22Oct 2019 by DS News Team
Review: Best Ski Boots For Classic Right Now, Part 2: Madshus, Rossignol, Salomon. Plus Alfa And Spine

Review: Best Ski Boots For Classic Right Now, Part 2: Madshus, Rossignol, Salomon. Plus Alfa And Spine

Gear News, Newsfeed
This is a continuation of the story. If you want to read about Atomic, Alpina and Fischer offerings as of this autumn, go here A few additional things to mull over: - Some (not all) ski bootmakers say that designing and producing true racing Classic boots is actually more difficult than the ones for Skating. Due to conflicting characteristics the sole should posses: rigid in some parts, flexible in others. - Top market for Classic boots is Scandinavia & Finland. Warmth is more of an issue in long-distance Classic races Norwegians, Swedes and Finns are so fond of. [caption id="attachment_13221" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Madshus Super Nano Classic are venerable product that is still being used by the world's best ( cue Krista Parmakoski) . Pros: cheapest carbon classic boots on the…
Read More
21Oct 2019 by DS News Team
Review: Best Ski Boots For Classic Right Now, Part I: Alpina, Atomic, Fischer

Review: Best Ski Boots For Classic Right Now, Part I: Alpina, Atomic, Fischer

Gear News, Newsfeed
Same ground rules as in our review of Skatings boots: "Best boots" in our glossary are those made for Nordic racing at the highest international level in the last couple of years, give or take. That invariably means carbon sole boots. Well, almost invariably - it's true that even at the World Cup level you occasionally get to see a skier or two racing in non-carbon soled boots. Especially in very cold weather. That makes some difference compared to freestyle races where carbon sole is now absolute must-have. But statistically it is rather negligible and certainly not applicable to true WC podium crowd Technically, we should also be including combi ( a.k.a. skiathlon or pursuit) boots as they ar occasionally being used by some in classic races at the World…
Read More
18Oct 2019 by DS News Team
Inside Atomic With Yann Vallett, Part 2

Inside Atomic With Yann Vallett, Part 2

Newsfeed
We continue our conversation with Yann Vallet, Atomic Nordic boss of the last 4 years, where he talks about products developed under his guidance. All quotes are from Yann - while photos used for illustration purposes are ours, taken at different FIS World Cup stages & during athletes' training. [caption id="attachment_13131" align="alignnone" width="1920"] - Atomic philosophy is " Sport first, but customer satisfaction is equally important"[/caption] [caption id="attachment_13136" align="alignnone" width="1920"] - No, still can not order fully personalized ski construction. But you could order personalized design of the skis provided that you are ready to pay for at least 50 pairs of them.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_13128" align="alignnone" width="1920"] - Atomic does not have special sport skis production. We strive to have top skis produced as identical to each other as they…
Read More
16Oct 2019 by DS News Team
Inside Atomic, Part 1

Inside Atomic, Part 1

Gear News, Newsfeed
...Mere five years ago it felt like Atomic is phasing out its involvement in Nordic ski racing. With only one medal in cross skiing competitions in Sochi 2014 ( Claudia Nystad's bronze in 4 X 5k relay) it certainly felt like hey-days of the 1980- early 90s when Atomic was among the leaders on the international circuit are over. Not that anybody would be shocked. Since 1994 Atomic GmbH is fully owned by Amer Sports Group that already has one strong ski-related brand in its portfolio - the Annecy-based Salomon. Atomic was doing ( still does) fantastic podium-wise in crucial Alpine ski segment while Salomon steadily expanded from being leading ski boots producer to becoming top-flight xcski and apparel maker. In situation like that any business consultant would recommend folding…
Read More
22Jul 2019 by DS News Team
Yulia Belorukova: If You Don’t Get Kick From Doing What You’re Doing – Why Do It At All?

Yulia Belorukova: If You Don’t Get Kick From Doing What You’re Doing – Why Do It At All?

Leaders, Newsfeed
...When Yulia Belorukova won the very first official race of the last season, many a fan said Wow! here come the true challenger to Swedish-Norwegian duopoly in sprint. Alas, the rest of the season was as impressive for a 24 year old Russian. Although far from a failed one ( bronze in relay in Seefeld where she held Ebba and Heidi Weng's all-out leap at the first stage, overall 8th place in the World Cup season classification), Belorukova wants more next season. Wants - and makes no secret of that in our conversation, that we shall customary publish in two installments, using the photos of Yulia that we've taken throughout the season. Here's Part 1 [caption id="attachment_12342" align="alignnone" width="1920"] I like skiing, that feeling of actually being on the snow.…
Read More