Alpine Skiing: How do you execute the perfect turn to win a World Cup downhill event?

Like Wengen, the Kiztbuhel downhill is legendary. The "Streif" is known for several sections, such as Mausefalle or the famous Steilhang turn. But it's above all the traverse, a long bend at the end of the descent which offers skiers the chance to save the greatest amount of time. In quick succession, skiers have to take the bend perfectly and decide on the best possible line. "If you deviate slightly from the line, you end up in the netting immediately, the Frenchman Adrien Théaux told Le Monde, in 2014. It's an unforgiving slope". His countryman John Clarey paid the price in 2013…

Last year, Peter Fill took the honours at Kitzbühel, beating two Swiss skiers (Beat Feuz and Carlo Janka). The Italian sealed the win with his skilful handling of the traverse, holding the best line and displaying impeccable carving. Carving is the moment that the skier commits to coming back in, opening the angle of bend to come out of the gate at maximum speed. Peter Fill did it perfectly on the "Streif", gaining nearly half of his final lead (0''14 out of 0''37) on this section.

Time gaps are mainly opened up on downhill turns. But how do you execute the perfect turn to gain a few precious seconds? All is explained in the video below, produced using data generated by Longines Live Alpine Data technology. A comparison of Norwegian Aksel Lund Svindal, the Longines Ambassador, and Frenchman Alexis Pinturault.

The Longines Live Alpine Data technology, consisting of a chip attached to the skier’s boot and equipped with motion sensors, was announced in the beginning of the alpine skiing season, in Sölden. It will officially be launched for the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships St. Moritz 2017, supported by Longines as Official Partner and Timekeeper.