Atomic ST 12pb 2008

Beautiful skis. the St 12pb’s are marketed as womens skis but they are also delightful as an easier alternative to the racy SL 12. Everyone on test loved this ski. They are just so grippy, so turny and so much fun. They are packed with energy, agility and are almost playful in the hands of an expert. Ideal for lighter men (in terms of kilos or lbs).
Superb slalom skis for the advanced to expert of either sex. highly recommended.

The manufacturer says this about the Atomic, ST 12pb, 2008:

`Highly versatile slalom racing ski. Also equipped with the latest Powerbridge technology, with a softer flex, but above all tuned to the racing needs of athletic racing skiers.

Atomic SL 10ib 2008

The SL 10’s are great slalom style skis. the sidecut is very much that of a slalom ski but the flex is toned down and the tail is less whippy than with a thoroughbred.
Advanced skiers will find that they can arc all day long on the SL 10 without exhaustion and experts will enjoy a more laid back ride than with the full-on SL 12pb.
The thing is with slalom skis is that they get you carving and enjoying a feeling of control over what you are doing on-snow than the normal gliding in thin air feeling. that is why so many ski instructors and professional skiers like to use skis with lot so of shape like this- the ski does the work for you.
Whilst not in full race territory the SL 10 is quite nippy and will give you lots of smiles for your bucks- i think they are a great and exciting pair of skis and every advanced skier should have a pair of slalom skis.

The manufacturer says this about the Atomic, SL 10ib, 2008:

Maximum performance on even the hardesst slopes. The new slalom ski for lovers of short and medium radii. versatile and easy to turn, this ski features an integral bridge and dual torsion bar for a perfect transmission of power and excellent edge grip.

Atomic Super B 2008

Top o the line women’s ski. Racy sidecut with a 68 mm will have you ripping up the pistes and hammering down any blacks. With a race derived construction this is a ski for those who want to be in control and power their way down the hill. The 16 m radius carve is good for faster medium radius arcs and the ski grips very well as one would expect from Atomic. If you’ve parked up your 911 and fancy something thrilling on-snow then give these a go.
The Super B is best in the hands of the experienced advanced ski or expert who likes to shred the piste.

The manufacturer says this about the Atomic, Super B, 2008:

The perfect allround ski for the most exacting sporting demands. Fast and safe. really shows what it can do in medium-long radii. Delivers optimal edge grip and perfect ski control even at high speeds. For girls who like to set the sparks flying on the slopes.

Head Raptor Race boots 2008!

Bold colour, bold design, 100% race-bred and 100% for the racer within you- the new Head raptors look amazing and felt stunningly snug upon the foot. Head only had one single boot at the test and it was a touch nippy to go skiing with only one boot so I can only talk of the design- this is a departure from the S-Line from this current season with a narrower but more ergonomic last which impresses with its accuracy. The buckles themselves have protectors over the ratchet to protect from opening due to impact with gates- this seems a great idea and I’m sure it works well but is a bit of “faff” when trying to clip up quickly and get skiing in a hurry.

There is also a well-thought-out double-strap that allows you to adjust the cuff depending upon the size of your calf muscle for a more accurate and comfortable fit. The very interesting triple bolts in the rear cuff will enable you to accurately tailor the flex and rebound of the boot for your method of skiing plus forward flex. All this combined with a new and improved liner will make the Raptors one of the most competitive boots on the market- certainly enough to battle with the likes of the Nordica Dobermann, Lange WC or Salomon LAB X2.

chris