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 Template:Convert
HistoryEdit
Speed skiing dates from 1898 with a run by American Tommy Todd, reported at Template:Convert. Official records began with an Template: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 Template:Convert, at nearly Template:Convert in August 1955 at Portillo, Chile, a record which held up for fifteen years.<ref name=arupwn>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name=hfcigo>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=skhrj>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 1978, also at Portillo, American Steve McKinney's record-breaking run of Template:Convert<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} </ref> made him the first to break the Template:Convert barrier.<ref name=hfcigo/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name = Curveball/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
DescriptionEdit
Speed skiing is practiced on steep, specially designed courses Template:Convert in length. There are approximately thirty of these courses worldwide, many of them at high altitudes to minimize air resistance. The first Template:Convert of the course (the launching area) is used to gain speed, the top speed is measured in the next Template:Convert (the timing zone) and the last Template: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 Template: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.<ref name = Curveball/>
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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
EquipmentEdit
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.<ref name = Curveball> Template:Cite book</ref>
The special skis used must be Template:Height in length and at most Template:Convert wide, with a maximum weight of Template: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 Template:Convert.<ref name = Curveball/>
Official world recordsEdit
The following records were set under FSV (France Ski de Vitesse) rules at Vars, France:
- Men – Simon Billy (France) Template:Convert on March 22, 2023.<ref>
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- Women – Valentina Greggio (Italy) 247.083 km/h (153.530 mph) on 26 March 2016.