Why extend the leg on the outside ski?

1. To support snow surface resistance with "bones"

In the latter half of a ski turn, very strong centrifugal force (pressure) is applied. If you try to resist by bending your legs, the muscles alone will bear that weight, and when they reach their limit, your posture will break down or the ski will be 'hit'. By deliberately extending the outside leg and "stacking the bones like a single pillar," you can transmit powerful pressure directly to the snow surface without relying on muscle strength, increasing stability.

2. To accelerate with "pumping"

"pumps the ski" The term is similar to the movement of pushing hard into a slope to accelerate on a BMX bike or a skateboard ramp.

By extending your leg (pushing into the snow surface) towards the end (exit) of a turn, you further increase the ski's flex, converting that rebound into "propulsive force." This is the source of acceleration that not only finishes the turn but also makes the ski "run" towards the next gate.

3. To maximize angulation (edge angle)

"increasing edge angle" As indicated, extending the outside leg increases the distance between the body's center (center of gravity) and the snow surface.

Rather than collapsing while keeping the legs bent, extending the legs and leaning the body inward, much like a lever, causes the ski to stand up deeper and the edge to bite into the snow. This allows for sharp carving without the ski sliding outward, even at high speeds.

Note: A warning against "excessive upper body rotation" which is counterproductive

In the latter half, regarding "Excessive counter-rotation" it refers to the following.

• In situations where you want to extend your outside leg and apply pressure, if your upper body faces too far outward (excessive counter-rotation) or your hips lag, the applied force will not be effectively transmitted to the edge.

• It warns that doing this leads to a loss of speed and a delay in transitioning to the next turn, making it "highly inefficient."