GIRLS
SKIS
Written on 2 August 2013 by Susan Dun
Women aren’t just small men, they’re very different!
When it comes to skiing, these differences can cause problems for females using “unisex” equipment which is really designed for males.
Common examples of these are:
Female physiology and biomechanics are very different to those of a man and this is often where the root of the problem lies.
TOP TIP
xxxxx
xxxxx
The Reasons
Centre of mass
Female physiology and biomechanics are very different to those of a man and this is where the root of the problem lies.
Females tend to have bigger hips and thighs and shorter legs than men. Men are broader in the chest and shoulders and carry most of their weight above the waist and to the front of their body.
Because of this, a lady skier's centre of mass is lower and further back than her male counterparts which positions a lady off-balance on her skis. Girls can find it difficult to bring their weight forward, over the centre of the skis.
The Problems
So when a lady skier flexes forwards, her weight is over her heels rather than over the centre of the ski. This makes it difficult to pressure the tip of the skis to initiate a turn, especially on steeper slopes and makes the tips more difficult to control.
Girls can feel the tips of their skis are unstable and edgy, or tend to wander and cross, especially when skiing in a schuss.
They often over-rotate their upper body and skid their skis round at the end of the turn because they feel they’re losing control of their speed.
The Q-Angle
A woman’s pelvis is wider than a man's, so her femur approaches the knee at a wider angle - the "Q" Angle - causing a more knock-kneed stance.
To keep her centre of gravity over her weight-bearing foot a girl has to move her pelvis more. This excess hip swing causes over-rotation and forces the tails of her skis to skid at the end of the turn.
Ankle and knee flexion
Women also physically can’t bend as much at the knees and ankles as men can. So they tend to ski in a more upright position, which again makes the tips of the skis difficult to control.
This can make them bend at the waist to bring their weight forward enough to gain control of the front of the ski, but bending at the waist puts them off balance.
Height, weight and strength
Females tend to be shorter, lighter than and not as strong as males and can struggle to flex and bend unisex skis.
So a girl may swing her hips to get the ski to come around which again causes upper body over-rotation.
Girls using unisex skis also have to use a higher percentage of their overall strength than a man would. So they tire more easily, are more prone to muscle and joint fatigue and can be prone to knee injury.
Female ski technology - THE SOLUTION
Female ski technology
In the last few years manufacturers have begun to understand the anatomical and biomechanical reasons female skiers have these problems and have developed specific ladies’ skis which aren't just about flowery graphics.
Female-specific skis address the problems faced by lady skiers:
Binding Position / Centre of Sidecut
The binding mount point on female skis tends to be 1 to 3 centimeters forward of unisex skis. As well as moving the mount point forwards, some manufacturers move the whole centre of the sidecut in their lady-specific skis too.
This brings the skier’s centre of mass forward and more over the tips, making it much easier to initiate the turn and to maintain tip contact to control the skis throughout the turn.
It also eliminates the tendency to stem and slide the tails to control speed, and reduces the need to use unwanted upper body rotation.
The skier can flow into a turn instead of forcing it.
And when the skier is standing in the proper position on the ski, less raw strength is needed to make the ski turn – which is less tiring.
XXX
XXX
XXXXX
Ramp Angle
Ramp angle raises the skier’s heel, moving the centre of mass both upwards and forwards over the front of the skis.
This leads to better pressure distribution on the front of the ski with a girl’s reduced ankle and knee flex and without bending at the waist. . .Which all helps again with tip control and turn initiation.
Flex and torsion
Female specific skis are also slightly softer flexing than the equivalent unisex ski. So it takes less strength, weight and power to bend the ski and effect a carve, rather than a skidded turn.
Ladies’ skis don’t generally need to be as torsionally stiff as unisex models either, as they’re not designed to support a heavy man through the turn.
Because skis are easier to turn they’re less tiring, so a female skier can last longer on the mountain and her muscles and joints aren’t so prone to injury.
Weight
Ladies’ skis also tend to be made of lighter materials than unisex models, so they’re easy to maneuver and carry.
ANY COMMENTS?
Let us know what you think -
ARTICLE GROUPS
POPULAR ARTICLES
ARTICLE PARTNERS
© Copyright