Auto-Lubricating Skis Could Conquer Tournament Slopes

Wax makes us smoother, sleeker, and more aerodynamic. The same is true for skis. But while the idea of a self-waxing human is revolting, self-waxing skis are an entirely different matter.

Developed by Wildfire Snowsports, a spinoff firm from England's University of Sheffield, the waxing device attaches to skis and continuously applies fresh gunk to its underside during a race.

"Validated test results," it claims, show that skiers using the system gain a 1-2 percent speed boost: enough of a difference to cover the top 20 contestants' times in a major tournament.

“The device fully complies with all FIS (International Ski Federation)
rules and is the only one of its kind in the world to have been routinely tested and proven,” says Professor Peter Styring, who has led the project and will deliver the York presentation. “Suitable for skis used in events such as downhill, super giant slalom and potentially cross-country too, the device has also been incorporated into freestyle skis and snowboards – extra speed means riders can achieve extra height in halfpipe* events, for instance.”

If this means that Britain will make a better showing in international winter sports, it's probably a good thing. Sounds like cheating to me, though: if you're going to attach a lubricant-spewing box, why not a jet-pack? Images of 1980s Formula 1 cars fitted with big downforce-generating fans spring to mind.

Speedier Skis [Eureka Alert]