About Ski Mastery

Skier Alignment: "The more your body is mechanically coherent, the more it can cope with the physical demands placed upon it. A well-aligned skier can carve more effectively, and harness more power from the mountain." Gains in Performance from Good Body Alignment, by Bernard Chesneau, L'Entraineur du Ski Alpin, issue 36, Dec 2000.

The term alignment means: the correction of structural imbalance and asymmetry in the body caused by wearing ski boots. Proper alignment is achieved by working on the footbed and placing cants under the ski bindings. This corrects any twist or rotation in the hips, and also correctly aligns the bones.

Today we do not only correct asymmetry in the bone structure - we also restore the flow of energy in the body. Ski boots interrupt this energy flow, as do postural and structural imbalances in the body.

This "Power" ski alignment is the ultimate solution, and gets the best results, as the body is always positioned for optimum comfort and performance.

The body has a memory, and the network of tensions caused by day-to-day wear and tear builds up in the body. It is therefore very important to look after the posture of the body - when in and out of ski boots. In this we fully agree with Gérard Gautier in his article " Postural Education " issue No 38 in L'Afesa (French Association of Ski Racer Trainers)

Gautier says: "A good daily body posture is at the heart of the search for high performance. The benefits of this can only be properly understood over time, and by thoughtfully considering the balance of the body."

We also believe firmly in the need to thoughtfully consider the body's balance. To this end we have developed a technology where we test the body's response to our adjustments, in order to optimize the body's natural power.

The process of asking the skier's nervous system what it thinks of a particular product, position or stimulus allows us to maximize the body's power, vitality and effectiveness.

This ability to test the body's energy response to outside stimulus is a marvelous tool, which allows us to measure the body's needs. We can then create an environment where optimum energy, and therefore performance, is achieved. We have found that our body alignment techniques improve the skier's physiological response - thus giving the skier more power, more fluid turns and greater speed.

The ability to test the body's energy response can also be used to test any external stimulus - such as; ski boots, helmet, ski goggles, sun glasses, or gloves.

An individual performs better when his body and nervous system respond strongly to a given stimulus. When a given stimulus is not in harmony with the body, the nervous system gives a weak response, and the skier's performance is automatically reduced. The format for testing allows us to eliminate, one by one, all the negative factors affecting the skier.

1. Find the skier's 'neutral', without ski boots
2. Place the skier on a laser evaluation deck, and observe any negative postural change from wearing ski boots
3. Compare the 'neutral' response with the response while wearing ski boots
4. Carry out corrections to the skier's stance when in ski boots
5. Measure the skier's response to the adjustments

The body's posture must be good to start with to establish a strong 'neutral' response. This will be the reference during the testing with ski boots. If the skier tests weak when bare foot in the standing position then there are structural problems even before ski boots are introduced. In this case it is advisable to consult a chiropractor, osteopath or 'body worker' to resolve the problem.

Observation of structural deformity is easy when the skier stands on the laser deck

This sketch shows how ski boots affect the overall posture most frequently (53.2%)

The result is twisted hips and knock knees

The body will test weak in this position.

Skier performance is automatically reduced.

The various parts of the ski boot are interdependent. Our protocol for analysis is greatly simplified now that we can ask the body at each stage of adjustment.

Factors affecting lateral balance :
· Footbeds
· The lateral angle of the boot base board
· The boot cuff angle
· The angle at which the sole of the shell has been moulded

Factors affecting the fore/aft balance :
· The ramp angle of the sole of the boot.
· Heel lifts.
· The foreward flex of the boot cuff and shell.
· The angle between the boot and the binding, if any

The quality of the interface between the skier and the footbed can be tested. We do this by comparing tests when barefoot and when on the footbeds. If the body tests weaker on footbeds than without them, then work must be done on the footbeds before continuing. Alternatively other footbed products can be tested to see if the body has a stronger response. If "conformable" footbeds have been made we immediately know how effective they have or have not been.
Footbeds are meant to give better mechanical balance to the skier or ski racer. However even in sports shops where there is a specialist boot-fitting department, no method of controlling effectiveness of the fit exists. Clients therefore cannot be certain that they have purchased the best product for them. The Equilybria technology allows this.

4. Observe whether the ramp angle of the base board negatively impacts the skier's fore-aft balance

Testing the body allows us to measure the effect of ramp angles. Generally they are too steep and cause an imbalance in the body. The smaller boot sizes are often the worst offenders.

We quote Gautier again, from L'Afesa no 38 : " The foreward tilt of the rear shaft of the boot and the ramp angle form an angle with the footbed which directly influences the angle of the ankle flex and the shin. This indirectly influences the knees, hips and the whole spine. In other words what we have here are factors which can interfere with the fore-aft positioning of the hips and the curving of the lower lumber region of the back."

We agree with Gautier in his analysis of the factors which interfere with fore-aft balance. We can add a diagnosis and a cure to this analysis. Once again we have proof that performance comes only by respecting the body's harmony and well-being.

The ski industry is constantly seeking to harmonise skiers with their equipment. Our tried and tested process gives unambiguous results in a short time. We would like to share this technology and propose the following:

You are a ski racer, you have your ski equipment and you'd like to improve your results. We are happy to talk to you.

Bernard Chesneau has been consulted by Rossignol Race Trainer Michel Gros regarding the alignment of the Rossignol ski racers. Last consultation May 2007 with Anne-Sophie Barthet.

You are a trainer or director in a ski club and you would like to help your young racers get ahead. We would like to meet you, as we have solutions which will take the racers of your club to a new level of performance.

You are a manufacturer of ski equipment or ski accessories. Use our body testing technology to enhance your next product line. The technology of the future is already here!

Bernard Chesneau
Ski Mastery, Les Anemones, 73150 Val D'Isere - France
Tel: France +33 (0)4 79 40 17 68
Mobile: France +33 (0)6 14 27 15 60
E-mail: ski@ski-mastery.com

Bernard Chesneau is Director of Ski Mastery, author of Ski As You Think, and writes regularly in L'Entraineur du Ski Alpin.