets, chop when it feels good and practice along the way, practice your hardest pass multiple times, practice your shortest full pass multiple times, opt up and start at a shorter length than normal to get used to varying opening pass lengths????? Wondering what your routine looks like and your theory on that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LZywicki1 Posted January 16, 2014 Members Share Posted January 16, 2014 Normally I ski on a Public lake that we have a course on, this past year I was able to ski at a couple of private sites. What a difference in water conditions and no traffic. How would you train when your water conditions are changing constantly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chris Rossi Posted January 16, 2014 Members Share Posted January 16, 2014 Great questions everyone! Keep them coming! @ToddL I am considering the video response. Radar and BOS are offering up swag to the winners so give it your best shot! I'm hoping to keep this as on ongoing weekly/bi-weekly event as long as you all have interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller tjm Posted January 16, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 16, 2014 A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jimbrake Posted January 16, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 16, 2014 @tjm - I will leave the answers to your technical questions to Chris as is the purpose of this thread. However, the term "counter rotation" has been used to describe upper and lower body separation by ski instructors and race coaches since at least the 1960s and probably much further back than that as extreme counter rotation was taught by early Austrian ski schools. Don't know if they called it "counter rotation" back then, but the term certainly wasn't invented by a water ski instructor. The concept and term are old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobE Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Where do I find Rossi's answers to questions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rico226 Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 Chris, looking for the latest ski tips on the "ultimate edge out" for the gates, where the desired width, outbound ski energy and snug line is achieved when it is time to turn in, LFF 35'off - 34mph skier, most of the time at the harder passes, after the edge out, end up on a flat ski with downcourse speed and a loose line. When the line tightens up, I am not in the desired position, the handle is somewhere to the right of my body and the ski is not out in front of me, so alot is going on in the white water, scrambling to reposition and not let the boat just pull me on down course late into one ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DefectiveDave Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 Chris, What considerations do you give to maintaining your health throughout the season (and beyond)? People seem to be constantly injuring themselves (sometimes rather badly) in this sport even when skiing at lower levels such as myself. At the highest levels of competition staying in good health to be able to train and remain competitive seems like it would have to be a priority. I imagine the bad falls become more rare as the skill level goes up, but I would also assume that when one does finally occur it's likely going to be even nastier. That's not to say that I'm just considering monumental wipeouts, everyday things like repetitive strain injuries, pulled muscles, and tendonitis are also a concern. Anyone of those can put someone out of commission for good portions of the season or at least make it difficult to ski to their full potential. How do you address these concerns? Is there anything you do to mitigate some of the risk? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller schafer Posted January 17, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 17, 2014 Rossi i know this might be a little overlap to some other questions but, on the pull out for the gates how strong or not strong should the pull out be? and should it change at different line lengths? and should the pull through the gates change intensity depending on line length? i ski -22 up to stabs at -35. and always seem to have too much speed into no. 1. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Bruce_Butterfield Posted January 17, 2014 Baller_ Share Posted January 17, 2014 With the nature of slalom skiing, we all get to plateaus and get stuck unable to break past that one buoy or line length, whether its 30mph long line or 41 off. Sometimes it takes weeks or years to breakthrough, and sometimes that breakthrough never happens. Many times skiers will chase their tails trying new adjustments or new skis, but that is rarely the correct fix. I know most of the time, the fix will be unique to that skier, but have you found any consistent way or method to help break through the slalom plateaus? If it was easy, they would call it Wakeboarding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller TravisNW Posted January 17, 2014 Baller Share Posted January 17, 2014 Is the objective of the finish of the turn to have less lean? When dryland skiing it seems to make sense to finish the turn more upright pivoting the finish on a horizontal axis with ski under head and as far from the boat as possible. It seems to influence an on point edge change avoiding lean lock by allowing the skier to gradually increase lean feeding the ski closer to the boat as he approaches the wakes and then an undo process leads to a preturn with lots of space. This approach seams to work with an idea that we swing back as we travel across course from Bouy to wake and it could reduce distance traveled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted January 17, 2014 Author Administrators Share Posted January 17, 2014 I just got off the phone with Rossi. We have more than enough questions for Chapter #1. Chris is working on answers. If you did not get to ask your question, don’t freak out. We plan do to a ”Ask Rossi” Chapter #2 and with luck a Chapter 3, 4, and so on Support BallOfSpray by supporting the companies that support BallOfSpray California Ski Ranch ★ Connelly ★ Denali ★ Goode ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ MasterLine ★ PerfSki ★ Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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