Effects of Width, Length and Flexural Rigidities of Ski on Ski Turn.

Abstract

Recently a new type which is called the width ski is available on the market. Since the has a wide width and a short length, the radius of curvature of the side cut is smaller than that of the used up until nOW. It has been explained that the side cut of the is very important for a turn. Therefore, it is of great interest as to why such a with a different side cut has been developed and what kinds of effect the different side cut gives on the turn. The authors have already developed a numerical approach for estimating the turn caused by a skier's edging action. Since the dynamic bending deformation and movement of the can be analyzed by the approach, we can estimate the effects of the shape and mechanical properties of the on the turn by using the approach. In the present study, the turn of four kinds of with a different width, length and flexural rigidities are estimated numerically. The effects of the ski's flexural rigidities, width, and length on the locus of the turn and the relative direction of the to the tangent of the locus are discussed from the numerical results.