Electronic ski machines now available in Chch

Press, 1 June 1989, Page 38

Electronic ski machines now available in Chch

The two latest acquisitions of a Christchurch sports shop, Ski Windsurf City, are im-pressive-looking machines both used for servicing skis. One, is a $30,000 electronically controlled stone-grinder, manufactured by Wintersteiger, of Austria. Described by the shopowner, Roo Thomas, as “the Rolls Royce of stonegrinders,” the machine has two speeds and a choice of eight main textures — a real advantage for racing and professional skiers where precision work is crucial.

After half-a-dozen skis have been ground, an electronic impulse within the Wintersteiger causes a diamond to dress the stone, giving what the manufacturers call a “a micro-racing finish.” Roo Thomas says, "We would employ one of the finer textures for wintry ice, and a coarser one for spring snow.”

The machine’s three functions, grinding, buffing, and edge-bevelling produce what Thomas calls “a complete rejuvenation” of the ski’s base.

The second machine, an associated Wintersteigermanufactured device is an extruder which lays a bonded polyethylene sole on the ski. in one smooth 90 second operation. The Wintersteiger machines stand behind the viewing window at the rear of the High Street shop.

Roo Thomas advises recreation skiers to have their skis serviced "after about 14 days on the snow,” and high performance skiers and racers after about half that time.