January/February 2008 Features  |
Rossignol Nordic products see some of the most extensive changes of any brand for 2007-2008. Significant among those in the race category is the move away from the longtime red/silver color scheme to Solar, a bright orange. At one millimeter narrower, Rossi’s skate skis take on a slightly trimmer profile. The venerable Cobra cut has been replaced by a new X-ium skating ski side cut of 40/44/43/43 and now comes with a full length carbon deck and thicker internal side wall, which combine for greater stability. Gone, too, is Dual Tech construction, replaced by this 3D shaped ski. The X-ium still sports a strong camber for improved glide. Two models are available, NIS 1 for high speed skiing and NIS 2 as an overall ski. The old F1, F2, F3 nomenclature has also been abandoned and the former F3 level ski is gone also. Rossignol X-iums will come only with the NIS.
On the classic side of the equation, there are no changes in construction, but skis will come with the new Solar color. Rossi’s classic skis retain the Sure Kick concept. Three classic levels will be available: C1 – a lower camber soft condition powder ski; C2 – an all around ski; and C2-AR with the Rossi waxless kick zone. Delta and Max skis will see only cosmetic changes for 2007-2008, and both will be available only with NIS bindings. This will be the first year the Delta model will use the NIS system. Zynex skis will also have cosmetic changes and will now be built around an LDC – Low Density Core. Otherwise its construction remains the same. In the Evo family, the Evo 2 adopts a black base and the Evo Action a posi-track base. There will be no changes in the Evo Trail or Glade AR. Rossignol’s 2007-2008 edition of the X-Tour traditional length ski rolls out a new top-of-theline, ultra-light version with a narrower sidecut, the X-Tour Ultralite. The X-Tour Escape has a heavier wood core, but otherwise the construction is similar. BC families remain relatively unchanged except for new cosmetics. The BC line all sport steel edges and are sized to run a full spectrum of use from 50 percent in-track/50 percent out-of-track in the new BC55 to BC 65 (70 percent off-trail/30 percent on-trail), BC 70 (90 percent off-trail/10 percent on-trail) and the BC90, a 100 percent off-trail ski. There will be new cosmetics for all skis in Rossignol’s telemark/AT category with hot new graphics on the top sheet and the use of the classic Rossignol red, white and blue rooster on the base of the Sickbird, Powderbird, Dirtybird, Ripchick and Hipchick. Otherwise, product names and sidecuts remain unchanged.
X-ium WC level boots will have more lycra at the top and are also changing color to Solar. The cuff, made from a composite material, will have the same weight and stiffness. Skate, classic and pursuit models are all available in regular and low volume, the boots will come in half sizes with a specific last. They will also be thermo adjustable. The former X-ium boots are now known as the X11. Elsewhere in the line, the X9 group (skate, classic and pursuit) remains the same while the X7 boots, X7 Skate and X7 combi, see only cosmetic changes. Rossi’s top selling X5 boot gains a lace cover upgrade and color change and the X3 boot gets an upgraded upper, new cover lacing and color. Both gain new ankle stabilization. The X1 Ultra also has a new cover lacing and liner sole.
Completely new offerings for women will debut from the top to bottom of the line, including skis, boots, bindings and poles. Construction will be similar to unisex skis, but with more women-specific aesthetics and a new visual appearance. The new women-specific look will run through the entire line, from the X-ium women’s ski with X-ium World Cup FW boots to the Attraxion 1 with X fashion boots.
The FW Skate is the X-ium Skate offering mounted with NIS 2. It is available in smaller sizes and has a classic counterpart, the NIS C2. Saphir Skate and Classic (the women’s equivalent of the Max) now sport a look that matches the X9 boot. There is also a matching color Saphir pole. The FW counterpart to the Evo is comprised of the Attraxion 2 with Activ cap and positrack base; the Attraxion 1 with a cut base and the Attraxion XT is a longer classic model. The composite pole line has also been completely revamped: the World Cup in 100 percent carbon lite and a 7mm tip shaft and the Race, in 99 percent carbon and a 9 mm shaft at the tip. Second-tier poles include the Graphite at 95 percent carbon and the Composite with 65 percent carbon. Next is the Carbon pole, at 35 precent carbon, with either a cork grip or a bi-density grip, then the Alutec aluminum pole. Also new is the F4 NIS (exercise) binding, a less expensive version of NIS binding. |
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