# Olympic Downhill Race: Why use poles? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 13, 2006, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288 "2006-02-13T16:35:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/1 "2006-02-13T16:35:34Z")
I was watching the men’s Downhill last night, and I didn’t see one pole plant. Other than at the start, what use are the poles in this event? They’re either tucked or flailing out at the sides. Why not chuck them right after the start? The only thing that seemed to makes sense is that they somehow help with balance… similiar to how a cheetah uses it’s tail to facilitate quick changes in direction during a sprint. ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/2 "2006-02-13T16:58:44Z")
Yes, even as just a novice skier myself, I can still testify to their usefulness in increasing my angular momentum in a turn. One might as well tell the high-wire artist that he could get across the ravine much quicker without his long pole. ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/3 "2006-02-13T17:39:55Z")
Ski poles don’t do much to slow you down, so there’s no real reason to get rid of them. They’re bent to conform to the body in the egg-shell position, so wind resistance isn’t an issue. Ski poles are useful for timing turns, even if they don’t actually stick in the ground, and I’m quite sure comfort is a big issue as well. I grew up on skis; YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/4 "2006-02-13T17:49:16Z")
I’m not sure they have enough mass or length to make significant angular momentum. I just think if they all dumped the poles, you’d have to either send someone down slope to retrieve them or let the last guy steer his way around several dozen discarded poles. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/5 "2006-02-13T18:06:30Z")
Poles are pretty good at it, that’s why. The Swiss and the Scandinavians are even better. Sailboat ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/6 "2006-02-13T18:11:34Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I’m not sure they have enough mass or length to make significant angular momentum. Nowadays, no they wouldn’t; one’s arms would have a greater effect in terms of that. I don’t know how to articulate something like this very well: using the poles just makes it easier. One doesn’t _need_ them, in some sense, for any type of skiing, really. What they do is help with timing, posture, & technique, and after spending a lifetime w/ them, it’s very uncomfortable to not use them. If they were a significant hinderance, they might be jettisoned; however, they aren’t a hinderance. There’s no reason to dump them. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/7 "2006-02-13T18:24:02Z")
Here would be a related question: Is a skier allowed to race with no poles or can s/he finish the race after losing a pole on the run? ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/8 "2006-02-13T18:26:37Z")
I thought even a light pole would help lower one’s center of gravity and hence maintain one’s balance. The physics to prove or disprove this is beyond my current abilities. However in lieu of a rule requiring use of ski poles their continued use would tend to prove my hypothesis. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/9 "2006-02-13T18:34:20Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > I was watching the men’s Downhill last night, and I didn’t see one pole plant. Other than at the start, what use are the poles in this event? They’re either tucked or flailing out at the sides. Why not chuck them right after the start? The only thing that seemed to makes sense is that they somehow help with balance… similiar to how a cheetah uses it’s tail to facilitate quick changes in direction during a sprint. I think it’s for emergency balance/misstep recovery. If you have some random misstep hurtling downhill at 70MPH, a well-place swing or plant of the pole can make the difference between a bronze medal and a lifetime on a ventilator. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/10 "2006-02-13T18:38:26Z")
> [@Brain Wreck](#): > > I think it’s for emergency balance/misstep recovery. If you have some random misstep hurtling downhill at 70MPH, a well-place swing or plant of the pole can make the difference between a bronze medal and a lifetime on a ventilator. But can you actually plant a pole at 70 mph? It seems all that would accomplish would be to rip the pole out of your hand. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/11 "2006-02-13T18:43:07Z")
