Ted Ligety is a specialist: he is, arguably, the greatest giant slalom racer of our time. The Giant Slalom (“GS”) is a unique skiing event, combining the ability carry speed like a downhiller and run gates like a slalom racer, but at much higher speeds. When properly executed, as on the World Cup tour, the ski racer flows down the hill in a series of high speed turns, but not all skiers turn the same way and Ligety’s specialization in the GS has paid off, handsomely. Ligety’s accomplishments in the GS include winning the Combined event at the Turin Olympics in 2006 and taking the Gold Medal in the GS at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. He’s won five World Cup championships in the Giant Slalom, including a run of four out of the last five years (2008, 2010, 2013, 2014). He will be favored to pick up the Gold in the World Championships currently taking place at Vail/Beaver Creek. Prior to the Sochi Olympics, the New York Times did this short film on T ed Ligety and the special art of carving Giant Slalom Turns. About half-way through the film, there is a side by side comparison of Bode Miller and Ted Ligety taking the same turn in a GS run; the contrast in style could not be more different.
The Fine Print: From The New York Times and prepped originally for the Sochi 2014 Olympics. Distributed through YouTube. All rights belong to respective owners.