Kicksled
A kick sledge or Spark (short for Swedish sparkstötting ) is a locomotion and sports device that is particularly widespread in Scandinavia . It can be used on ice and snow and is often used as a bicycle replacement in winter.
In the traditional design, a kick sledge is used to transport two people and consists of a chair built on two wooden or metal runners , with two handles attached to the backrest as handlebars. By twisting the wrought iron runners, the sled can be steered with a transport load in larger radii (several meters). One person is allowed to take a seat and is pushed on the sled by a second person. The pusher can stand on the runners on sloping and sliding sections. Modern sports kicks do not have a seat, but only consist of runners and handlebars.
As early as the late 19th century, kick sledding was a popular sport in Scandinavia and was therefore also one of the disciplines at the Nordic Games that were held until 1926 . As a result, the kick sledge was viewed more as a plaything than a sports device, but in winter it is also a practical means of transport, especially in rural areas. It was not until the 1990s that Finland started to develop again towards professional sport. Since 1988, the Finnish municipality of Multia has hosted the kicksledding world championships every year.
literature
- Göran Rosander: Sparkstöttingar . Nordiska Museet, Stockholm 1995, ISBN 91-7108-385-5 .
