What the Supershape i.Magnum has to do with the Nobel Prize in Physics
15.1.2019
Translation: machine translated
Even a ski can be confusing. What does KERS stand for? What do ABS sidewalls do? What is graphene? So much technical jargon when all I want to do is try out the bestseller "Head Supershape i.Magnum". It's difficult to understand, but easy to ride.
Coming from a super successful family can be a burden. I don't have it. The "Head Supershape i.Magnum" does. The skis in this product line have sold millions of units, and there is even talk here and there of the best-selling ski in the world. My expectations are correspondingly high. The bestseller is supposed to make me a better skier, because this race carver has a reputation for being the perfect all-rounder for advanced skiers. Put it on, start skiing and feel good, says the product description. Oh yes, order it first.
Do it yourself? A matter of adjustment
A ski from the internet is new territory for me. I read that the "PRD 12 GW" binding is included in the set, but I'm getting ready for a lot. What can I expect? Drilling, screwing, hammering? Torn cruciate ligaments due to amateurish assembly? One solution would be to have the set fitted directly by Galaxus.
That would be too easy. Besides, it has to be quick and the skis fit much better in my luggage without the bindings fitted. I take the individual parts with me and am pleasantly surprised before the first day of skiing. I packed the tools for nothing. The base plate is already on the ski, the other parts can be easily pushed into the guide rail and locked in place with levers. After five minutes, everything is fitted and adjusted to the sole length of my ski boots. Looks tiptop. Which doesn't necessarily mean anything. And the binding hasn't been adjusted for me yet either.
That's why my next stop is Glatthard Sport in Hasliberg Reuti, where you can find nice people who are definitely better at this than me. For a voluntary donation to the coffee fund, they set up the binding for me. Without guarantee and check on the tester, but professionally. I take the residual risk of skiing without a bfu test and ask what kind of ski I've got with the Supershape. "It's a great all-round ski, it almost skis itself," I'm told. I smile, say thank you and am all the more excited about these skis with autopilot.
Wow, Nobel Prize!
Before the i.Magnum shows what it's made of on the piste, I take a closer look at it. Next to the brand name, the poison green ski is adorned with an eye-catching G, which stands for graphene. An extremely light and hard carbon compound that even earned physicists Konstantin Novoselov and Andre Geim the Nobel Prize in 2010. This compound is used in the Supershape and is designed to make it stable and agile. Titanal and glass fibre layers are also included. Optimally protected by ABS sidewalls that cushion impacts towards the steel edge, the result is a WC sandwich cap construction. In addition, the KERS technology is designed to stiffen the ski at the end of the turn and thus provide more pressure and speed. To be honest, that means little to nothing to me. But: Wow, Nobel Prize! Before I freeze in awe, I'd better go skiing.
"Everything rides Shape, Shape rides the whole nation"
The i.Magnum doesn't disappoint. Yes, it feels good from the very first moment. It's grippy, easy to turn and runs like it's on rails. It takes no time at all to get used to, and it forgives technical shortcomings. I'm not an ace skier, but I'm a decent all-rounder and pretty much fit the bill. Although Head also defines this quite broadly:
"Whether young or old. Small or tall. Whether fat or thin. The Supershape i. Magnum is the ski of the hour for advanced skiers."
Aha. I train my Supershape eye and discover it everywhere on the piste, in gondolas, at huts. Time for a little survey. The first candidate gets into the gondola with me, is in his mid-forties and slightly stocky. More of an inverted waist like the i.Magnum, whose measurements are 131-72-110 for my ski length of 170 centimetres. Supershapers among themselves - a great topic for small talk. "What do you think of the ski?" I ask. "It's sublime," I'm told. Whether on or off the piste, the man is absolutely satisfied. The next person I ask about his experiences also has nothing to say about the ski. A trend is emerging. Whether fat or thin, young or old - I don't hear anything bad about the i.Magnum and I have nothing to criticise myself. The only thing is that the poisonous green colour seems to put women off. I mainly see men between 25 and 50 using this model. According to my observations, the ladies tend to favour the red Supershape i.Rally.
First impression
The Supershape i.Magnum is not exclusive. But as a sporty all-rounder, it's pretty good. After five days, I can say that there are reasons why this ski from Head is a bestseller. As a reasonably experienced skier (or rider!), you can't go wrong with it, you can carve nicely and can be on the move quickly. I got used to it straight away. The only disadvantage: risk of confusion! With a ski from the Supershape line, you'll hardly be the only one at a hut.
Michael Restin
Senior Editor
Michael.Restin@digitecgalaxus.chSimple writer and dad of two who likes to be on the move, wading through everyday family life. Juggling several balls, I'll occasionally drop one. It could be a ball, or a remark. Or both.
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