INTRODUCTION: Alpine skiing speed races are often decided by fractions of a second. Therefore, even the start sequence especially in flat terrain, has the potential to influence on the total performance [1]. By analyzing the start's critical elements, several studies emphasize that even small improvements in technique or mental preparation can make a significant difference in overall race outcomes. Main focus of those studies has been put on the initial acceleration out of the start gate and the concerning role of explosive leg strength, reaction times, and efficient use of the start gate [2]. In the current study focused on the phase after leaving the gate and analyzed the different skiing techniques of World-Cup athletes to accelerate into the course of a World-Cup Super-G race. METHODS: The start performance of 30 elite racers has been analyzed at the FIS Ski World-Cup Super-G in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 2024. The start area was recorded by 7 video-cameras (60Hz) from different perspectives and angles. Several time markers had been defined to extract the absolute performance: opening start gate - passing gate 1 (time to gate 1) - passing gate 2 (time gate1 to gate 2) - int. time 1 - total race time. To analyze the start strategies, the sub-techniques of cross country skiing (skating) following the convention in Nilsson et al. [3] have been used to classify the different movements. Crosscountry experts have rated the movement quality. RESULTS/DISCUSSION: First results show high correlation (.89**) between "time to gate 1" and "int. time 1" but not to total race time. The different sub-techniques have been used very individual and variable. Number of leg movements differed from 4-7, supported by different numbers of poling actions. No certain start strategies concerning nations or teams have been detected. Results on movement quality will be presented at the congress. CONCLUSION: Due to the importance of the start performance especially at start in flat terrain, the used technique and the movement quality of this techniques might be crucial for the total race performance.
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