The Olympic men's GS was one for the history books. Imperial for Hirscher, inspiring for Kristoffersen to produce a huge come back in the second run, and impressive for Pinturault and the French Team that placed his four Racers in the top seven finishers.
It must have also been humiliating for Ted Ligety who saw his own star fade precipitously during what will probably be his last Olympics. During his absence for almost two seasons due to repeated injuries, the GS technique has changed drastically and has become much more aggressive.
Instead of “milking” long, fast curves, racers (and Hirscher in particular) are now pivoting at the last minute over the gate, cutting it as close as they can, while carving the bottom portion to the next “pivot”.
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Change is always hard to absorb, especially when a method has been so productive and rewarding in the past. I can guarantee you that adapting to Hirscher's fast and furious approach is likely to be on everyone's agenda during this spring and summer...