The Super G!
By: Annie McFee
Introduction
How it is Played
This sport is intense, and a little dangerous, so only skilled skiers should try this. First, you need to push off a platform at the top of a mountain. You need to make your body as small as possible to go faster. You need to ski between the gates. There is a little area where you go into the air, and if you fall you will lose points. Injuries are known to come from this sport, so there is a lot of training to get you ready. In the end, the person with the most points wins.
Equipment and its uses
Skis- the skis are generally made from various materials, such as wood and composite fibers. They have to be adapted to the wear and tear they undergo during a race. The performance of the skis depends on length, width, and shape. It also depends on the course you are on, and speed,. the metal edges are sharpened before each race because it makes the ski hold during turns on icy surfaces.
Boots- the boots are made specific to competition discipline. The raising of a boot sole is permitted to increase the ability to pressurize the ski. The maximum distance between the boot sole and the foot is regulated, presently at 50 mm men and 45 mm women.
Gloves- the gloves are made out of leather or synthetic material. This sport's gloves also have a plastic forearm guard for protection while skiing gates.
Goggles- goggles protect eyes against weather, glare, and effects of speed on your eyes. They can be worn with a variety of lens colors to maximize contrast and visibility.
Helmet- the helmet is compulsory for Downhill/Super G. A helmet is often worn in slalom and giant slalom. Also, some skiers prefer to attach a chin guard.
Poles- the poles are curved to fit your body to reduce air resistance. In slalom events, poles are straight, and they often have plastic guards covering your knuckles, helping skiers knock slalom poles out of their path.
Suit- suits are worn to reduce air resistance. They must meet minimum requirements for air permeability. Padding may be worn under the suit. A plastic black protector is usually worn in downhill. In slalom events, pads are frequently worn on arms, knees, and shins.
Bindings- bindings are a link between boots and skis. Safety bindings will release when torsion or impact is strong enough. The maximum height is regulated at 55 mm.
Science of sport
In Super G, you start at an elevated position because it possesses a large quantity of potential energy. Starting from a rest, the mechanical energy of a skier is entirely in the form of potential energy. As a skier begins to descend downhill, the potential energy is lost and kinetic energy is gained. As the skier loses height and potential energy, she gains speed and kinetic energy. Once the skier reaches the bottom of the hill, her height reaches a value of 0 meters, indicating a total depletion of potential energy. At this point, speed and kinetic energy are at a maximum. This energy state is maintained until the skier meets the section of unpacked snow and skids to a stop under the force of friction. Friction force, also known as dissipation force works upon a skier in order to decrease total mechanical energy As the force of friction acts over increasing distance, the quantity of work increases and mechanical energy of the skier is gradually dissipated. Once the skier runs out of energy, she comes to a rest position. The work done by external force (friction) has served to change the total mechanical energy of a skier.