Why Olympic skiers close their eyes, sway and move before racing - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

by Sam Farmer

February 14, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Olympic skiers often close their eyes and sway before racing as part of a critical pre-race visualization routine that helps them mentally map out the course turn by turn. This practice is particularly common in speed disciplines like downhill and super-G, where athletes need to memorize the layout, angles, snow conditions, and gate placements. U.S. downhill racer Sam Morse explained how skiers inspect the course, sometimes timing their inspections with a watch, and use data or imagery to prepare for their runs. The visualization process varies among skiers. Some rely heavily on mental imagery, moving their hands as if skiing through each turn, while others prefer measurable data like distances between gates and snow angles. For example, A.J. Hurt, a member of the U.S. women’s team, finds data more helpful than imagery, using it to plan her route, though she acknowledges that overthinking can sometimes hinder performance in technical events like slalom or giant slalom. Her teammate Nina O’Brien balances preparation with intuition, emphasizing the importance of maintaining flow and athleticism while skiing. Inspection and visualization are just part of the process. Skiers also physically rehearse their runs, engaging their core and legs to simulate the movement and build muscle memory. This combination of mental and physical preparation helps them adapt to unpredictable factors like weather and snow conditions, which can drastically change the course from one run to the next. This article highlights how sports psychology plays a vital role in high-level competition. For readers interested in peak performance, it offers insights into the strategies elite athletes use to stay ahead—whether through detailed data analysis or immersive mental rehearsal. Understanding these techniques not only sheds light on Olympic skiing but also provides lessons for anyone looking to improve their own athletic or professional skills.

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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/14/2026