This season, ski mountaineering – or SkiMo for short – is making its grand debut on the international stage. The focus is on the sprint, which is considered the fastest and most exciting discipline of the sport. But what’s really behind it? How does a sprint work, what’s important, and what equipment makes the difference in the race for seconds and medals? Here are the answers.
What is SkiMo Sprint?
The sprint combines everything that makes ski mountaineering: speed, technique, and tactics. This high-intensity race combines climbing, carrying sections, and descent on a compact course of 500 meters. A race lasts only about 2:40 minutes.
In World Cup races, the qualification comes first, where each athlete runs the course solo against the clock. The best 30 athletes reach the following elimination rounds. There, they start in a mass start or in small heats, similar to ski cross. The fastest athletes move on to the next round, until the medals are awarded in the final.
A typical sprint consists of four sections and three transition zones. The video explains this in detail.
SkiMo Sprint: This is what matters
Every second counts in the sprint. Successful athletes need to bring a perfect overall package:
- Explosiveness and strength for the climb.
- Quick changes and transitions – also called transitions – with precise technique.
- Strong departure control on tight courses.
- Tactical sense to act right in the heats.
Transitions are especially crucial, and they get practiced and perfected over and over in training. Under maximum time pressure, you need to take off the skis and attach them to the backpack, pull off the skins for the descent and stash them away, and switch the shoes to downhill mode.
DYNAFIT DNA products for SkiMo Sprint
With the DNA line, DYNAFIT is specifically targeting competitive athletes who operate at the highest level – developed by athletes for athletes. Besides being ultra-lightweight and delivering maximum performance, the focus is mainly on intuitive, quick handling. Smart details and well-thought-out features save valuable time during transitions – and can make the difference between winning or losing.
Within the DNA competition line, DYNAFIT offers special products that have been specifically developed for SkiMo sprints. These are exclusively available at the DYNAFIT store in Kiefersfelden.
DNA Sprint Ski
Fast and ultra-light: only 650 g (160 cm). The DNA Sprint Ski is a minimalist competitor with optimal power transfer on the descent. The narrow 61 mm ski waist enables agile climbing performance on narrow uphill sections and ensures maximum precision on downhill sections. The specially shaped ski tail makes it easier to hook into the backpack attachment – for quick, efficient changes without losing time.
DNA Sprint binding
Designed for maximum performance in sprint competitions: The DNA Sprint binding allows for particularly fast and intuitive changes thanks to the enlarged grip zone at the heel piece and locking lever. The full aluminum construction ensures minimal weight (130 g) and maximum reliability. The one-handed operated race stopper has an integrated climbing aid. The brake arms are designed to be perfectly compatible with the ski attachment of the DNA race backpack.
DNA Pro by Pierre Gignoux touring ski boot
At only 510 g (size 26), it’s the lightest touring ski boot in the world: The innovative high-tech boot from Pierre Gignoux is made entirely of high-quality carbon and, thanks to maximum efficiency and stiffness, belongs to its own (competition) class.
DNA Sprint pole
The DNA Sprint pole is consistently designed for the demands of a sprint race. A minimalist race plate, the special sprint loop, and the extremely stiff shaft ensure maximum power transfer and uncompromising performance at a weight of just 135 g.
DNA Sprint backpack
The most important tool for efficient and quick transitions: Developed in close collaboration with the DYNAFIT athlete team, the DNA Sprint backpack (220 g) focuses on perfect handling. The asymmetrical back pocket ensures correct and stable placement of the skis. The ski attachment with loop and hook can be individually adjusted.
DNA helmet
Uncompromising protection, focused on the essentials: The ultra-lightweight (300 g in size S/M), well-ventilated DNA ski touring race helmet is hardly noticeable yet offers the highest safety with triple certification.
Ready to #speedup
We can hardly wait for the starting signal for the sprint and we’re rooting for all the athletes!
