Quote:
Originally Posted by Coton90
Was this picture taken when some of the World Cup matches were played in Kaiserslautern? I noticed the Stade KL sign. I was working there at the time.
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Actually it's in Les Arcs where they have a KL "Kilomètre Lancé" (Flying K) ski run, and where the world speed record was set a couple of years ago at 150mph plus. It's basically a perfectly straight run, that starts off at an incredibly steep angle, and where the racers have specialised equipment (aerodynamic clothing/helmet/boots, super long skis around 2.5 metres long).
A dangerous sport, ironically I am actually typing this post on a computer that once belonged to an English girl who sadly died a couple of years ago doing just that, preparing for the world championship finals in April. As you can see from the gear they wear, if you fall over on such a steep slope near the top, there is zero friction to slow you down... I took this photo at the bottom where the speed is measured as they pass two speed guns - here at the maximum speed, ca. 130-150+mph...
