The physics of speed

[kingslug]

So here's the question:
Two skiers about equal weight, same length skis, pretty mild terrain so no turns needed, yet one is faster than the other.
I tried racing GSS several times and could not out accelerate him. We where both straightlining it, started same time, yet he would just pull away from me.
I'm wondering if I 'm dragging an edge or something. Just couldn't figure it out.
Any "real" opinions.

 

[Greg]

Any "real" opinions.

Yeah. Speed is overrated.

Carry on...

 

[andyzee]

Width of ski?
Wax?
Fart propulsion

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

So here's the question:
Two skiers about equal weight, same length skis, pretty mild terrain so no turns needed, yet one is faster than the other.
I tried racing GSS several times and could not out accelerate him. We where both straightlining it, started same time, yet he would just pull away from me.
I'm wondering if I 'm dragging an edge or something. Just couldn't figure it out.
Any "real" opinions.

The two days I skied with you..my ski bases were uber dry..with the right wax..I would have skied much faster...but more important than the right wax is to be more aerodynamic..to create less drag/frictionion. The main way to achieve more speed is being more aerodynamic. Getting low helps and having the hands forward and ass up helps as well. Is your body facing down the fall line..are you pumping on the little rollers to achieve more speed? Choosing the most direct line helps as well..and having skis exactly parralel is also ideal..the old school skiing style with skis really close together can also create drag due to uneven snow surfaces. If you open up your stance..you'll blast over uneven snow more effectively with less friction. A problem with being one of the fastest skiers is that people are always in my way..I freaking hate people who ski cat tracks side to side..like the Ludacris soung..Move Bitch Get Out The Way..

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Yeah. Speed is overrated.

Carry on...

Well if there is a long flat section..speed is your friends..along with in deep crud..going through crud at 30mph is alot easier than at 10mph..

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Oh yeah and on sharp turns like on a trail with Switchbacks..carving a low turn will have you acellerate..skidding it will make you decelerate..My favorite place to pass someone is a sharp turn..it's like putting on the gas..vroom....man now I'm starting to miss skiing..

 

[drjeff]

Oh yeah and on sharp turns like on a trail with Switchbacks..carving a low turn will have you acellerate..skidding it will make you decelerate..My favorite place to pass someone is a sharp turn..it's like putting on the gas..vroom....man now I'm starting to miss skiing..

Just being able to actually carve a turn will let you pass ALOT of people on the hill

Gotta agree with your speed assesments GSS. The only thing I have an issue with is blasting down the flats, and while I used to share your exact opnion, nowadays when I'm skiing with my kids in the "defensive" blocker position behind them, the high speed "buzz the tower" antics that alot of both 1 and 2 plankers display, really pisses me off I definately have altered my kid free free skiing style and nowadays give a wider berth when passing the parent+kid train that we all see on the slopes.

GSS, as scary as it sounds, someday when yours and "Ms Right" (whoever it may be) turn some DNA into a kidlet and the kidlet becomes a 2 planker, you'll likely see that skiing slow on flat terrain can be just as much, if not more fun than the Mach 5 GS cranker runs, I know it's had that effect on me

 

[andyzee]

Speed= distance/time
Average speed= (speed1 + speed2+ speed3+ ... +speed n)/n
where speed1 etc. is an instance of the speed of the objects measured
at the first particular point
Velocity =distance/time
same as speed, except that speed is a VECTOR and velocity is a SCALAR. The difference is usually conceptual rather than computational.
Acceleration = velocity/time Differential versions of these formulae are also available, but they indicate more or less the same calculations.

 

[Geoff]

According to the SkiVT-L archives, GSS is faster than "Boston Bob". 'Nuff said.

 

[Vinny]

much like sex and counting to a million ..

It always ends before I get to a million.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

According to the SkiVT-L archives, GSS is faster than "Boston Bob". 'Nuff said.

Oh Yeah he's easy to pass..because he skids the few turns he makes..lol

 

[hardline]

one of the problems i have is the inherite tighter turn radius of snowboards. which is one of the reasons that i tend to rider longer length boards and why am looking into getting a custom board for freeriding that has a larger radius so i can stay more in the fall line while carving. on flats i have found that a proper bevel will allow you to saty on you base and allow you to keep you speed up. having the right wax can make or break a day. but im super anal about tuning from my days SG and downhill racing

 

[Hawkshot99]

Wax, base structure, skier weight, ski length, it all plays in. When I step into my race skis, I just rocket away from friends who normally can almost keep up.

 

[catskills]

Big Brown breaks all the laws of Physics

 

[drjeff]

Big Brown breaks all the laws of Physics

That's the truth!!! That completely different gear that he found at the top of the stretch was unreal!! Basically Big Brown didn't even run for more than a 1/4 of The Preakness. That horse is scary good.

 

[kingslug]

I guess a more thorough investigation will be needed next season. Andy Z. you will be needed for all computations.

 

[andyzee]

I guess a more thorough investigation will be needed next season. Andy Z. you will be needed for all computations.

Deal

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

We need at least a few AlpineZone chinese downhills next season..

 

[wa-loaf]

I guess a more thorough investigation will be needed next season. Andy Z. you will be needed for all computations.

Nah, you just need a pair of these:
http://www.skis.com/product/123707/Salomon+DHD+S+Lab+Limited+Race+Skis

:lol:

 

[Moe Ghoul]

All things being equal, it comes down to ski length (stability) and tuning the bottoms. That seems to be the defining difference with the pros, imo.