the physics behind aerial skiing

February 3, 2010 5:57 PM

Double Full Full Full, annotated (NYT video, reg REq'd) U.S. Olympic Team aerial skier Ryan St. Onge and a science reporter describe via video the physics going on as he executes a triple backflip with four twists. Also, the snowboard halfpipe. (Don't ask me why a triple backflip with four twists is called a "double full full full")
posted by planetkyoto (15 comments total)

That's nuts. It's completely amazing that he can figure out where he is and spot a landing. These are good graphics, too.
posted by carter at 7:06 PM on February 3, 2010

There are two kinds of people in this world. The kind of people who can perform this sort of maneuver on feel, and cybernetic organisms who plan to take over the world with their superior arial physics abilities.
posted by ThusSpakeZarathustra at 7:28 PM on February 3, 2010

As best as I understand the naming:

Full: 1 Full Twist with 1 Full Flip
Full Full: as above, but twice
Double full: one full flip with 2 twists.

So a Double Full Full Full is a flip with 2 twists followed by two more full flips with full twists, for 3 flips and 4 twists total.
posted by empath at 7:44 PM on February 3, 2010 [1 favorite]

also: full full full full full full full.

It's a weird looking word when you see it that many times.
posted by empath at 7:44 PM on February 3, 2010

empath, your explanation is eminently sensible. Go directly to the lodge and grab a bunny and a hot buttered rum.
posted by planetkyoto at 7:55 PM on February 3, 2010

As a Canadian, I read this as a double double, full.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 9:09 PM on February 3, 2010 [1 favorite]

The audio's fine in Firefox 3.6 but the videos are totally herky-jerky - why?
posted by gottabefunky at 10:40 PM on February 3, 2010

I thought luge was a bizarre (if exciting) event, but...doubles luge? Jesus.
posted by gottabefunky at 10:49 PM on February 3, 2010

So a Double Full Full Full is a flip with 2 twists followed by two more full flips with full twists, for 3 flips and 4 twists total.

But what do I get if I order this at Starbucks?

gbf: Video was fine for me. Plugin?
posted by dhartung at 10:59 PM on February 3, 2010

Speaking as a former All-America gymnast, I can say with confidence:

THAT IS INSANE!
posted by Running Sandals at 11:16 PM on February 3, 2010

And here's the other branch of ski jumping insanity. How about 4 spins, 2 flips and taking off and landing backwards?

Bobby Brown Ski Big Air Gold
posted by garethspor at 11:35 PM on February 3, 2010

Why is the best In'n'Out called a Double Double (animal style, I know where that comes from)?
posted by notsnot at 4:09 AM on February 4, 2010

'Don't ask me why a triple backflip with four twists is called a "double full full full"'

Hmmm.
Clicks for 25 minutes of escalating frustration. AHA!
From gymnastics.
Looks like aerial skiing has adopted gymnastics terminology, makes sense now that I know.

So a "double full full full" is a:

Double Full: A gymnastics tumbling skill consisting of a single layout salto (somersault) with two twists.
followed by a
Full: A back somersault with one full twist in the longitudinal axis, usually done in the layout position.
followed by a
Full: A back somersault with one full twist in the longitudinal axis, usually done in the layout position.

Or what empath said without using the word "gymnastics" which would have saved me time but then I couldn't do my AHA! dance.
posted by vapidave at 5:27 AM on February 4, 2010

Very interesting analysis. I kept fretting throughout the explanation that all that thinking about physics and looking pretty for the judges was going to result in a faceplant wipeout of subprime proportions. But no, [spoiler alert] he lands on his feet.
posted by chavenet at 6:15 AM on February 4, 2010

chavenet: a faceplant wipeout of subprime proportions

Totally the name of my next album.
posted by Doofus Magoo at 10:44 AM on February 4, 2010