The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Hope up the slope
Heli-skiing is set to become big-time sport in Gulmarg once again, writes Kumar Rakesh

Ropeway takes the skiers only up to 13,000 ft. whereas choppers can take them to a height of 17,000 ft Photos: Amin War

There are a few things that excite European skier G. Freder who is in his mid 40s and skiing is one such joy. The thrill of this sport makes him and his friends fly thousands of kilometres, almost every winter, to ski along the adventurous, snow-laden slopes in Gulmarg.

Natural slopes and snow in Gulmarg are the major attractions for foreigners. While many European and North American skiing destinations depend upon artificial methods to create an ideal infrastructure for skiing, Gulmarg, with its natural endowments, has emerged as an obvious choice for serious skiers.

And what about heli-skiing? "The more the height and the steeper the slope, the more adventurous and exciting is the skiing experience. Kashmir has every gift of nature that a skier yearns for and I hope to enjoy the thrill of heli-skiing here soon," he says.

Heli-skiing has grabbed the attention of many in the Valley as the state government recently went to town about its plans to start it in Gulmarg. Gulmarg is already a popular skiing resort and the government has roped in international expert Sylvain Saudon, called by some as father of extreme skiing, to give a fillip to its plan.

To begin with, heli-skiing in nothing but skiing at towering heights facilitated by helicopters as ropeways can not take skiers so high up. The snow is more in the higher regions and the slopes are potentially steeper and all this gives more thrill to those with a passion for this adventurous sport.

Farooq Khan, the managing director of State Cable Car Corporation, who is among officials collaborating with experts like Saudon, says choppers could take skiers up to a height of 17,000 feet in Gulmarg while the ropeway stops at around 13,000 ft. They have a helipad in place, he says, and it’s all about making some technical adjustments before heli-skiing begins full-time.

He says Gulmarg was a major attraction for heli-skiers in 1980s, before Pak-sponsored-insurgency tore apart the state and this money-spinning sport like almost everything good in the Valley. With normalcy returning to the Valley, foreign skiers are landing here in large numbers making the authorities take measures to revive the sport in the state.

Problems of infrastructure

But a lot of ground needs to be covered as the world has moved on since 1980s while the Valley has begun moving forward only now after years of neglect as far as international standards for this sport are concerned. Khan readily admits that the absence of quality hotels in Gulmarg is a major problem. Adventure lovers who spend a lot to reach Kashmir and book choppers to take them to the required heights would naturally not be satisfied with anything less than international quality. Good restaurants and hotels at reasonable distance, world class guides — it is said overseas skiers know much more about the slopes and the area than the self-appointed experts in Gulmarg — and transport facilities are key to attract big-spending heli-skiers to Gulmarg.

The road ahead

Saudon, who is of Swiss origin, is known to have brought unheard of daredevilry to this adventure sport. He has skied from extreme and unattempted heights. He is said to have skied down from 26,470 ft in Pakistan in 1982, and turned around slopes that had never been attempted before.

A regular visitor to Kashmir for the past 20 years, 73-year-old Saudon’s association with heli-skiing plans of the state government could attract niche class of skiers to the Valley. Though an admirer of Gulmarg’s potential, he has recommended several measures before he could project it before international skiers.

He said a place like Koungdori, 2.5 km gondola ride from Gulmarg, is ideal for heli-skiing but advised laying of a carpet for beginners there so that they could be groomed to the intermediate level. He has also given his thumbs-up to Aparwat, five km from Gulmarg, and asked for developing the ridges.

Many other places besides Gulmarg, like Sonmarg, have heli-skiing potential in the Valley, but the government would like to make a beginning from Gulmarg.

‘T20 can’t hurt Tests’

Wasim Akram, the "Sultan of Swing", is unhappy that India hasn’t included any series against Pakistan in the Futures Tour Programme (FTP) from 2012 to 2020. But he is also happy that in his new role as a coach at the Gatorade Centre for Pace Excellence in New Delhi he can help young Indian fast bowlers to learn some tricks. A. Roy quizzes him on these and other issues

This is your first proper coaching job. How are you looking at it?

It is a great feeling to coach young fast bowlers and that too in India. This is one way I can give back something to the game that made me what I am today. It also comes with lot of responsibilities as I have to shape their future. It is a challenging task.

So what are you going to teach them?

First I have to teach them the concept of fast bowling. It is an art and not just bowling at full speed. I will teach them how to identify a batsman’s weaknesses, especially when they are bowling on flat pitches. I’ll also tell them how to bowl according to a set field and how to swing the new ball and get the best out of the old ball, which the Westerners call reverse swing. I will teach them how to appeal. That is also an art that keeps the umpires under pressure in a legal way.

How long will be your association with the academy?

It is not a full time job. But I will come three to four times in a year and stay here for eight to 10 days during each trip. It will also help to keep a track of their progress over the year.

Do you plan to take up full time coaching job?

