PHOTO: Bildbyrån
After great secrecy and signed non-disclosure agreements, the story of the next skiing innovation is starting to become public.
Now Sweden’s riding team has also tested the “super ski” from Finland.
– In warmer and wetter conditions, it could be a winner, says dam manager Anders Svanebo to TT.
Finnish Johanna Matintalo was close to winning the world cup race in Falun on March 16, only the national woman Kerttu Niskanen was ahead. If the race had been a little longer, Matintalo would probably have passed in terms of time. Second place was her best finish in individual World Cup races and the difference to the winner was only 4.2 seconds.
The new super ski
What nobody knew at the time was that Matintalo had chosen to test a pair of skis with a new type of attachment zone underneath. She had signed a nondisclosure agreement that she could not talk about the skis, nor did she praise the material that is otherwise customary at such a hit.
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Now, however, she has had to tell the truth to the Finnish TV channel EPN.
– They turned out to be the best in tests so it was an easy choice, Matintalo tells EPN.
The Swedish national team heard about the innovation in the spring and went to Finland at the end of April to test it themselves.
– We had two fencers who were there. Everything was very secret and we weren’t allowed to take a closer look at how it looked on the pads under the ski, says Sweden’s herd manager Anders Svanebo.
Very popular
He describes it as the next generation of skins skis. “Skins” have become very popular as a wax-free alternative for exercisers who do not want to add wax to their classic skis. Elite skiers have shown in the Vasaloppet, for example, that you can be at the top of the results list with skins instead of classic fästvalla.
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This should be even better and provide even better glide compared to the usual type of skin under the ski.
– We have not been told what it is or how to apply it to the ski. It seems that it works better and worse in different conditions. The wet forest in Falun seems to be the best. No dirt gets stuck under the ski, says Svanebo.
Karlsson’s words
Frida Karlsson have also heard about the phenomenon and eagerly await more information.
– You have heard the rumors quite a bit, it seems very secretive. But if it’s as good as they say, it’s not something you want to miss out on, says Karlsson.
READ MORE: The shock message: Moa Lundgren leaves the Swedish national ski team completely – and directs clear criticism: “We are not…”
National team manager Anders Byström wants to see more before he is fully convinced.
– We heard rumors last winter and the herding team has more control, so I won’t say much. There is a lot that will revolutionize the sport, but then there will be nothing more. But I’d like to see more of it, it sounds interesting.
The developers themselves are more positive and believe that some of the medalists at the WC in Trondheim next year will ride their skis.
– It is realistic that someone will win a medal with them already in Trondheim 2025, at the latest at the Olympics in Milan. I think consumer sales can also start in 2026, says the inventor and patent owner Pasi Vironen to EPN.
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