> [@BobT](#): > > Here would be a related question: > > Is a skier allowed to race with no poles or can s/he finish the race after losing a pole on the run? I had a look at the FIS (Fédération Internationale de Ski) rules. [http://www.fis-ski.com/data/document/equipment0506.pdf](http://www.fis-ski.com/data/document/equipment0506.pdf)]They say (NB PDF file) : > [@](#): > > The ski pole is a sports article whose function should aid the skier, facilitate balance and, if necessary, enable stopping. The national and international guidelines and norms establish the minimum requirements for ski pole tips, grips, shaft, baskets, straps, length, etc. Due to risk of injury, metal baskets are not permitted. Very helpful :rolleyes: But I don’t believe you _have_ to have them. AFAIK you are not penalised for dropping them. (I have competed in a few slalom and GS races and never saw anyone DQd for this.) As for why you need them - well, from my point of view, even if you don’t actually _use_ them, they are nice to have. If you catch an edge or go off balance, you can jab out a pole and gain vital support, quite apart from the use to initiate turns etc. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/12 "2006-02-13T18:44:14Z")
Oh darn. Must preview. [That PDF link in full.](http://www.fis-ski.com/data/document/equipment0506.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/13 "2006-02-13T18:50:50Z")
Also, don’t they use them to push off at the start of the race? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/14 "2006-02-13T18:56:24Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Also, don’t they use them to push off at the start of the race? Yeah, I said that in the OP. The reason that made me think if this question was the one skiier I was watching (couldn’t remember his name) who lost his grip on his pole earlie on, and lost some time having to regrip it. Then I thought-- sheesh, you’re not even using the damn things, get rid of them! I guess I can understand the “emergency situation” thing, but snowboarders get along just fine without them. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/15 "2006-02-13T19:19:49Z")
They wouldn’t work on a snowboard, either you’d have to have you’re whole body twisted or they’d wind up either infront of the board (and the other behind) or planted IN/ON the board. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/16 "2006-02-13T19:54:25Z")
> [@Joey P](#): > > They wouldn’t work on a snowboard, either you’d have to have you’re whole body twisted or they’d wind up either infront of the board (and the other behind) or planted IN/ON the board. But some other balancing mechanism could be envisioned if poles don’t work. Now, I’ve done plenty of skiing and snowbaording recreationally, I can see the definite benefit for ski poles in that world. But again, none of the explanations seem to make sense. Has anyone ever competed without poles? Given the lengths to which aerodynamics are considered, there has to be a very good reason. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/17 "2006-02-13T20:12:08Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > Yeah, I said that in the OP. > > The reason that made me think if this question was the one skiier I was watching (couldn’t remember his name) who lost his grip on his pole earlie on, and lost some time having to regrip it. Then I thought-- sheesh, you’re not even using the damn things, get rid of them! > > I guess I can understand the “emergency situation” thing, but snowboarders get along just fine without them. That’s a good point, to which I would say snowboarders have both feet fixed on the board, which means that in a wipeout they have less chance of independent leg torsion or taking a nice long tumble down the slope. One _thump_ and it’s all over, for better or for worse. Also… snowboarders generally don’t go as fast as competitive downhill skiiers, do they? ---
**Author:** ![YaWanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/bbce88/32.png) [@YaWanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaWanna)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/18 "2006-02-13T20:24:18Z")
I’m not a very good skier, but I could see several times Sunday where the skier took the wrong line on part of the course & went flying too high & a bit out of control - you could **see** them flailing their arms & poles to try to regain balance - and it worked. I knew exactly what they were doing - I get out of control easily & the poles do help, exactly as **SentientMeat** points out, like a tightrope walker’s pole helps him. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/19 "2006-02-13T20:33:59Z")
> [@YaWanna](#): > > I’m not a very good skier, but I could see several times Sunday where the skier took the wrong line on part of the course & went flying too high & a bit out of control - you could **see** them flailing their arms & poles to try to regain balance - and it worked. I knew exactly what they were doing - I get out of control easily & the poles do help, exactly as **SentientMeat** points out, like a tightrope walker’s pole helps him. But how much do the poles, as opposed to the arms, have to do with this? Modern poles weigh next to nothing-- I’ve never heard of poles being rejected for being too light. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2006, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288/20 "2006-02-13T20:37:18Z")
Right. Tightrope walkers use long and heavy poles to help them balance. The modern ski pole would seem scarcely more effective than a fly swatter to a tightrope walker. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olympic-downhill-race-why-use-poles/344288.md?page=2)