INTRODUCT1ON: The physical and physiological predictors of performance in adult alpine skiing competitors have been well studied (White and Johnson, 1991; Bacharach et al, 1995). It is similar in young skiers, with various studies on the prediction variables (Klika and Malina, 1996), with contradictory conclusion about the validity of the tests for talent detection. Bearing in mind these contradictions, the aim of the present study was to determine the lest most adequate for the detection of sporting talent and prediction of performance in 12-13 year-old skiers. METHOD: 17 spanish boys (12.8 ±0.8 years) were tested one week before the National Championship. Their abilities in dynamic balance and sense of rhythm (hexagon test, course without obstacles), coordination of velocity in movement (5x10 m), explosive force (Sj), explosive-elastic force (CMj) and sporting performance in slalom (S), super giant (SG) y giant (G) were evaluated. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The hexagon test presented the greatest correlation with performance in SuperG, Slalom and Giant Slalom (fable 1). The results in boys agree with Reid et al. (1997) in Juniors. The strongest relation of identity found between the hexagon and the Slalom (0.859, P<0.001) and the disciplines of GS and SG (0.717 y 0.820 respectively, P< 0.001) may be due to the course without obstacles employed where the evaluated specific ability gains a greater characteristic of speed of movements and it does not jeopardize the skier's dynamic balance and sense of rhythm in each discipline. CONCLUSION: The hexagon test can be a predictor of alpine skiing performance in 12-13 year-olds that has to be taken into account in the talent detection processes. A high level of ability to coordinate seems to be more relevant at early ages than the other force abilities.
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