Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-01-13

a snow run, and soon he will essay
one of the ice runs.
There are various forms of tobog-
gan With the advent of Americans
a machine in which the sitting posi-
ton was abandoned was introduced
The runners were rounded off and
heightened. Steering was accomplish
ed by the feet, the head-on position be-
ing adopted for racing. The pictur-
esque position of riding sideways is
admissible, but the spectacular prone
position is the one for speed
Toboggan runs are of two kinds
snow and ice. The snow runs may be
on natural slopes or on high roads or
constructed tracks on either. They
may be straight or smoothly winding.
with showed up banks These snow
runs are adapted for coasting or lug
ging and especially for bobsleighing.
THE EXCITING ICE RUN
Ice runs are made for speed, of va
rious inclines or gradients in their diff
ferent sections and sharply curved and
high banked at the turns. They have
also lodges for jump-offs, and altogeth-
er they are built for thrills. The
American skeleton" toboggan is the
king sled of the ice run. When an ice
run is taken at = speed of fifty miles
an hour-ninety miles being attainab.e
on a straight course-its curves call
for cool head and steady nerve. All
the more so, as the true tobogganer
disdains to reduce his speed by using
artificial steering gear, and he prefers
to steer by well calculated backward
and forward movements of his body
and feet.
1t is sensational to see racer tax
ing a curve at a breakneck speed, sug-
costing the possibility every moment
of a spill. Sometimes that may hap
pen through an error of judgment in
taking a bank when the toboggan may
be turned completely around and the
rider finishes in a backward position
or will find himself buried head fore
most in the snow.
Skiing is one of the stunning sports,
its novelty lending an added induce
ment to the snow lover. Switzerland
has made a great ski jumping record,
and the country is indeed now reckon
ed the skiers' paradise. not only on &C
| count of the splendid condition of the
snow, but of the innumerable touring
possibilities rendered so attractive by
the beauty of the scenery. Every
where the ski clubs have huts in the
mountains, SO that excursions of days
duration may be taken with perfect
safety.
The ski has indeed accomplished
i the conquest of the snow, and it has
therefore added greatly to the delights
Eof mountaineering. The progress OF
Sskiing as an organized sport has been
Ia, - A.
portant consideration. The general
rule is to be able to crook ones fore
finger over the top Of the ski when il
is, set upright. The skier makes par
ticularly sure that his skis are sound
/, the binding strong and that his rueck
sack contains all the spare straps, tips
land tools he may need. The skier's
I shoes should be well blocked with thict
soles and low heels Skiers garb them
selves in costume of wind proof ma
terial- Puttees are worn.
SKI JUMPING 49,
In acquiring the peculiar ski gait. 4
one has the use of his feet. he canno
begin too soon or early to learn tb,
motions necessary to make him an ex
pert. With the first fall of snow tn,
novice goes out and, selecting his skis
affixes them to his feet and, with %
without instructions. will try to slid
down the nearest slope. He may b,
rewarded with more success than h.
anticipated and is filed with enthusi
asm. but he will find that there is ;
deal to pick up in mastering the De
culiar swings and turns of the variou
styles and of becoming skilled in tn
art of coming to a quick halt withou
jarring himself or of progressing on
u ward with graceful and easy mora