I need advice - telemarkers?

Lacking the kind of pride that should keep me from making a complete fool of myself, I signed up for a race league. I was assured I would not have to wear spandex (ok, i have SOME pride!). Others have told me that this would improve my skiing (the racing, not the spandex). Besides lacking pride, I also lack a shred of competitive spirit. So, really, this is all about learning to ski.
Me: on the "beginner" end of the Intermediate spectrum, getting by on a solid foundation of bad habits reinforced by lack of consequence. Goal: become a shit-hot shralper who makes boys cry and burn their skis in frustration. Slight exaggeration, but I would like to fit into the "average" of the ski team, rather than being there strictly for others' comic amusement.
Advice?
Suggested drills?
Ski selection? (I have access to a bit of everything, but thought my Karhu Betty 166s would be the best for me.)
Equipment? (i have helmet, kneepads -- anything else?)
Thanks in advance!

Hi Volcanogrrrrrrrrrrl,

Mmmm, race league -- I've often thought about joining up.  Sounds fun...

I'm no expert, but I can get down without falling 83.6% of the time My advice, as a non-racer and largely self-taught tele skier:

Equipment wise, I'd find a pair of beater poles in your length -- if you're going to push yourself, you should be falling.  Don't want to snap a pole.  For skis, if you can get a hold of something fairly skinny (70s to low 80s) you'll be able to get the edges in more easily.  I'd go for a stiffer ski as well, if you're not on one already (don't know the Betty at all).  I found that the switch to a stiffer ski, particularly one that was stiffer in the tail, had me pushing myself forward more and staying on top of my skis to keep them in control.  You get spanked a lot more quickly if you get in the back seat, but it's a good reminder.

Sooo, having said that -- think about staying forward as you're skiing.  Don't lean forward from the waist, but rather push your hips forward, to bring your whole center of mass with you, but retain your balance. 

Keep your upper body (which is now farther forward) facing downhill all the time -- your skis and legs are twisting and turning underneath you, extending and collapsing while your body stays relatively still.

Try to keep a tighter stance -- knee of the trailing ski shouldn't be farther back than the heel of the lead ski.

To get the edges in, think about hip angulation -- drop your inside hip toward the snow, while trying to keep your upper body "upright" and facing down the fall line.  Really exaggerate it and you'll feel the difference quickly.

If you can manage to keep your mind on one of those each time you ski, you'll be rocking.  Good luck!  If you're up at Snoq during the weeknights at all, shoot me a PM -- my wife and I are often up there with our friends and it'd be fun to take a few runs with you.

Go to Tele Tips and watch the video "EJ's Back". When his 'real' leg is back you can't even tell he's an amputee. I've been telling myself the importance of the back foot for about 12 years, but this REALLY drove it home...it's all about the BACK FOOT....at least for me, coming from an Alpine background that was the hardest thing to learn.

narrower skis, as said above.

I have an interesting set up ski specific plyometrics that I can send over, more conditioning then drills, if you like PM me.

Volcanogrrl!

I'm thinking of joining you all later this weekend it that thing is still happening!

My advice:

I would stick with the skis you currently have. Experiment with the two sets you have.

If anything I would upgrade your boots. After that the next upgrade would be bindings. In your case these will do the greatest to enhance comfort and performance. Last comes the skis.

I disagree with going stiffer: Case in point: when shape skis first came out, world class racers were winning by SECONDS on the K2 Four, one of the softer skis I've encountered. The more comfortable and stable you are on your current boards, the faster more kick-ass you will be. When you start to win those races and begin to notice your skis doing all kinds of funny stuff you don't want them to do, then you will have enough knowledge from your own experience to know what kind of ski to upgrade to.

Body armour. Helmet.

SaveGondor! C'Mon down!! If conditions settle down a bit I'm also up for a little touring Monday or so. This will involve a much, much smaller backpack.
Was thinking I'd post the shindig on here, so I will.
And thanks for the info -- thank you all for your input!

As an ex alpine racer and level 3 telemark instructor, I would not recommend racing itself to improve your skiing. However skiing with people who are good racers is a good idea. Taking lessons from some of the famous Tele instructors is worth it too. Like Steve Hindman, or Stan Aunan, or Don Portman to name some of the old gurus. Look for a tele instructor who is at least a level 3, and maybe was on the Nordic Demo team for PSIA. I spent three years skiing on Thursday nights at Park City with Jimmy Ludlow, at that time a US Tele racing team member. Worth every minute of it.
If you ski fast without proper instruction, all you will do is reinforce bad stance and habits. I am now retired but I still pay good money to take clinics from the greats. It is always worth it.
If you sign up to teach for the Mountaineers, you can get in on some awesome clinics for cheap.
Nonetheless skiing fast is sure fun.
Jane