January/February 2008 Features  |
Of all the change is the cross country ski industry over the past couple of years, Fischer’s switch to the NNN system ranks among the most significant. All bindings and boots are affected, with several skis, including all racing models, now offered with the Nordic Integrated System (NIS). Most skis will still also be offered flat (no binding system).
Fischer’s new Computer Flex Control (CFC) process electronically measures a ski every two millimeters to match the individual flex curves of every ski produced. Two hundred skis are then analyzed and matched by computer for optimum pairing to insure that each ski within a pair will have a matching flex. In 2007-2008 this process will be applied to the Carbonlite, RCS and RCR models. For 2007-08 Fischer Carbonlite and now the RCS and RCR model skis will come pre-waxed with fluorinated hot wax that is heated by infrared light following the grinding process. This process reduces base prep time and makes for faster skis in less time. Fischer’s Diamond Tuned Grinding (DTG) has been fine-tuned this year, based on testing and feedback from World Cup athletes, and now offers measurable improvements in racing times. The Plus Structure is created with natural diamond and the Cold (a finer, smoother structure) uses a synthetic diamond. Performance results showed 1.5 to 3 percent faster, or about two seconds per minute. Fischer’s AirTec construction will now be made of Fuma wood, an environmentally-friendly, fast growing and abundant tree source in Asia, Africa and South America. Fuma wood offers a 60gr savings in weight on the SC models.
Fischer’s RCS Carbonlite Skate will be available with Cold and Plus bases and stiff flex with the Nordic Integrated System (NIS) or flat. All skate sizes come with Worldcup sidecut in lengths of 177, 182, 187 and 192. The RCS Carbonlite Classic will be available in the Plus base, with soft and medium flex options. Classic sizes include 192, 197, 202 and 207. The sidecut is arrow-shaped, 41-44-44. The RCS Crown is a new model for 2007-08 and will be available in medium and stiff flexes, with Nordic Integrated System (NIS) and flat in sizes 177 and 187 through 207 with the arrow-shaped sidecut. The entire line will feature new graphics. In the Junior line, there’s a new SC skate at a better price point with graphics similar to the full size versions.
For 2007-08, Fischer’s Vision collection has trickled up into the higher performance categories. The Vision Skate Pro is based on RCR construction and will be offered in NIS-only in both skate and classic versions. Each will have two stiffness categories. Vision Skate and Vision Classic models also join the performance category. These models feature the new Fuma based AirTec construction with lighter weight. Details include: Vision Skate Pro NIS - medium and stiff flex and Worldcup sidecut in lengths of 167-182; Vision Classic Pro NIS - soft and medium flex and arrow sidecut of 41-44-44 in lengths of 177-202; Vision Skate - Skatecut sidecut in lengths of 162-182; and Vision Classic - arrow sidecut of 41-44-44 in lengths of 177-202. All Vision sport/recreational models continue to be based on the popular Nordic Cruising Series that features the Vision Camber, a lower and longer camber pocket designed specifically for women skiers. All models in this category -- Elegance, Mystique, Passion and Desire -- are offered pre-mounted and boast strong new graphics to appeal to women skiers. The Elegance and Mystique models are designed with the new lightweight Fuma AirTec construction. Elegance is the lightest and narrowest of the series for in-track performance with sport and advancing intermediate skiers in mind. Skiers will see improved maneuverability resulting from a new sidecut of 43/41/48/42/45. Mystique is a ski for entry-level through intermediate recreational skiers for use both in-track and out and has a sidecut of 45/43/50/45/47. The Vision Passion is an entry-level ski for infrequent skiers for both in- and out-of-track skiing. It will be available with a sidecut of 50/48/55/50/52. Finally, there’s the Vision Desire, an attractively priced ski/binding entry-level package with a sidecut of 45/43/50/45/47. All come in sizes S (164), M (174), L (184) and all have updated graphics. The Vision Cruiser boot is now NNN based, and Vision poles are also available. Fischer’s Crown Tech waxless base sees the introduction of Micro-Steps: additional pattern applied to the skis for improved grip. The Micro-Step pattern will be found on the Elegance and Mystique models. Traditional length skis see no change for 2007-2008, while Fischer’s Jib Skate has a new size of 141. While Fischer’s Back Country line (Country Crown, Country Wax and E99 Crown) remains largely unchanged except for graphics, the S-Bound line sees a number of new additions. The six-ski S-Bound line is divided into two sub-categories, Grip and Turn, with corresponding distinction in graphics. The Grip group, Inbound Outbound and Snowbound, are progressively beefier and more aggressive in edge technology. While turning is still in the repertoire, this group of skis will tour you from point A to B with good glide and climbing ease. The Turn group, Rebound, Outtabounds and Boundless, are significantly wider, use Fischer raised platform S-Deck and more dramatic sidecuts. These skis emphasize easier turning, control and maneuverability. Fischer Boots are all new for 2007-08 – a complete new line. Besides the obvious change in the sole, due the binding shift to NNN, a number of other new features and upgrades have been introduced. Significant among these is the discontinuation of the cuffless Centrix boot line. From the top down, Fischer’s race boot line includes features such as Team Cuff Pro, Rapid Lock Buckle, Speed Lock lacing system, Thrermo fit and twin ski concept.
RC5 is Fischer’s top-level racing boot, the RC5 Combi is the same as the RC5, but with a softer sole, and the RC5 Classic has a low racing cut inner boot design, heel fit strap and arch support sock liner. All use the NNN R3 binding interface. With an elastic neoprene cover and an R2 NNN skating sole, the RC3 Skating boot also has an individually adjustable Team Cuff. Its classic counterpart, the RC3 classic, is a high-cut racing boot with a softer flex and designed for maximum stability. All of the racing boots are unisex sized. The Vision Skate and Classic high-performance women’s boots now have a ladies last. The Vision Skate has the Team Cuff Comp and many of the same features as the Racing line. The Vision classic offers the Ladies Fit Concept and a soft sole flex.
Fischer’s sport and Nordic cruising line-up include: the NC Active Cruiser, a Thinsulate insulated, high cuff, neoprene covered touring boot; the XC Control with an ankle support cuff and Power Strap; and the XC Comfort and XC Sport – mid- and entry-level touring boots. There is also a corresponding women’s line: Vision Cruiser, Control Women, Comfort Women and Sport Women with Ladies Fit and different graphics. A four-boot BC line starts with the BCX 6 with Heel Cap, high upper shaft and double Power Straps. The BCX 675 is the same boot, but with a 75mm sole. The BCX 4 is an entry level BC boot, with a women’s counterpart, the BCX 4 Women. Junior boots include top-line skate and classic racing boots, the XJ Sprint, a high quality children’s and junior’s boot, and the Snowstar, a colorful, attractive junior boot. Fischer’s entire pole collection for 2007-08 will be designed and built by Fischer. The expanded pole collection moves into the high performance category with high molecular construction. The RCS Carbonlite pole has an Ultra High Molecular Carbon shaft and is offered both as a kit and fully assembled. The complete kit includes pole bag, shaft with assembled basket, grip with assembled strap, length chart and instructions, glue and extra baskets. Kit sizes include lengths of 155 and 175. Fully assembled sizes run from 140-175cm in 2.5cm increments. The RCS pole is 100 percent high molecular carbon and is also offered as a kit or fully assembled. The RC9, RC7 and RC5 have 80, 40 and 20 percent carbon fiber respectively. All other sport and recreational poles will be updated with new graphics. |
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