NEW SKIS A CUT ABOVE ALL THE REST.Byline: Brett Pauly Daily News Staff Writer As the start of ski season The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. approaches and the daunting daunt tr.v. daunt·ed, daunt·ing, daunts To abate the courage of; discourage. See Synonyms at dismay. [Middle English daunten, from Old French danter, from Latin search for equipment begins, a lot of skiers can be heard mumbling mum·ble v. mum·bled, mum·bling, mum·bles v.tr. 1. To utter indistinctly by lowering the voice or partially closing the mouth: mumbled an insincere apology. , ``What ever happened to safety straps?'' Well, don't fret, flake fans: A new breed of ski will make spills a thing of the past - in theory, at least. Visibly tapered in the middle, these ``super-sidecut'' skis with the funny-looking fat tips and tails are geared to be more maneuverable than conventional models. The parabolic par·a·bol·ic also par·a·bol·i·cal adj. 1. Of or similar to a parable. 2. Of or having the form of a parabola or paraboloid. shape carves a clean turn from beginning to end without having the tips or the tails slide. The physics of the super-sidecut are tough to explain, but, basically, an arched ski is more apt to turn while a straight ski goes, well, straight. The science is more easily understood by anyone who has plowed into a lift line full of people, causing a domino effect, because they were unable to turn their skis and come to a stop. And since the hourglass hourglass, glass instrument for measuring time, usually consisting of two bulbs united by a narrow neck. One bulb is filled with fine sand that runs through the neck into the other bulb in an hour's time. ski is generally shorter, there is a smaller turning radius The turning radius or turning circle of a vehicle is the radius of the smallest circular turn (eg. U-turn) that the vehicle is capable of making. It is often used as a generalized term rather than a numerical figure. that makes it easier to complete a curve. Snowboards work on the same theory. In fact, the parabolic ski looks like an elongated e·lon·gate tr. & intr.v. e·lon·gat·ed, e·lon·gat·ing, e·lon·gates To make or grow longer. adj. or elongated 1. Made longer; extended. 2. Having more length than width; slender. snowboard. The hourglass design is also viewed as an improvement on the recent rage of ``fat skis,'' which are wider to make floating in deep snow easier. The super-sidecut combines wide spots that work well in powder and a narrow middle that creates a curve to follow in hard pack. And although it's shorter, the ski maintains its stability at higher speeds, making it a versatile tool. Not since skis went from wood to metal and boots from leather to plastic has there been such commotion. It may be just the boot, er, boost the industry needs. Though snowboarding has shot through the roof of late, skiing interest has remained relatively steady in recent years. In fact, surveys indicate Southern California is home to the country's largest skier population. More than 200,000 hard-core skiers hit the slopes 10 or more times a year, while another million ski less often, according to the trade association Ski Industries America. |
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