4 ways to use Protern.io's compare runs to improve your alpine ski training

Comparing runs is one of the most powerful features in Protern. Because the sensor captures thousands of data points per run, athletes and coaches have access to detailed information across the entire course.

Protern makes it simple to gain new insights from alpine skiing timing data by combining section times, speed, and distance-based comparison inside one view.

The compare function is an easy-to-understand visual method to access run insights. You can compare up to 8 runs at a time, runs from the same athlete, or runs from multiple athletes in your quantriq.

This is a practical example of clear performance comparison, where coaches and athletes can see exactly where time was gained or lost.

We have put together four ways to use the compare runs feature to train smarter and improve faster.

https://youtu.be/AAd8ImlIQfI

1. Compare the fastest of the day

This is the most straight-forward use of the compare tool and also a good place to start.

Select the fastest run recorded, and up to 2 to 3 other runs. While you can compare up to 8 runs, we recommend selecting fewer as it is easier to see what is going on. You can drag the slider back and forth to see how the other runs lose time to the fastest run.

This method gives you a quick, high-level view of where on the course time is being gained or lost.

2. Focus on specific sections of the course

The power of Protern is that it has information on every section of the course that can be reviewed at any time.

Races are often won or lost in a specific section. With Protern you can use the compare runs tool to focus on just the start, zoom in on a particular pitch, or analyze a technical section of the course.

To get additional insights, try switching the graph to “Distance” to see exactly how fast each skier was at the same point on the course.

If you are combining this with video, see how video and GPS athlete data can be linked together for deeper review.

3. Involve the athlete

Our goal is for athletes to improve faster. The faster the feedback to the athlete, the better.

With Protern you can grant an athlete access to their data so they can compare their own runs on their phone while riding back up the lift. Alternatively, a coach can review the run with several athletes so they can see where everyone is gaining or losing time on the course.

This approach works best when paired with a simple and repeatable ski analysis workflow so athletes know exactly what to review after each run.

4. Experiment on the hill

All the run data is available immediately after synchronizing the sensor. Immediate access to information means athletes can try different approaches and see the impact during a single training session.

An individual athlete can experiment with a different line into a flat section and compare it to their previous run. A group of similarly skilled athletes can each try a different line to more quickly identify the most effective approach.

Try comparing runs yourself

If you want to see how comparison works in practice, start with How Protern Works to understand the overall capture and review process.

If you are ready to apply this in your own training environment, review Pricing and Access or talk to us.