Mechanical parameters as predictors of performance in alpine World Cup slalom racing

The aims of the present study were to develop a method for classifying slalom skiing performance and to examine differences in mechanical parameters. Eighteen elite skiers were recorded with three‐dimensional kinematical measurements and thereafter divided into a higher (HP) and lower performance group, using the ratio between the difference in mechanical energy divided by the mass of the skier and section entrance velocity (Δemech/vin). Moreover, the skiers' velocity (v), acceleration (a), center of mass turn radii (RCM) and skis' turn radii (RAMS), ground reaction forces (GRF) and differential specific mechanical energy [diff(emech)] were calculated. v and diff(emech) were different between the performance groups (P