Daniel Yule made a big mistake in his first race when he thought he had withdrawn from the men's slalom competition at this season's Alpine Ski World Cup. Speaking on television after last weekend's event in Chamonix, France, he said: "I've packed my bags and I'm ready to go back to the hotel. ”
However, his results were only enough to barely make it to the second round. From the last place, the Swiss skier won the entire event. In the 58-year history of the competition, no team has ever won the title from such a low position. This is a testament to Yule's skiing, but also to the non-negligible reality of climate change.
Temperatures in Chamonix rose to 12 degrees Celsius (54 degrees Fahrenheit) that day, well above the average maximum of -1 degree Celsius in February. The rules of the competition stipulate that the second round of slalom skaters will be in reverse order from the first round, which means that the last Yule will play the second round on a full run. In the midday sun, his rival will follow him on a rapidly melting slope that is sliced by those in front of them, and whoever takes the least time in the two rounds will be the winner. "I've been really lucky," Yule said.
slalom skiing requires riders to go around a series of gates as they descend. Therefore, the turn is the decisive factor in the race. When the skier completes the manoeuvre first, just as Yule did in his second turn, they have the option to make a ** turn at each gate. When they do, the pressure of the snowboard creates ruts in the snow. Anyone who followed, to some extent, was forced into these routes, and as these routes deepened, it became difficult for later skiers to follow the routes that suited their style.
Arnaud de Mondenard, head of alpine skiing research at snow sports brand Salomon said the rutting effect was more pronounced and happened faster in warmer weather. On top of that, as the snow melts on the slopes, it forms slush, which makes it more difficult for skiers to turn. Mondenal also stressed that the snow does not melt or compress evenly throughout the track. Judging the stability and texture of the terrain will be a major challenge for the last skier.
On gentle slopes like Chamonix, these are all factors that affect skiers' performance. France's Clement Noel, who was more than two seconds slower than Jule in the second round, falling from first to third, said: "It was really hard at the end. Really, really bumpy. By the time Noel started his second run, the sun had melted the slopes for more than 45 minutes as Yule started his run.
Some have called Yule's performance one of the first examples of climate change disrupting professional sports performance. Mark Maslin, professor of Earth system science at University College London and author of "How to S**e Our Planet," wrote on LinkedIn LinkedIn: "Credit to Christmas, congratulations on his ......."But no one can deny the ...... of what happened hereThe reasons are obvious and painful. ”