Equipment
Sitskiing is a sport that requires the use of specialized equipment. The most important piece of equipment for sitskiing is the sit-ski itself. This is a chair-like device that allows the skier to sit upright while skiing. Other important pieces of equipment include outriggers, gloves, clothing and ofcourse the skis.
Sitski
A sitski consists of a seat that is mounted on a frame with a shock. To be fast you need to be one with the sitski. That is why Roel van der Hooft and I developed custom seating . Besides that, you also rely on the shock. This needs to be tuned for the correct damping and rebound.
We are always looking for the next edge in for example the aerodynamics of the sit-ski. Of course these are not off the shelf parts and cost more to design and produce.
Skis
The main difference between the skis used in each event is the length of the ski. Downhill skis are the longest, while slalom skis are the shortest. This is because downhill skis need to be stable at high speeds with a big turning radius, while slalom skis need to be agile for quick turns.
Ski preparation
Before a race, the skis need to be in peak condition. This means sharpening the edges and waxing the skis. Sharp edges help the skier grip the often icy snow and make turns more easily. Waxing the ski helps it glide better and prevents the ski from getting slowed down by the snow.