'l'oeuf Et Moi'

When France's Jean Vuarnet flashed across the finish line at the bottom of Squaw Peak to win the men's downhill, the word was soon out: Vuarnet had a secret weapon, a new metal ski. But he had another sp�cialit�, less obvious but not less important, which helped him get his gold medal. It was a streamlined crouch which Jean calls his profile d'un oeuf (egg position), because of the shape his upper body assumes as he hunkers down over his skis. Vuarnet's crouch, good in any downhill race, was perfect for the Squaw Valley course, which has a long, flat run-out near the bottom where the other racers had trouble maintaining their speed and where Vuarnet saved the .6 second that gave him the victory: "To go fast on the hill is nothing. You make your time on the flat; and there my speed position was best."

Common mistakes by other racers are imitated above by Vuarnet. Skier at left has head in good position; but stiff knees force his rear end too high. Skier at right raises his head too far, so that helmet pokes up above perfect circle, thus increasing air resistance. Long-legged racers have most trouble curling into the correct position, Vuarnet explains. "But it is really easy for me. I am quite short in the legs and longer above the waist."

American mistake is holding feet too close together. This cuts down on speed by tipping skis onto outside edges, also tends to cramp thighs so skier has less spring going over bumps.

Head-On view shows Vuarnet's head, shoulders, arms, hands curled into tight circle. "Legs are spread for comfort and to let the air through. The skis must lie flat upon the snow, both for speed and for stability."

Egg position puts upper part of the body in shape of streamlined shell to lessen wind resistance during 75-mph plunge down mountain. "For this position," says Vuarnet, "the back must be parallel with the skis, the head tucked well down on the chest, the hands held high and in front of the chin. Do not lower the hands, or they will scoop air over the forearms and into the chest."

Crucial moment in downhill came where course crossed two large bumps called Double Trouble, then plunged down steep pitch beyond. Here, many racers straightened up or tried to jump over the bumps. "But," said Vuarnet, "I calculated that my speed would carry me over both bumps without my having to move a muscle." Vuarnet was right. Holding his speed position, he shot over the bumps, leaning forward slightly as he landed to compensate for the steep pitch beyond.