Alpine skiers usually have some familiarity with the Olympic mountains they will hurtle down at faster-than-an-American-highway speeds. Not this time. Is that more dangerous or a great equalizer? Beijing2022
In downhill, veteran skiers have an edge on many World Cup courses used year after year. They learn the intricacies — every little bump, jump and turn — and perfect the racing line over time, helping shave hundredths of seconds off their times.
Some view the situation as a great equalizer, because no one will derive any sort of advantage from past experience. “Who is good at studying things, and studying details, remembering them, is going to be advantage,” Goggia said.International Ski Federation race director Markus Waldner described the venue as “challenging” and “demanding,” especially with the strong wind expected in the area. He said the course has various types of terrain and includes steep and lengthy gliding sections, along with what he called “a nice finish jump.
Then, once training runs begin, it’s time to really gauge whether it is too hard or too easy and what, if any, adjustments should be made, such as shaving a jump’s takeoff to make it less precarious on a particularly windy day.