Finish Line impact bags

[Hans Koraeus]

I have discussed this topic with Jani and I had also the idea that the high jump mattresses could be something that could work. I remember using those in the Swiss competition in Hombrechticon many years ago. But with the speed at Trocadero you would need more than one to take on the chock I guess.

[John Gilmour]

I think that the Paris race at the Trocadero could be made a lot longer if we had such impact bags. As a rider I would be willing to pay an extra $10 entry fee for such bags. It would easily offset the cost of the shoes I would save. Hopefully they might also save some people from footdragging type falls as well.


The Trocadero is a great slope and great surface in a great location...it would seem a pity not to use the whole hill.

[Claude Regnier]

Pierre, sorry that is a lousy Idea!

The high Jump pits are the best thing we can hope for. They are approximately between 24 and 36" high and will absord a rider without injury.

They should be fairly easy to rent from a school or Track Club.

[Etienne de Bary]

another idea i had recently (for the Troca) is to use a tennis or volleyball net, as high as the belly, so that riders would pass arms over it.
the thing would be hung on poles thru what we call here tendeurs [tighteners ?] or sandows: long flexible cords with hooks to fix luggages on a roof or so,
so the thing would hold you and stop you in a rather progressive way

in Paris the idea does not seem to fit their relationship to danger, but here ...

[Etienne de Bary]

empty cardboard boxes are interesting too (but one use)

[Scott Peer]

There are a few options that I know of. Bob Pereyra used to borrow gymnastics mattresses from a nearby school. For the Mammoth race,
the ski area has offered their protective mattresses for loan. I believe ReliableRacing.com should have some of the ones for ski racing available for purchase. I've taken an even cheaper and easier route: stuffing styrofoam chunks and peanuts into heavy duty trash compactor bags.

[John Gilmour]

Does anyone know where you get these. Track and field uses them for the high jump- I would like to find some in expensive inflatable bags. Hay bales are not soft and make a mess and are hardly portable.