Olympic Skier Mac Forehand on the Trick that Could Win Him Gold: "It's Do or Die"
When it comes to freestyle skiing's most daunting tricks, Mac Forehand knows what it takes to land them perfectly. The 27-year-old skier from California is widely regarded as a gold-medal favorite at the upcoming Olympics, and for good reason.
For Forehand, the key to success lies in his ability to break down complex tricks into smaller, manageable parts. "I really break a trick down in my mind beforehand," he explains. "What am I doing in the first flip? What am I doing in the second one? What am I doing in the third one?" By mentally rehearsing each component of the trick, Forehand can ensure that every detail is executed flawlessly.
One such trick that has Forehand feeling confident about his chances at gold is the triple cork. This 3-trick sequence requires Forehand to "go blind" for a split second, trusting that he'll be able to execute the necessary rotations and land safely on both feet.
"It's terrifying," Forehand admits. "You just don't know what's happening. You don't really know what's up and what's down." However, by focusing on his body positioning, grabs, and air awareness, Forehand is able to trust in his abilities and execute the trick with ease.
The success of this trick relies heavily on a number of variables, including takeoff speed, spin, and grab timing. "If my takeoff isn't good, then I can't do it," Forehand notes. "If I miss my grab, I can't do it." With so many potential pitfalls, even the slightest miscalculation can result in a disastrous landing.
According to Forehand, the key to success lies in finding that perfect balance between patience and power. "Your takeoff is about getting the right power: how much spin and flip you're getting, and your positioning of your body," he explains. "If you rush it, you'll end up going early."
With the Olympics just around the corner, Forehand feels a sense of confidence in his abilities. "I feel a lot more confident in my skiing," he says with a smile. Will this newfound confidence carry him to gold? Only time will tell.
When it comes to freestyle skiing's most daunting tricks, Mac Forehand knows what it takes to land them perfectly. The 27-year-old skier from California is widely regarded as a gold-medal favorite at the upcoming Olympics, and for good reason.
For Forehand, the key to success lies in his ability to break down complex tricks into smaller, manageable parts. "I really break a trick down in my mind beforehand," he explains. "What am I doing in the first flip? What am I doing in the second one? What am I doing in the third one?" By mentally rehearsing each component of the trick, Forehand can ensure that every detail is executed flawlessly.
One such trick that has Forehand feeling confident about his chances at gold is the triple cork. This 3-trick sequence requires Forehand to "go blind" for a split second, trusting that he'll be able to execute the necessary rotations and land safely on both feet.
"It's terrifying," Forehand admits. "You just don't know what's happening. You don't really know what's up and what's down." However, by focusing on his body positioning, grabs, and air awareness, Forehand is able to trust in his abilities and execute the trick with ease.
The success of this trick relies heavily on a number of variables, including takeoff speed, spin, and grab timing. "If my takeoff isn't good, then I can't do it," Forehand notes. "If I miss my grab, I can't do it." With so many potential pitfalls, even the slightest miscalculation can result in a disastrous landing.
According to Forehand, the key to success lies in finding that perfect balance between patience and power. "Your takeoff is about getting the right power: how much spin and flip you're getting, and your positioning of your body," he explains. "If you rush it, you'll end up going early."
With the Olympics just around the corner, Forehand feels a sense of confidence in his abilities. "I feel a lot more confident in my skiing," he says with a smile. Will this newfound confidence carry him to gold? Only time will tell.