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I gave Torstein a ride to the club last season and rather than talking about snowboarding, he just wanted to know all about “What speakers I put in my car?”, “What music I listen too?” etc. From that and his videos, it looks like he’s keen to be a producer or DJ on the side.
Haha, nice! I hung out with Palmer quite a bit at the 1996 MTB Worlds, and I remember just once I (rather eagerly) mentioned snowboarding, and he gave me this look like “Dude, seriously?”. Awkward - but to him I think it was like while he was racing bikes he was a pro bike racer, NOT a pro snowboarder.
Maybe it’s common that the bigger they get in their actual field of expertise, the more they want to be something else?
And yeah mate, music’s universal - as are all the various forms of ‘partying’.
I know he wears the tight cloths for aerodynamic reasons . . .
Seriously, that’s legit? If so, that actually makes it a lot less gay. Thanks for the info.
Yeah they measured it on “Sports Science” or what ever the show is called.
*Edit* They measured the difference his drop ins make etc.
Everyone said he’s not going fast enough to make a difference but the show proved it reduces drag by 20%. I just re-watched it remember what it said.
It’s like a less lame cat suit
I won’t post it unless you really want to see it. The commentator makes me want to see what a glock barrel tastes like.
I would wear one if I was him, but I don’t do half pipe comps, so screw that. But I kinda wish they would ban fitted clothes for Half Pipe, just like they did in Boarder Cross. Then it doesn’t have to be a choice of look good or go faster.
Haha! That’s rad! Funny coincidence too, as I just mentioned Palmer (he spearheaded the change from downhill MTBers wearing lycra skinsuits to wearing Motocross inspired gear). In some ways the two Shauns are similar, but in others they’re poles apart.
Credit where credit’s due I reckon - if SW is willing to endure ridicule just to boost higher, that’s kinda cool. Still, NOTHING excuses leopard prints.
Yeah the plain black actually looks ok. The leopard print… no.
I think I remember reading an interview somewhere where Shaun said he wears it because that’s what he likes to wear off the snow not because of aerodynamic reasons (even though that’s an unintentional bonus). And here’s the video of sport science
Uh. Yeah that’s the one. I hate listening to a commentator who doesn’t actually do the sport.
It’s funny too because it shows really badly.
He’s says “Shaun uses pumping which is a similar motion to using a swing” Thanks Wikipedia.
Then says “Shaun pumps by squatting down as he comes towards the middle of the pipe” Pffffft hahaha, you chose the wrong clip buddy. That was Shaun trying to recover after a rough landing. Pumping is the exact opposite of what you said.
Also at the start he says
“Shaun takes a straighter line than other riders towards the pipe. This reduces friction which increases speeeeed”.
Oh my god, do you really think that the other pros don’t know that?
They choose to turn more so they are going a little slower. Simply so they can drop in and do their first hit at a height they are comfortable with, so it looks good and they don’t flail.
I can just see Louie Vito saying “What? You can go faster by going straight? Oh man I’m totally going to do that next time”.
Hahah yeah. Regarding Louie, I wish he would up his amplitude on his runs. He has all the tricks but the lack of amplitude is costing him.
Btw, I saw this old poster in a corner store in Gwandalan. I wanted to take a picture so bad, but knew I couldn’t explain it to the shop owner who didn’t speak much english lol. Glad I could find it on the net.
It sure is.
Yeah, that used to be a TV commercial back in the day!!!!!
I will be having a lot of solo gaytimes over the coming months…
I can just see Louie Vito saying “What? You can go faster by going straight? Oh man I’m totally going to do that next time”.
Does the name Jayson Onley ring a bell? He was the first Aussie pro rider to become a ‘star’, earning the nickname ‘Hollywood” in the process. I spent a few weeks riding OS with him and I have to say, when he was in self-promoting, marketable pro snowboarder mode, he was a total dick - but out of the spotlight he’s a really nice guy. Perhaps SW is a bit like that too? (though Jay never sold scooters)
Haha I know Jayson quite well. Haven’t seen him in a few years, but yeah, super nice guy! Would you be disappointed if I told you he turned to skiing in recent years? (no joke).
Didn’t Jay start off skiing originally? I bumped into him at the Rose Bay shops a while back and I think he mentioned something about skiing - can’t remember. I’m just grateful that his desired career as a white rapper never took off, haha.
Any idea if he’ll be commentating Olympic snowboarding for Aussie TV again?
I think you may be right about the skiing thing. Can’t remember for sure. But I know he turned back in recent years.
No idea about the commentating. Haven’t seen him in at least two years or so.