By Alex English Fear creates Doubt. Doubt leads to Failure. In the sport of Speed Skiing, where failure can mean a quarter mile slide at 150mph, controlling fear is paramount to survival. It is unlike any other activity on earth - imagine crossing sky diving with bull riding and you might come up with something close.
Speed skiing is a blend of highly technical athletic skills and sophisticated equipment.
When the skier approaches 120 mph, aerodynamics become critical since air friction increases exponentially while the speed increases linearly. Accordingly, top competitors spend a great deal of time refining the aerodynamics of their equipment and tuck position. The speed skier is both the pilot and the aircraft. Many hours of wind tunnel testing and design modification are spent fine tuning each individual racer's equipment and body position. Every suit is custom tailored and the helmets are made with a perfect mold for each athlete's head.