Skiing Technique: Rodeo 5

Now here’s a semi-interesting fact: because it isn’t inverted, it was actually allowed by the FIS in the Olympics while there was a ban on being upside down for safety reasons.

In fact, the 360 rodeo was one of a moguller’s weapons of choice for a quite some time.

As with all these tricks, they keep getting bigger. Starting with the single spin, the talented types are now up to 1080s, which is three rotations. Always good to have somethig to aspire to.

Before trying any rodeo, make sure you’re happy spinning off the kicker and, for the 5, landing switch (aka backwards).

Throwing in a grab gives your leading hand something to do and will make the trick easier and more stylish.
 

How to do it:

1 RUN IN

Set the speed with a few practice jumps.

 

2 PREPARE

Drop into a crouch to get the pop from the lip. 

 

 

 3 LAUNCH

Pop and carve of the lip to start the spin as well as dropping the leading shoulder.

 

4 COMMIT

You've got good height and spin rate; nice work so far.

 

5 SHOULDER DOWN

And open your trailing arm a little. This is what's holding hte spin and sending you off-axis.

 

6 GO FOR THE GRAB

Here a Japan – that’s a grab behind the opposite boot.

 

7 FULLY COMITTED

By this point you're going round whether you like it or not.

 

8 SPOT THE LANDING

Your legs start coming round and down.

 

 

 9 HOLD THE GRAB

There's still plenty of time up there.

 

 10 OK, LET GO

Time to start unwinding and extending your arms.

 

 

11 EXTEND YOUR LEGS

Look under your right arm for the landing spot.

 

 12 STAY CENTRED

Not too forward or you'll eat snow.

 

 

13 CONGRATULATIONS, YOU'VE LANDED

Probably. Well done.

 

Trick: Rodeo 5 Japan / Rider: Jamie Mathews / Photographer: James Bryant / Location: Laax, Switzerland

 

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