2nd Annual Radar Speed-Trap Day ! !

**bad_roo** · 03-29-2004, 11:43 AM

OK - an admission. That first speed was achieved on 210cm GS skis. But a figure halfway between those two would be possible on something like a Volkl G4 and remember those are mean speeds.

**iceman** · 03-29-2004, 11:48 AM

By my calculations you should have vaporised.

Blurred Elevens · 03-29-2004, 12:01 PM

Originally posted by bad_roo
900m track, standing start, 26 seconds to finish. You do the math.

Did it in 31 seconds on a pair of friggin' Motherships switch without even tucking this January...

Direct looker's left of draglift.

Bad_Roo-So sick right now....caw!

**CaddyDaddy77** · 03-29-2004, 12:35 PM

Really curious to see posted times.

Been up to 78mph in a suit and on 223's, faster, yes it's possible give conditions and length of the track. 81mph on g-4's, possible,yes, but not likely.

Not doubting ability, just accuracy.

**Superstar Punani** · 03-29-2004, 01:02 PM

Originally posted by Dantheman
It was socked in and snowing there today (again ) so I'm guessing it didn't go down. However, altachic skied witha friends GPS the other day and topped out at 81 mph

[obscure ski porn quote]
Just because Zurbriggen can handle a downhill course at 80 miles an hour doesn't mean that I can. If you don't know your ability, and don't stick to that ability, then there's not much we can do for you.

**Buzzworthy** · 03-29-2004, 01:16 PM

Originally posted by elesquiador
That is a good point. GPS can accurately detect changes in elevation, but they need to have a stronger satellite signal than they need for a 2-D position. I don't know if GPS figures that in when it calculates speed, but if it does not it would probably give you a slightly slower readout then your actual speed since the total distance traveled would be a little longer than the horizontal distance traveled.

Gotta chime in here before I read the rest.

GPS devices are VERY different. One could give you 2-D fixes, while others have the ability yo get 3-D Fixes (vertical too).

Some have Differential GPS (realtime more accurate) and some do not (10 meter autonoumous accuraccy).

TO get the best readings, you want to maximize the number of satelites you are receiving and get your PDOP value to a minuimum. You need a minimum of 4 satellites to get the best readings for this type of data acquisition.

I would need to see/know what you are using as a GPS unit to see what it is capable of (accuracy, channels,....). I am in the business and have been taking classes on GPS through work.

I think the GPS handheld can give you a very good estimate of what your speed is, but depending on how many satellites you pick up and lose on the way down (trees, mountains obstructing satelite angle), the readings CAN go all over the place.

Also, you have to let the GPS unit aquire an "Almanac" before taking readings for the most accurate data. This Almanac takes about 12.5 to 15 minutes of setting it out and turning it on to receive the "health of the satellites, Satellite Clock corrections, delay parameters and so on". Signal is also affected by your lattitude and Long. depending on what type of signal your are getting (WAAS, Satellite DPGS, Autonomous,....)

Long story short, these are good estimates I feel. Obviously a radar gun is the best way and most accurate.

AND Altachic can ski extremely fast. Trying to keep up with her on the groomers at Soli was impossible on the snowboard, and I do know how to keep speed. My eyes were watering thru my goggles big time and I felt like I was going the fastest I have ever gone. Fun as hell trying to keep up with "some Blonde chic in ponytails". :P

Bottom line, she hauls ass.

Radar results will show all.

And someone mentioned the GPS offset deal the GOVT had over GPS: That was dumped in 2000 or around. You can get the SAME accuracy now as the govt.

Now to read on.

**powderhound** · 03-29-2004, 01:20 PM

i have a GPS with 3D navigation, i've used in a car and it is very accurate(even on hills), but i don't know if i could concentrate on it hauling ass on skis.

**Buzzworthy** · 03-29-2004, 01:35 PM

Originally posted by powderhound
i have a GPS with 3D navigation, i've used in a car and it is very accurate(even on hills), but i don't know if i could concentrate on it hauling ass on skis.

Yeah, that is the hard part for sure.

**brownmonkey** · 03-29-2004, 03:03 PM

I realise I'm late to the party, but...

How much difference do you think (drag, etc) you'd go by ditching the ski wear & going butt naked (shaved body hair, obviously)?

I'm thinking my top speed would drop to about 5-6MPH.

**altachic** · 03-29-2004, 03:05 PM

I'll be happy if i reach 70mph...I'd be stoked. That's all i'm going to say for now.

**iceman** · 03-29-2004, 03:08 PM

Originally posted by brownmonkey
How much difference do you think (drag, etc) you'd go by ditching the ski wear & going butt naked (shaved body hair, obviously)?

I'm thinking my top speed would drop to about 5-6MPH.

But think how much faster everyone else on the mountain would go, trying to get away from you.

**MacDaddy** · 03-29-2004, 03:17 PM

Originally posted by altachic
I'll be happy if i reach 70mph...I'd be stoked. That's all i'm going to say for now.

Naked?

**altachic** · 03-29-2004, 03:25 PM

Hmmmmmm....that could be an option
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if dantheman was the only one around.

**InspectorGadget** · 03-29-2004, 03:51 PM

I'm bringing my 218 downhills and my 178 AX4's . . . . I will be fully dressed.

