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WATERSKI Magazine
Slalom skiing is like assembly-line work. There are dozens of things that go into the finished product, but each task must be completed before the next is begun. For example, look at an automotive factory. Rather than try to do three jobs at once, each person does one job to completion, then passes it on to the next.
For us, if we try to blend three jobs at the same time we'll probably sacrifice at least one of the three, and maybe two. This is especially true of the turn. Too often we come out of the turn already thinking about something else, and subsequently we're out of position. We aren't finished with the turn and we're already starting to lean, or leverage, toward the first wake. Big mistake.
Instead, concentrate on completing the turn by keeping your knees flexed and absorbing the entire turn with the lower body. If you start leveraging too soon, you'll push up with your legs and feel tons of pressure from the boat's pull. The only pull should be the pressure you maintain on the handle to create your center of balance while your legs absorb the turn.
Focus on finishing the turn correctly and you will be in position for, and ready for, the pull. Then all you need to do is hang on, point your ski to the shore and let the boat do the work.
