Les carres très affûtées des skis de compétition sont de véritables lames de rasoir… et coupent tout autant. Si les accidents graves sont de plus en plus nombreux, c’est sans doute parce que nous n’avons pas conscience de la dangerosité de ces carres qui peuvent trancher plusieurs couches de vêtements et sectionner muscles et artères, causant des dommages irréversibles.
Les jeunes athlètes américains de la KMS (établissement ski-études partenaire du Comité) ont désormais l’obligation de porter des vêtements anti-coupures – un équipement d’ailleurs habituel pour les hockeyeurs d’Amérique du Nord. Ni la FIS ni la FFS ne l’exigent, mais par mesure de précaution, nous ne pouvons qu’encourager nos compétiteurs à porter ces sous-vêtements de protection spécifiques.
Où les trouver ?
Chez POC https://www.pocsports.com/eu/poc-layer-cut-suit-top/57011.html?cgid=snow-armor#start=1 https://www.pocsports.com/eu/poc-layer-cut-suit-bottom/57021.html?dwvar_57021_color=Uranium%20Black%2FHydrogen%20White&cgid=snow-armor#start=1
Chez Base360 http://base360.ca/
Extrait du message de Tom Sell, Alpine Director à la KMS (16/10/2019) : « Dear Parents, Last winter I sent an email regarding cut resistant underwear and other safety gear that we strongly believe every ski racer should wear, every time they are on the hill. Regardless of the discipline, or if it is a free ski session all athletes must take steps to minimize their risk of injury. While FIS, USSA and KMS require the use of helmets, no such rules exist for cut resistant undergarments, yet they are as important as a helmet, and must be worn every time an athlete is on snow.
We have heard of several severe cuts suffered by athletes in the east, and yesterday there was another incident in which a Burke athlete was severely cut during training on the indoor slope in Lithuania. Luckily his coaches had the necessary equipment to place a tourniquet and the athlete was transported to a hospital where he underwent surgery to repair the cut. Our coaches carry ‘ Stop the Bleed’ kits in their packs, and hope we never have to use them.
There are several brands of cut resistant undergarments available, and we would like each of our athletes to wear it every time they are on snow. We have been working with Base 360, a Canadian company which has been manufacturing gear for speed skating and hockey. They have developed a line of ski specific garments, which are now available. POC and Reliable Racing also have similar clothing, with panels of a cut resistant material placed at strategic locations.«
