Speed skiing
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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 Script error: No such module "convert".
History
Speed skiing dates from 1898 with a run by American Tommy Todd, reported at Script error: No such module "convert".. Official records began with an Script error: No such module "convert". run by Leo Gasperl in 1932. While training for the 1956 Winter Olympics, American downhiller Ralph Miller is credited with being the first to break Script error: No such module "convert"., at nearly Script error: No such module "convert". in August 1955 at Portillo, Chile, a record which held up for fifteen years.[1][2][3]
In 1978, also at Portillo, American Steve McKinney's record-breaking run of Script error: No such module "convert".[4] made him the first to break the Script error: No such module "convert". barrier.[2][5] It was a demonstration sport at the Albertville 1992 Winter Olympics on the Les Arcs speed skiing course, but was deemed too dangerous after several recorded deaths.[6][7]
Description
Speed skiing is practiced on steep, specially designed courses Script error: No such module "convert". in length. There are approximately thirty of these courses worldwide, many of them at high altitudes to minimize air resistance. The first Script error: No such module "convert". of the course (the launching area) is used to gain speed, the top speed is measured in the next Script error: No such module "convert". (the timing zone) and the last Script error: No such module "convert". (the run-out area) 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 Script error: No such module "convert"., 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.[6]
In theory, speeds could continue to increase by using even longer and steeper slopes; this would eventually change 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.[8]
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 (but mandatory) back protector to give some protection in the case of a crash.[6]
The special skis used must be Script error: No such module "convert".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". in length and at most Script error: No such module "convert". wide, with a maximum weight of Script error: No such module "convert". for the pair. Ski boots are attached to the skis by bindings. The ski poles are bent to shape around the body, with a minimum length of Script error: No such module "convert"..[6]
Official world records
The following records were set under FSV (France Ski de Vitesse) rules at Vars, France:
- Men – Simon Billy (France) Script error: No such module "convert". on March 22, 2023.[9]
- Women – Valentina Greggio (Italy) 247.083 km/h (153.530 mph) on 26 March 2016.
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See also
References
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