Ski Racing: Next Season Starts…NOW!
Note: This article is an encore presentation of an article I wrote at the end of last season. The race season is finally over. After a long and demanding winter, you’re probably tired of skiing (regardless of whether the season was a triumph or a disappointment). It’s time to hang up your skis, pack away […]
Read MoreSki Racing: Ski Racing Imagery: Your Most Powerful Mental Tool
If you do anything to work on the mental side of your ski racing during this off season, it better be mental imagery. Why, you ask. Because there is no more powerful mental tool than mental imagery and it can have a huge impact on your ski racing. I say this with such conviction because […]
Read MoreSki Racing: Mental Lessons from the World Cup
In my last post, I described the competitive lessons you must learn from World Cup racers to ski your best in Prime Time, which I defined as being the biggest race of your life against the toughest field under the most difficult conditions. This week, I will detail the mental lessons you must also learn […]
Read MoreSki Racing: Competitive Lessons from the World Cup
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 […]
Read MoreSki Racing: 5 Ps for Big Races
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 […]
Read MoreSki Racing: Developing Emotional Challenge in Children
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 […]
Read MoreSki Racing: Emotions in Ski Racing
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 […]
Read MoreSki Racing: Don’t Talk About Results!
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 […]
Read MoreSki Racing: All Focus, No Distractions
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 […]
Read MoreSki Racing: YouTubes of Manfred Pranger: Use of Mental Imagery and Getting Fired Up
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
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