New products are here! In 2010 the ispo European Ski Awards are once again presented by an international jury consisting of media and retail representatives as well as independent industry experts for innovative ski products. The award honors products distinguishing themselves thanks to technical features, design, and individual user-friendliness.
The Austrian ski manufacturer receives the award in the category
Hardware for its innovative shock absorption technology “IQ Power Full
Suspension”. Inspired by automotive technology the skis feature visible oil
pressure shock absorbers, eliminating unwanted oscillations and improving
control. Connected to the shock absorbers is the so-called “Carbon Power
Booster”, a carbon brace reinforcement ensuring even power distribution across
the entire length of the ski. Athletic skiers will benefit from this agile
ski’s increased safety and improved ride, packaged in a sporty design. Jury Statement: Blizzard revolutionizes shock absorption technology for top skis with
this advanced new development. Packaged into a technical design the R-Power FS
IQ offers a high degree of usability as well as additional safety on the
slopes.
In the upcoming season Völkl focuses on individuality. The jury honors
the newly developed “Power Switch individual” technology with its Special
Prize. This technology allows a personal adjustment of the ski according to
skill, weight, and age. With the help of a counter-sunk adjustment screw in the
rear of the ski a carbon rod integrated into the ski’s body is either tightened
or relaxed, thus changing the ski’s flex. The carving skis are adjusted to the
buyer’s requirements by a knowledgeable retail staff member at the time of
purchase. Jury Statement: The individualization concept PSi by Völkl offers added value both for
retail and consumers. Customizable ski characteristics according to skill
level, weight, and age offer the user more performance and safety, and provide
retailers with an opportunity to prove their consulting expertise.
Air inside the boot! A quick and simple description of the “Air Shell
Fit” technology by Tecnica. Air pockets are integrated between the outer shell
and inner boot in the area of the forefoot and the heel, which can be in- or
deflated manually. By pressing a button on the rear of the boot the skier can
adjust the fit according to application, foot shape, and snow conditions. Tecnica
offers a new boot for all skiers who want to enjoy comfort while skiing. Jury Statement: The most prominent feature of the Tecnica Phoenix 100 Air Shell is the
advanced adjustment mechanism to satisfy a variety of applications. The
well-though-out air system allows quick and easy adjustment of the boots’ fit
for all types of conditions, perfect for comfort-conscious skiers.
The new skating boot by Fischer is specially designed for athletic
competition and ambitious hobby skiers. The use of carbon stabilizes the shoe’s
shape, and thus ensures a high degree of torsion resistance and optimal energy
transfer to the ski at an extremely low weight. The “Worldcup Carbon Cuff” technology provides
high directional stability while ensuring maximum range of motion across the
length of the boot. Flexible materials ensure perfect and comfortable fit.
Ratchet fasteners allow individual customization of support, volume, and
torsion resistance. Jury Statement: Fischer used state-of-the-art materials to create a high-performance
athletic cross-country boot, the RCS Carbonlite Skating. Packaged into a clever
design the Fischer skating boot is a top product for Nordic competitors and
ambitious hobby skiers.
Changing light conditions on and off the slopes continue to provide new
challenges for goggle manufacturers. Uvex’ new “take off” technology for ski
goggles impressed the jury thanks to its technical details and design. The
helmet-compatible ski goggles come with an orange lens. By attaching another,
darker lens the goggles can be adjusted for use in glaring light conditions.
This is done with the help of a magnetic mechanism, allowing a quick and easy
adjustment while wearing the goggles. The second lens is very thin and
flexible, and can easily be stowed in a jacket pocket. The goggles protect
against UVA, UVB and UVC, and feature anti-fog treatment. Jury Statement: The innovation Take Off by Uvex is simple and effective. The result is
easy and rapid goggle adjustment for all types of conditions. The technical
features as well as the design complement a product offering a high degree of
added value for a wide-ranging target group.
This year no awards were presented in the categories Ski Bindings, Ski
Wear, and Kids.
The winners of the ispo European Ski Awards 2009
This year ispo once again honored the most innovative products from the ski segment with the European Ski Awards. The entered products were examined by an international jury consisting of representatives of the media, retail, and independent industry experts, according to safety, user-friendliness, design, and technical aspects.
“Powder
Hull” is the
name of a new technology developed for Freeride enthusiasts. Derived
from speed
boat construction the special tip displaces considerable amounts of
snow. The Watea 101 Ski by Fischer guarantees easy gliding, complete
control, high
speeds, and precise tracking. These are only a few reasons for placing
first in
the Category Hardware.
The
award in the Category Skiwear goes
to Ortovox. The technical underwear Merino Competition is a clever bridge
between extremely skin-friendly, natural Merino wool and state-of-the-art body
mapping. The user benefits from additional functionality without having to
forego proven quality and features. In
addition, there are no annoying, chafing seams, as all products from the
Competition series are manufactured in a tubular knitting process.
Thanks
to the use of state-of-the-art composite technologies Salomon was able to deign its
“SPK Pro Model” to best satisfy the
requirements of Park and Pipe. In addition, the extremely flexible toe area was
another reason why Salomon won the Category Ski Boots. The boot not only offers skiers more safety and comfort,
it also guarantees more “fun and action”.
In
the Category Binding, Marker’s model
Jester Schizo fulfills the wishes of
many skiers for a fore and aft adjustment of 3 cm in each direction. This well-designed technical solution
increases the variety of applications for Schizo, especially for twin tip skis
for park and powder.
The
innovative electro-magnetic system of the Magnestic
Vest by Rossignol offers a clear
additional degree of safety for children in chairlifts, and was selected as the
winner of the Category Active Kids. The
outer vest for 4- to 12-year-olds includes a magnet integrated into the center
of the back panel and the sides are foam-padded. The magnet keeps the child
securely contained while seated in the chairlift; as soon as the unloading area
is reached the magnet disengages. Integrated protectors and reflecting fabric
completes this comprehensive technical safety vest.
In the
Category Others the Scott Company revolutionizes protective
gear for skiers and snowboarders with its Compression
Regulator-X. The back protector features an ergonomic design, in form of
flexible ribs which guarantee wear comfort and safe riding on the slopes, in
the park, or while Freeriding. Thanks to a number of other clever technical
details the protector offers freedom of motion, durability, low weight, and a
ventilation system.
