Speed skiing is the sport of skiing downhill in a straight line at as high a speed as possible, as timed over a fixed stretch of ski slope. There are two types of contest: breaking an existing speed record or having the fastest run at a given competition. Speed skiers regularly exceed
History
Speed skiing dates from 1898 with a run by Californian, Tommy Todd, reported at. Official records began with a 1932 run by Leo Gasperi. In 1978 at Portillo, Chile, Steve McKinney's record-breaking run of 200.222 km/h made him the first to break the 200 km/h barrier. It was a demonstration sport at the Albertville 1992 Winter Olympics in the Les Arcs speed skiing course, but was deemed too dangerous after several recorded deaths.
Description
Speed skiing is practiced on steep, specially designed courses long. There are approximately thirty of these courses worldwide, many of them at high altitudes to minimize air resistance. The first of the course is used to gain speed, the top speed is measured in the next and the last is used for slowing down and coming to a stop. The start point in FIS races is chosen so that, in theory, skiers should not exceed, hence competition is aimed at winning a particular event, not breaking world speed records. At Pro races, there is no maximum speed and the speed attained is determined by conditions and safety. In theory, speeds could continue to increase by using even longer and steeper slopes; this eventually changes speed skiing into something closer to skydiving except with skis rather than a parachute. Since a slight bump or gentle turn can easily prove fatal at such speeds, there is little appetite for this.
Equipment
Speed skiers wear dense foam fairings on their lower legs and aerodynamic helmets to increase streamlining. Their ski suits are made from air-tight latex or have a polyurethane coating to reduce wind resistance, with only a minimal back protector to give some protection in the case of a crash. The special skis used must be long and at most wide with a maximum weight of for the pair. Ski boots are attached to the skis by bindings. The ski poles are bent to shape around the body, and must be a minimum of long.
