> |
> |
Hill Skating Technique
by Ray Vermette
I m not an instructor, nor an expert in skating technique. Ive prepared this in- formation based on personal experience and experimentation. If Ive left out something, or one of the points is not clear enough, let me know. Share your expertise with the club! Nothing replaces instruction and following your own good judgement.
A good reference for skaters is Speed on Skates by Barry Publow. For information: www.breakawayskate.com
UPHILL
Hint #1: Break out of the pack
The benefits of drafting are minimal on a slow uphill climb. Also, some skaters decelerate more quickly on hills than others. You are better off being in the open and taking the hill at your own pace than risk getting caught behind a slower skater and losing valuable mo- mentum.
Hint #2: Attack on the approach
Accelerate as you approach the base of the hill. The extra momentum will carry you part way up the hill and delay the point at which your technique must change from that of normal skating to hill climbing.
Hint #3: Increase turnover
The moment you stop pushing on a hill, gravity takes over and you begin to de- celerate swiftly. Therefore, you want to minimize glide and recovery and maxi- mize push while keeping your speed as constant as possible. A faster turnover (cadence) will help to achieve this. In- stead of long, powerful strokes, push evenly and more frequently.
Hint #4: Increase the push angle
As the angle of the hill increases and speed decreases, the direction of push will move increasingly from the side to the rear. The angle of your skates will change from almost parallel to the direction of travel to 45 degrees or more.
Hint #5: Swing the arms
Swinging the arms on an uphill climb will help facilitate a quicker turnover and build momentum.
Hint #6: Youre almost there!
Many skaters tend to slow down as they approach the crest of the hill.
Resist the urge! Gently accelerate as you approach the crest to give you extra mo- mentum to carry you over the top and set you up for a fast descent.
DOWNHILL
Hint #7: Get low
The faster you go, the more aerodynamic drag becomes a factor. Keeping your frontal area small can only help on a fast descent.
Hint #8: Get in a pack
Again: aerodynamics. The combined mass, momentum, and reduced frontal area of a tight pack are far more advanta- geous than skating alone.
Hint #9: Take longer strides
You are no longer decelerating on the glide and recovery portions of your skat- ing stroke. Gravity is your friend! Take longer, more powerful strokes. Increase your glide and recovery. Your leg should push almost directly outward (90 de- grees) from the direction of travel.
Brian Wilcock (lead) and Ray Vermette during the 2001 OBC Grand Prix in Gatineau Park
Hint #10: Ride the train
On a steep descent, skaters in a pack will typically glide downhill linked together one hand touching the back of the skater in front of you, the other often bracing a knee. Linked to- gether into a long train, these packs can reach amazing speeds. It can be very unnerving at first. Try this with a friend or two on a gentle downhill, then work your way up to larger groups on steeper descents.
Hint #11: And repeat...
If you are skating on rolling hills, accel- erate as you approach the end of the de- scent to give you extra momentum for the coming ascent.
