Firngglider

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Different figure models: Modern light metal figs with hinged binding, classic light metal figs with lace binding, cut skis with hinged binding
Firn gliders are particularly suitable for descent through narrow firn channels in spring
When gliding in the snow, you ski with a strong rearward position compared to skiing

A Firngleiter (abbreviated Figl ) is a kurzskiähnliches winter sports equipment , which is primarily the exit on Firn (soft spring snow) is used.

Construction methods

Firnggliders are about 50 to 66 cm long skis with a binding attached to the end . Classic snow gliders are made of light metal sheet (or wood) and are slightly wider than normal skis. A simple lace-up binding is often used as the binding system, which allows the use of any sturdy footwear (even of different sizes). Folding bindings offer a more secure hold, but require adjustment to a specific shoe size and the use of crampon-compatible mountain boots or ski boots . In addition, firing gliders are now often self-made from used, sawed-off skis with a newly mounted binding.

Similar sports equipment to snow gliders are short skis (“Big Foot” from Kneissl, “Snowblade” from Salomon ). With short skis, the binding is not mounted at the end, but in the middle of the gliding surface .

Driving style

When skiing with firn gliders, in contrast to conventional skiing techniques, the athlete has a strong setback. In contrast to skis, which are mainly controlled by moving sideways and using the edges, firing gliders are controlled more by shifting the weight forwards and backwards. To accelerate, you shift your weight forward, to brake your heels are pressed into the soft snow and your body's center of gravity is brought back. Thanks to this technology, it is possible to brake firn gliders while driving straight ahead. Ski poles are often used for stabilization when gliding in the snow , but they play less of a role than when skiing.

use

Firn gliders are particularly suitable for driving on soft spring snow ( firn ) and on steep slopes. At this time of year they are often used by mountaineers as a descent aid in conditions that are no longer favorable for ski tours : If there is no longer a continuous blanket of snow from spring to early summer, Figl prove to be advantageous, as they are not a major obstacle due to their low weight Represent ascent in uneven terrain. In addition, they allow (depending on the model) the ascent with normal mountain boots. When descending through gullies that are often only narrow and still covered in snow , the smaller side space requirement compared to skis is still an advantage.

However, figl are hardly suitable for deep powder snow or harsh snow . On the ski slopes there are usually no classic snow gliders, but figure-like short skis.

Apart from mountaineering, figl are also used as racing equipment. Despite declining trends, races with snow gliders are still held, such as the Austrian championships and European championships, which are contested by up to 150 starters from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Not inconsiderable speeds are achieved here: the world speed record from 1985 set by Dieter Vonier (only recorded in the paper edition of the Guinness Book of Records in 1988) is 136 km / h.

history

The beginnings of firn gliding go back to 1930. Karl Taul from Graz is named as the inventor of Figl, as is Emo Henrich (1922–2009) from Innsbruck , who had his Firngleiter patented in the early 1950s. Henrich, a member of the Innsbruck mountain club “Bergvagabunden”, constructed the first firn glider together with his club colleague Otto Streng. Series production began in 1955 and the Bergvagabunden organized the first Figlrennen as early as 1960. In 1961 the first publicly advertised Figlrennen took place, in 1966 regulations were drawn up. In 1972 the first Austrian championship took place, in 1984 the first (still unofficial) European championship. In 1986 the Austrian Ski Association created its own section for firn gliding for the first time. The first world championships took place in 1987 and 1989. In 1990 Figln was officially recognized as a sport in Austria and the first official championship was held, followed in 1995 by the FIS and the first official European championship. From 2000, the development of the fun carver followed as a further development of fir-gliding in competitive sports. Classic firn gliding in the alpine context, on the other hand, has remained largely unchanged in the decades since its invention.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ according to FIS regulations for Rennfigl
  2. ↑ 50 years of the Alpine Club Bergvagabunden . In: Austrian Alpine Association, Innsbruck Branch, Innsbruck Tourist Club, Innsbruck Academic Section (Ed.): Innsbruck Alpin . tape 3 , no. 2008 . Innsbruck June 2008, p. 23 .