Today on the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis, Jason chats with American gold-medal Olympic ski racer Ted Ligety.   

In 2011, Ted Ligety put the FIS on blast for the governing body’s new mandates for ski lengths, saying the rules would “will eventually ruin this sport.” The following seasons, as he skied longer GS boards, he earned the nickname “Mr. GS,” winning six World Cup races in 2013 and three in 2014 on his way to his second Olympic gold at the Sochi Games. Ligety is a renowned technician on skis with highly angulated hips, knees, and ankles. His seen-everywhere images of his hips skimming smooth snow at ungodly speeds are inspiring. 

For this chapter of Next Level Skiing, Ligety talks about how he adapted to longer skis, founding Shred Optics, and what he’s learned most recently from the “ski coach in his boots.” 

Topics: 

1:40 - Ted’s background and journey to the slopes 

6:31 - Scrapping with FIS over new rules for ski lengths 

8:11 - Libertarian ski rules 

09:30 - Perfect storm of ski design and technique 

11:00 - Summer testing with 70 pairs of new GS skis in New Zealand 

13:40 - Weight training leading into the best season ever 

14:15 - Starting Shred Optics 

20:35 - The Carv footbed coach gamifies skiing 

23:20 - Angling edges at the top of the turn and shins parallel 

25:30 - A coach in your ski boots 

30:00 - Hamstring curls on the inside leg of your ski turn 

 

Resources: 

Ted Ligety 

Wagner Custom Skis