Race Line
Overview: Where to ski through a racecourse, the Race Line, is as important as how to ski through the course. Knowing when to start a turn in relation to the Rise Line is important. There are three primary Race Lines — Wide Line, Direct Line, and Recovery Line — which apply to the various types of races.
The Rise Line
It’s usually best to start your turn just before reaching the Rise Line which is the direct path drawn vertically up the hill from the race gate as shown below.
The FIRST MINUTE of this VIDEO demonstrates starting the turn at the Rise Line.
Three Lines
- The Wide Line also called the High Line,
- The Direct Line, and
- The Recovery Line.
These lines apply to slalom, Giant Slalom and speed courses.
Wide Line
The Wide Line is faster and safer when carving turns and is the direction racers ski most of the time. The turning actions begins above the gate just before the Rise Line enabling the racer to start completing the turn when they pass the gate as illustrated below.
An explanation of why the Wide Line is faster and safer is presented by this video.
Direct Line
The Direct or Aggressive line can be faster when the racecourse straightens. You need to practice the Direct line when training gates otherwise this line will cause you to be late for the next gate.
Video of Wide and Direct Lines
Watch Mikaela Shiffrin win a slalom race by skiing the Wide line, followed by the more aggressive Direct line when the racecourse straightens. Watch Mikaela start rolling her skis on edge as she approaches the Rise Line.
Recovery Line
The Recovery Line is when the racer finds themselves in a sub optimal location on the racecourse, making it challenging to smoothly carve towards the next gate. You can perform a Recovery Action which may include a pivot turn or double pole plant, or for safety reasons ski out of the course.
In the following picture, the racer is working hard to recover from taking a late line on the racecourse.
Comparison of Two Lines
Racer in the Left Frame
· The racer on the left is skiing too directly at the gate, likely because he started the new turn too early before the Rise Line.
· As a result, he will have to rotate his upper body to avoid hitting the gate aggressively, which prevents him from stacking properly over the outside ski.
· Consequently, he will be late in passing the gate, forcing him to perform a recovery movement or risk skiing out of the course.
Racer in the Right Frame
· The racer on the right is skiing the Wide Line, having started the turn just before the Rise Line. He is able to start stacking his body against the outside ski above the gate, which allows him to accelerate towards the next turn as he passes by the gate.
Stivot when Steep, Icy and Rough
Stivot turns are effective on steep, icy and rough terrain where traditional carving turns might not be possible. They are used to change direction while maintaining speed, especially in slalom and giant slalom races. To learn more; Click below.
Find the Optimum Line Through Inspection and Visualization
Learn how inspecting and visualizing the racecourse will help you ski your optimum line; Click below.
‘See’ the Line by Looking Ahead
To learn how ‘Looking Ahead’ will help you ski your preferred line through a racecourse; Click below.
Key Takeaways
- In ski racing, selecting the appropriate racing line through the course is crucial. There are three primary lines to consider: the Wide Line, the Direct Line, and the Late or Recovery Line.
- The Wide Line, also known as the High Line, is generally the safest and faster choice for carving turns. It involves starting the turn just before reaching the Rise Line, allowing racers to start completing the turn as they pass by the gate.
- The Direct Line can be advantageous on straighter sections of the course but requires practice and may lead to being late for the next gate if not executed correctly. The Recovery Line is used when racers find themselves in sub optimal positions on the course, requiring a Recovery Action such as pivot turn or skiing out of the course. Safety should always be a priority when choosing the appropriate line.
- When the racecourse becomes steep, icy, and rough, ‘Stivot’ turns can help you navigate the course.
Suggested Learning Modules
Return to Slalom
Return to Visualize or Experienced Adult Racers
Important Note: Skiing and ski racing come with inherent risks. As such, it is imperative to ski responsibly and remain within the boundaries of your skill level and personal comfort zone.
