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Hornbein
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Skier Mikaela Shiffrin this year achieved complete dominance in slalom ski racing, winning nine of ten races by large margins. In the tenth she placed second by one one hundredth of a second. What were the physics of how she did this?
It may be seen here that her style is noticeably different from that of the other racers. MS's upper body is more upright than any of the others. Everyone else leans into the turns. Their skis are further from the skier's center of gravity hence are traveling a longer distance and edging more. That's slower.
Though that one one hundredth of a second may have cost her the close race with Emma Aicher for the overall title. We'll see in a few weeks when the ski racing season ends.
It may be seen here that her style is noticeably different from that of the other racers. MS's upper body is more upright than any of the others. Everyone else leans into the turns. Their skis are further from the skier's center of gravity hence are traveling a longer distance and edging more. That's slower.
Though that one one hundredth of a second may have cost her the close race with Emma Aicher for the overall title. We'll see in a few weeks when the ski racing season ends.