|
Chad Fleischer: A Quick Start is Key to a Fast Time
By Administrator // March 12, 2001
 Sport: Alpine Skiing
Height: 6' 2"
Date of Birth: Jan. 4, 1974
Hometown: Vail, Colo.
Chad's Info. . . .
Highlights:
1999 World Cup Downhill Finals - 2nd Place
1999 World Championships - 6th Place
1999 U.S. Championships - 1st Place
1996 U.S. Championships - 1st Place
Fleischer first skied at the age of 10 when his family went to Colorado. After they moved to Vail, he joined the Steamboat Springs Winter racing program where his interest in skiing took on a whole new meaning.
Fleischer has been a part of two U.S. Olympic Teams competing at the 1994 and 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway and Nagano, Japan.
He was recently presented the award for 1999 Male Alpine Skier of the year for the leaps and bounds in his performance on the 1998-99 World Cup Tour by “Ski Racing” magazine.
A Quick Start is Key to a Fast Time
A quick start is the easiest way to dramatically improve your race time. Anyone interested in ski racing can use these tips. Learning how to properly begin a race is just as important as finishing a race. Tip #1 - Starting Position
Place your poles just over the start wand making certain they are securely in place. (You want to be sure they will not slip when you push off them when starting). Your skis need to be shoulder-width apart to ensure a solid and balanced platform to spring off for your start. Have your knees bent and about four to six inches behind the wand. This is the basic stance before you actually start. Now that you are in the right starting position let's talk about how to actually start.
 Tip #2 - The Importance of Rhythm
I like to get into a rhythm, which is a countdown to go. 3, 2, 1, Go! A start is like jumping forward. It's important to go forward and down, not up. You want to match the angle of the start ramp like a skateboarder matches the angle of a skateboard ramp on a half-pipe. This allows for speed to be carried off the ramp and into the first few gates of the course. You are now in position to start. On three, bend your knees down and come up, on two go down and come up, on one go down and come up, on "Go!" and you're out of there. I cannot stress how important this rhythm is.
Tip #3 - Coming Out of the Gate
Extend your arms forward and push, at the same time kick your heels up and back. The sensation you want to feel is your body going forward, being propelled by your arms and shoulders, your feet going back and then snapping forward. The feet are the last part of your body to leave the start. The purpose of this technique is to get all your momentum going down and forward while your feet follow and trip the start wand last. Once you are out of the start, skate off your skis as much as you feel comfortable with to continue building momentum. Two or three skates is a pretty good assumption. Practice this technique anywhere on the mountain. A quick start is easy to figure out once the movement becomes natural and is sure to save up to half a second when done correctly. Let me know what you think at http://www.gochad.com/.
Follow Chad's Olympic Workout Program for 2001-2002
The most important thing about a program is to enjoy it. If you don't enjoy this program then it would be best to figure out what will work for you. These are merely my suggestions and tips. Results will only happen if you are determined to get them. There are no shortcuts and it will not be easy but given time, patience and determination you will succeed.
My Diet:
Try and stick with 60% protein, 30% carbohydrates and 10% fat. That isn't a lot information but if you do the research and break your food intake into the above categories you will see results. Calorie intake is not important but the right calories are important. With this diet you will see great results. Weight in terms of fat is not important but weight for muscle gain is, so keep track..
DMS - Delayed Muscle Soreness:
We all experience it in different ways shapes and forms. Don’t let it scare you. When you work out the muscles build up lactic acid because they are breaking down tissues. You can work through it and that is why warming-up, cooling down and stretching are so important. They all help you recover from the strenuous activity.
|
