Atomic 2004-2005 Season Preview
By Rick Halling, Atomic US Nordic Director
September 7, 2004
Atomic Launches High End Boot Program
It seems that whenever we work with our Worldcup athletes,
the skis are always dialed in and the athletes are happy.
The problems they have with equipment usually stem from the
boots. The Gold medalists we supply with skis have pointed
out that Atomic has great alpine race boots and they have
been pressuring us to make XC race boots as well. So, we have
given in to their demands and the Nordic community will see
a new boot on the Worldcup circuit this season. Atomic will
offer a high end skate boot, the RS: Elite, a high end classic
boot, the RC: Elite and price point skate and classic boots,
the RS: Comp and RC: Comp. All models are NNN compatible.
We were impressed by the way that the NNN binding works like
a two piece syringe. We did a lot of testing on our flex testers
and we found that the two piece design of the NNN is much
better for the flex pattern of a ski than a rigid one piece
binding. The two piece design of the NNN lets the binding
flow with the flex of the ski and it doesn't hamper the flex
the way a one piece binding will. Any given ski will glide
faster with NNN than if it were mounted with a rigid one piece
binding. I am not sure how many years it has been since the
Birkebeiner was NOT won with NNN. The fact that NNN is considerably
lighter than other systems also influenced our decision.
Our sister company, Wilson Sports, has some formidable patents
that they let us use for our race boots. The most intriguing
patent we are incorporating is a heel fit system. Most racing
boots have some sort of adjustment that tightens the boot
around the skier's heel. These adjustments are usually separate
straps from the rest of the lacing. Atomic's heel fit system
is integral with the regular lacing and it provides a secure
fit around the heel/ankle that is not available with other
boots. We have also borrowed some patents from Wilson that
let us put stabilizers around the boots that give them incredible
control and stability in even the worst of conditions. Atomic's
new race boots are rigid where they need to be while still
providing a smooth forward flex.
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