Full-time coaching is not my cup of tea. I don’t have the patience it requires. I can just help them.

Is the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) using your services?

I don’t know what’s wrong with the PCB. I am disappointed that they are not using me to groom young fast bowlers. Sohail Tanveer, Umar Gul and Mohammed Aamir came to me and I helped them out. In fact, I have also helped out bowlers of other countries. I have been telling the PCB that I don’t need a job. I can help them free of cost.

What do you think about the future of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Asif?

I think Shoaib’s career is over. He has got into trouble with the selectors and the board. But still the PCB tried to help him out and gave him some opportunities in the one-day series against Australia in Abu Dhabi. Asif has to learn from his mistakes. I also did during my playing days. Asif, probably is one of the best fast bowlers we have in Pakistan, but it will tough for him to make the final cut for the Champions Trophy. He has been out of cricket for a while and will face some serious competition from young fast bowlers like Aamir. Watch out for Aamir, he is going to the next big thing in Pakistan.

We will not see any India-Pakistan series from 2012 to 2020. What do you feel about it?

It has been a harsh decision by the Indian cricket board. The Test series between India and Pakistan is always fun and tough. India-Pakistan is the biggest showpiece even in the subcontinent and is also beneficial for the growth of the game. It is very important for Asia and world cricket that India and Pakistan play together. India-Pakistan series is even bigger than the Ashes and the two countries should play regularly to heal the political bitterness.

Do you think the popularity of Test cricket is declining?

Cricket started with Tests, so how can it end? Every aspiring cricketer in the world wants to play Tests. Twenty20 will take over the 50 overs game, but it can’t hurt Test cricket. But the International Cricket Council (ICC) has to do something with Twenty20 because even cricket boards are running after since it is fetching them millions. Twenty20 is just a phase in international cricket, which will pass soon without harming Tests.

— TWF

Fitness Mantra
Workout diet
Sudha Khurana

Everyone desires to have good health and a fit body in order to lead a good life. But how much physical activity does one need to remain fit?

Regular and moderate amount of physical activity can yield substantial health benefits. Physically active people have lower risk of developing chronic diseases such as the coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis and obesity. Active people also experience an increased sense of wellbeing and are much better equipped to cope with stress.

Exercising is the in thing. But only exercise is not enough. Proper nutrition, too, is a vital component of any fitness regime. Physical activity, performance and recovery from exercise are enhanced by optimal nutrition.

To get the maximum benefit of exercising, one must follow certain rules in maintaining good nutritional status throughout and stay away from habits that may negate the positive effects of a workout.

w Before starting a workout you ought to know your body mass index i.e. the percentage of fat in your body.

w As much as 60 per cent of your daily diet should consist of carbohydrates. A high-carbohydrate diet helps in increasing glycogen stores and enhances endurance. High percentage of carbohydrates may also prevent mental as well as physical fatigue. These dietary carbohydrates should come mainly through complex carbohydrates that provide vitamin B necessary for energy metabolism. Sugar should supply not more than 10 per cent of the total calorie intake everyday.

w Fat intake should not be overly restricted. There is no performance benefit in diet which provides less than 15 per cent of energy from fat.

w You don’t need the protein powders or aminoacid supplements to meet the body’s protein demand. The best sources of protein sources are high quality protein foods like legumes, low-fat diary products, egg white, chicken and fish. Vegetarians can meet their protein requirements through foods derived from plant sources e.g. grams, nuts, beans etc.

w Drink plenty of water before, during and after the workout. Thirst indicates dehydration. During exercise one tends to lose a lot of water by way of perspiration and urination. To replenish moisture, keep sipping water rather than drinking large volumes.

w After a heavy meal wait for a minimum of two hours before starting on the treadmill.

w For more energy while exercising you may have some carbohydrate drinks (four to eight per cent carbohydrate).

w Take some antioxidant vitamins i.e. vitamin C, E and A after your workout. Post exercise the body is low in energy and is, thus, susceptible to attacks from free radicals, excess of which can cause a number of problems. As your immunity is also low for about three hours after a workout, these vitamins act as potent antioxidants and protect the body from exercise related injuries.

w As muscle glycogen (the stored energy molecules) is used the maximum during exercise. Hence, the intake of complex carbohydrates (one or two bananas or two boiled potatoes) along with vitamin B complex after workout and an easily digestible protein shake (milk shake) or a soya isolate shake within 40 minutes of your workout is advisable.

w Never exercise on an empty stomach. Always eat a fruit 15-20 minutes before you start your workout, as it protects you from muscle breakdown. Eat a fruit that has higher water content like an apple, orange, sweet lime, musk melon, watermelon or strawberry as these are low in glucose index rate.

w The rate at which blood sugar increases or decreases depends upon the body’s response to food. So if you have fruits with low glycemic index, it devotes slow and steady release of sugar in the blood stream, which is what you need during your workout.

(The writer is a Consultant Dietician, PGI, Chandigarh)