Cork 12L Freeride World Tour Snow Safety Airbag Pack and Airbag Vest
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Date
2024-06-13
Authors
Karow, Ryan M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Freeride skiing and snowboarding represent a recent evolution in extreme snow sports, embracing a diverse range of competitive disciplines. The Freeride World Tour stands as the pinnacle of competition for the most daring Freeride skiers and snowboarders, displaying their unparalleled skill, creativity, and style on some of the world's most challenging terrain. To meet the demands of such high-level performance, there is an urgent call for innovation to elevate the quality of equipment, as current offerings often fall short of expectations.
Each year around fifty top competing riders qualify for this intense competition and compete internationally at four to six stops with the ultimate goal of qualifying for finals in Verbier, Switzerland, the final stop of the tour (WE ARE THE HOME OF FREERIDE, n.d.). With this extreme level of riding comes the highest level of consequences. One bad fall and riders can tumble down 50° slopes over cliff bands, rock faces, and cause huge avalanche that can bury them.
To combat these risks, riders are now required to use back protectors, avalanche airbags, helmets, and other avalanche gear at a minimum, to protect against these hazards. Each of these products perform well but not in conjunction with each other. To embrace the fluidity of movement, the elevated stakes, the ever-present threat of avalanches, and address the existing issues of system integration, there's an imperative demand for a fresh line of safety equipment tailored for freeride skiers and snowboarders. This innovation is crucial to not only safeguard riders but also enhance their performance and overall enjoyment.
This research explores, substantiates, and proposes innovative solutions for backcountry skiing avalanche airbag packs and vests.
Description
61 pages
Keywords
freeride skiing, freeride snowboarding, Freeride World Tour, backcountry ski equipment, airbag packs