I'll wait patiently for the Altachic video to surface wink-wink

**Dexter Rutecki** · 03-29-2004, 06:48 PM

Originally posted by bad_roo
So where do speed skiers who also have the wax, the skis, the snow and the speed suit get an extra 75mph from? I know. It's all down to the polystyrene calf spoilers and the helmets.

Could it be because they're not making any turns? Just could it?

And I wasn't talking about sections of the course where they don't turn? Never seen a DH race?? It's called a gliding section.
As for the speed you think you achieved, I'd go back and check the math...

**Red Baron** · 03-29-2004, 06:55 PM

Ok, if you do this early enough in the morning on Saturday (read: before noon - since I have to be at work at 2pm) I'll bring the camera out and videotape the carnage for posterity - positioned right next to the radar gun...

Then we'll post it here for all to enjoy... and we'll be able to answer the question - was that boom from avalanche control, or Altachic skiing by...

**boarderline** · 03-29-2004, 07:03 PM

Anyone want to venture a guess on how fast a boarder can go on conventional freeride(non-race) equipment?

My baggy jacket nonwithstanding, I like to mach down groomers and kinda wonder how that translates into MPH.

**Dexter Rutecki** · 03-29-2004, 07:14 PM

Two more things: I never meant to say that I didn't believe anyone, I just wanted to point out that it's not unreasonable to think that 80 mph with 'standard' gear is difficult.

Also, a note to anyone participating: just in case you forget, make sure that DIN is high! Don't think anyone wants to lose a stick going 70+ (or 50 or 60+, for that matter).
If I were running this I'd have a no Marker rule, too.

**Endlessseason** · 03-29-2004, 07:20 PM

Originally posted by Dexter Rutecki
If I were running this I'd have a no Marker rule, too.

Heh.

I second that. I've had broken bones from Marker pre-releases. I'll never ski fast on Markers again.

**Lumpy** · 03-29-2004, 07:20 PM

I've got three fixed GPS driven chartplotters on my boat and one handheld (for watching DVD's in my bunk while the net is out...don't have to get out of the fart sack to see where I'm at). At any given time all four of those units register speeds accurate within a couple of tenths of a mph. They are all farily new units (post-2001). The only significant variance comes when the vessel suddenly builds speed. Once the boat travels at a consistant pace all units settle into pretty much the same groundspeed readout. I think the processor speed must have something to do with how fast it disseminates the signal to the visual screen. I'm an idiot at how they work...I just want them to work in a manner my pea sized processor can understand.

I dunno about anyone else, but if I'm in a tuck on an icy slope looking to hit 80, I'm sure as hell not gonna be staring at a handheld watching my speed fluctuate. Does anyone's unit have a feature that will give them the max speed of a certain programmed trip.

I guess thats another option...program the coordinates of the starting and ending point of the course, set it as a trip or route, and check the elapsed time vs. distance traveled.

Myself, I'll take anyones word on how fast they were going if they do it naked and greased. Cause I sure as hell won't be watching 99% of the participants. Thinking that spandex/lycra spiderweb decorated suits are a better option than a bunch of freshly greased up maggots sporting fresh back/crack/sack waxes maching down some hill on 223's.

EDIT- Pretty sure footage of that won't make it onto any TV station programming in Utah...even if it is on the uber-hip Fox-13!

**Dantheman** · 03-29-2004, 07:21 PM

Originally posted by Dexter Rutecki
And I wasn't talking about sections of the course where they don't turn? Never seen a DH race?? It's called a gliding section.
As for the speed you think you achieved, I'd go back and check the math...

1.) I'm no racer, but aren't gliding sections usually pretty flat?

2.) Not much wrong with Roo's math:

(0.9 kilometers)(0.6214 miles/kilometer) = 0.56 miles
(26 seconds)(1 hour/3600 seconds) = 0.0072 hours
0.56 miles/.0072 hours = 77.6 miles/hour

It's not quite 79mph, but pretty damn close.

edit for lumpy: She wasn't looking at the thing while actually skiing. It stored the highest speed she reached that day and she looked it up later.

**Showtime06** · 03-29-2004, 07:23 PM

why the no marker rule?? and what is it?

**boarderline** · 03-29-2004, 07:27 PM

Originally posted by dipstik
and you are exempt from rule number 1 because....?

Anyway, lets clarify here.

I never claimed to be smart, I just claimed I wasn't stupid. There's a difference.

And yes they scaled the SAT's, by 100 points, so yippe for you. Seeing as you beat me by 200 points, and then with the scaling of the SAT by 100 points, you scored over a 1560. That's damn impressive.

As I was saying about clarification, this shouldn't be a "im better than you/ im smarter than you" argument, I didn't mean it to be that.
Also, it's not that im questioning AC's skiing abilities, or anyone elses for that matter, what I am questioning is anyone going that fast provided the circumstances that we talked about.

Guys, please remember:

**Lumpy** · 03-29-2004, 07:40 PM

Originally posted by Dantheman
[B]

edit for lumpy: She wasn't looking at the thing while actually skiing. It stored the highest speed she reached that day and she looked it up later.

Good safety feature...I supposed if I read the manual for my handheld I might find I had that feature also...NAHHH too much trouble!