Telemark World Cup Ski Racing

A video by Charlie Dresen

It's probably safe to say that most freeheel skiers are not very familiar with telemark ski racing, especially in North America. This despite the fact that an American--Reid Sabin of Whitefish, Montana-- not long ago won the Telemark World Cup two years in a row, almost single-handedly putting U.S. tele racing on the map along the way. With no coaches, no official team training site, and very little financial support, telemark world cup racing in the United States remains a mostly obscure sport. Yet there is a real interest out there, indeed, the movement to get tele racing added to the Winter Olympics continues. And, as this video by World Cup team member Charlie Dresen proves, tele racers are a dedicated bunch. Take a peek at their world in this interesting and informative 5 part video...   Part 1 Part 1--Featuring segments with Carole Hill, Matt Beedle and Reid Sabin, along with clips from races in Maribor, Slovenia, Montana's Big Mountain and more, this 6 minute part one sets the stage for the rest of the video. 21mb Windows Media   Part 2 Part 2--This 7+ minute part two includes comments from 3 time U.S. Nationals champion Chris Rice, Whistler local Scott McClorie (of Warren Miller "Storm" movie fame), as well as various other competitors including Reid Sabin, who introduces a segment detailing the "Classic" telemark race. The classic is freeheel racings equivalent to alpine's downhill, a grueling event that combines gate racing with a skating section at the bottom of the course. 26mb Windows Media     Part 3

Part 3--This 5+ minute third installment discusses the lagging technology, specifically bindings, that tele racers are forced to use, and jury-rigs these athletes must come up with. Also covered are specific rules pertaining to telemark racing, as well as differences between alpine and tele competitions.

 

Part 4

Part 4--The 6+ minute part 4 includes segments on jumping, the camaraderie tele racers enjoy and their love for the sport.

 

Part 5

Part 5--This 4 minute final part of "Telemark World Cup Racing" includes comments from racers and spectators as well as some memorable crash sequences.