Speed Skiing

Are you driven by the need for speed?  Speed skiing is undoubtedly one of the world’s fastest sports involving a non-motorized tool, just good old gravity working with the angle of the slope to ensure that you accelerate at surprising speeds.  Some have been known to zip through with speeds of 125 miles per hour.    This is, in fact, faster than speed skydiving.  Currently, the world record is at 156 miles per hour.

Speed skiing is done off-piste.  It is ideal in trails that are steep and not less than 1 kilometer in length.  The higher the altitude, the better, as this decreases air resistance.   For speed skiing matches, the 1 kilometer trail is used.  The timing zone is the length of the trail starting from the 401st meter to the 500th.  The first part is called the launching area (400 meters used accelerating one’s speed) and the third and last part is the run-out area (where the skiers slow down until they come to a complete stop).

The biggest problem for speed skiing, aside from potential injury, is that it is hard to skid to a stop after such high speeds.  You should be able to deal with the fact that you have to maintain your proper position (the low tuck) whilst experiencing vibrations caused by the friction of the skis and the snow.  You should also know how to do the Snow plough stop, so that you can safely come to a halt.  If not done properly, you run the risk of having skin burns, fractures, and a variety of speed-related injuries.

The skis for this type of skiing are longer and wider than your standard alpine skis.  These are attached to the ski boots by bindings.  These binding should be cranked up so that it can withstand vibrations.  These are around 2.4 meters long and 10 centimeters wide. You will also need wind-resistant equipment – an aerodynamic helmet, air-tight ski suits (which should come with back protectors) and foam fairings (for protection of the lower leg).  These pads are also non-flammable, so that when a skier crashes in high speed, he is protected from burning. The ski poles are at least 1 meter in length and are bent to accommodate the body’s shape.

Not only do you need to be able to perform the techniques to gain speed and to stop properly, you also have to be physically ready so that you are able to do these physically challenging feats.

Popular names in the world of speed skiing include Simone Origone (who reached a world record speed of 251.4 kilometers per hour) and Philippe Goitschel (who reached 250.7 kilometers per hour – the first one to break the 250 kilometer per hour barrier).