Stack - What's the point?

adamhcaldwell · January 14

We don't always learn things by more reps, more effort, or more coaching.

For me, the search for answers has come from asking a different question. Here is one that made a profound difference in my understanding of this sport, and an even more profound difference in my buoy count and consistency.

So..... Being "stacked' - What is the point?

See if you can answer in two sentences or less - I'll will offer up my perspective on this question next week.

B_S · January 14

By being stacked, you're using your skeletal structure to transfer the load rather than using your muscles to transfer the load.

The_MS · January 14

It puts your body in a position of strength so you don’t fold up like a lawn chair. Try playing tug of war without stack and your in the mud pit

RGilmore · January 14

The skier’s body is a variable link between the applied force and the resulting work.

Proper stack allows the most direct and efficient transfer of energy from the boat, which supplies the force, to the ski, where the work is done.

MISkier · January 14

The stacked body position allows you to resist the force of the boat and the corresponding load while transforming that energy into speed and direction. Proper stacked position also ensures the attitude of the ski is maximized onto the correct/optimal surfaces without the skier prematurely succumbing to physical fatigue and failing to retain the position for the required duration.

Fastguy888 · January 14

Being Stacked is like the super sick way to ski bra' totally helps like your body and mind connect for a far-out feeling, like the boat doesn't own you, but you are one with the boat. Makes the best looking girl on the dock check you out and be all, "woo dudes so Stacked!" Probably land you a million dollar sponsorship with an energy drink company and bunch of people going to stop you at the grocery store and be all "that's the dude that ski's so stacked" probably want you to show your stacked position right there next to the mustard.

Horton · January 14

Being stacked
A ) transfers much of the load from muscles to skeletal structure & puts skier in a stable athletic stance
B ) transfers load forward on the ski
C ) puts the handle as close as possible ro the skiers COM

jcamp · January 14

Being in a stacked position allows you to more efficiently gain on the boat.

Bruce_Butterfield · January 14

"Stacked" simply allows a skier to use his body as a lever more so than brute strength.

How any given skier uses his stack is another story. A perfect stack leaning back and putting the brakes on is obviously bad. Finding the sweet spot with stack and leverage to maximize acceleration is the elusive goal.

Gloersen · January 14

An effective stack maximizes the ski’s distance from the handle (under the line obvious).
The greater the moment arm imparted by the ski, the greater the torque; thus angular acceleration.

skialex · January 14

Also Better stack lessen the chance of an OTF... which is a good thing, for your health and skiing life..

Andre · January 14

All of the above!
What do i win?

BobF · January 14

I also like to think that a proper stack guarantees that your weight (and/or the boat's energy) is centered on the ski's sweet spot, allowing it to work as designed.

lpskier · January 14

A stacked skier looks great in a bathing suit?

MDB1056 · January 15

Provides proper alignment required for energy transfer for efficient skiing.

Clydesdale · January 15

Nothing to add but I want to ski with @Fastguy888 and Spicoli from “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”.

ozski · January 15

If you apply some discipline and do this one "correct thing" at the end of the turn then a sequence of events pretty much just happen as a consequence of that one thing. If you don't do the "correct thing" you will spend your life wondering how the hell good skiers run short line.

ballsohard · January 15

I heard a rumour that if you ever question the importance of being stacked @Horton will appear at the end of your pass in scuba gear and will pull you under.

OTF · January 15

@ballsohard don’t worry about @horton, he don’t have time for that he’s coloring and building with blocks now.

Horton · January 15

@ballsohard is you want to ski like a kook with your ass hanging off the back of the ski it does not hurt me.

@otf things are changing around here. My job as a 1st grade teacher is coming to an end

BG1 · January 15

What’s the point? Leverage.

6balls · January 15

One important tool in a box full of 'em. Must be used with other tools and be properly applied to contribute to successful skiing.

skispray · January 16

I think these answers that reference acceleration are right. It seems like when you are truly stacked it's akin to the idea that when sprinting you want to be leaning forward as much as possible without falling over. The idea is to be leaning forward to the maximum extent possible without "outrunning" your legs, so that your legs moving forward are all that's preventing you from falling forward onto your face. This is the action that will achieve maximum forward speed. Likewise, in slalom it seems like you want the connection to the boat and your body position to be "ahead" of the ski so that the ski is always trying to accelerate in order to get underneath you. If you can get into that sweet spot where the ski is wanting to accelerate to catch up to you but you are positioned so it isn't catching up to you until centerline, then you will generate the maximum acceleration possible and it will be along the path of the handle. At the end of the day it seems like it's about generating as much speed in the right direction as you can, so that you generate the most centrifugal force possible to whip you up on the boat.

OTF · January 16

@horton you get fired because you won’t teach to count past 6? Seems like a good dad to me

pregom · January 16

A good stacked position is what allows a skier to get the maximum mechanical advantage from the boat pull. Good stack - you convert pull into cross-course speed. Bad stack - you end with a nasty OTF fall. If I could only learn how to do this properly...