Photo/Go Ito
"DISRUPTION," which debuted in the 21st season, has made great strides
Feel the force from the snow surface, accelerate, and drop your skis towards the fall line. DISURUPTION, a category aimed at those who love speed and carving, has reorganized its lineup for the 2022 season
The 2021 season's categories of "speed performance," which focuses on turn speed, and "PISTE performance," which is all-mountain and allows you to enjoy turns, have been combined into one under the name "DISURUPTION." Within this, the lineup is divided into two categories: "DISURUPTION," which seeks harder, higher-speed skiing performance, and "DISURUPTION ALLIANCE," which is primarily suited to women's leg strength and technique. This follows the format of K2's other categories
Review of the lineup and concept
You can choose from a total of 16 models, including 9 "DISURUPTION" models and 7 "DISURUPTION ALLIANCE" models, depending on your physique, skiing skills, and desired preferences
The details of each model have not changed significantly since the 2021 season, with "Ti" standing for titanium, "C" for carbon, "M" for medium turn, and "S" for short turn, as before. Looking at each model according to this name makes it very easy to understand their purpose
In addition to the existing high-end models Mti, Sti, and SC, the DISURUPTION line-up for 2022 will also include the even higher-end Ti². Other than that, the lineup remains the same as for 2021, with the 82Ti, 78Ti, 78C, 76X, and 76. The DISURUPTION ALLIANCE line-up includes MTi and SC, as well as the 81Ti, 78C, 76C, 76, and 75
All K2 carving skis are equipped with a rocker mechanism. Almost all of the "DISURUPTION" models feature the "SPEED ROCKER" rocker + camber profile, which features low rocker at the nose and tail. This provides stability and maneuverability
Newly added to the lineup: Ti²
The highlight of the 2022 season is the newly added "DISURUPTION Ti²." This model is the top of the range in its category, and as the name suggests, it is characterized by incorporating twice as much titanium as the regular model
Performance comparable to GS skis. Thanks to the stability of titanium, the ski's performance at high speeds is unmatched.
First of all, the "DISURUPTION" series has three functions that allow you to make sharp turns
The first is DMD (DARK MATTER DAMPING), which helps the edges grip the snow better when initiating a turn. This polymer vibration damping material is placed near the contact edge, absorbing high-frequency vibrations that the titanium misses as you enter the turn
The second is POWERWALL, which uses an oversized ABS sidewall laminated into the wood core in the center of the ski, allowing the ski to flex by applying force directly to the edge
The third is the I-BEAM, a titanium beam running from tip to tail along the center of the ski, improving stability and precision in turns
The third feature of the DISURUPTION Ti² is that it doubles the amount of titanium, providing faster, more stable skiing than ever before. However, it cannot be denied that the increased amount of titanium means that the ski is not for everyone
What's the difference between this and the MTi? We hear from Taiga Tomii, winner of the All Japan Alpine Championships GS, about his impressions
The person who rode this model throughout the season was Nozawa Onsen native, alpine skier Taiga Tomii. He is a top-class skier who won the men's GS at the All Japan Alpine Championships held at Utara Ski Resort on the shores of Lake Akan this winter. What are his impressions of the DISURUPTION Ti², which he uses between races?
Winner of the 99th All Japan Championships GS
Instagram:@taiga_tomii
The "MTi" skis I rode in the 2021 season gave me the impression of being very flexible. The entire ski flexed beautifully, and the edges cut in well in the first half of the turn.
The "Ti²" skis I rode in the 2022 season gripped the snow surface and turned even better than the "MTi". However, they are stiffer than the "MTi". As there are two metal plates in the center of the ski, you need to exert force to control it when you pick up speed. On the other hand, the stability when you pick up speed is outstanding. It feels similar to the skis I use for giant slalom, which is my specialty.
It's like the entire ski flexes beautifully when you properly apply weight, such as your own weight and external forces, to the ski. I think that by matching stiff skis with stiff boots, you can transfer power more directly.
I also skied at Giant in Shiga Kogen between races, and there was no wobbling even on the practice race slope. With the "MTi", perhaps because it flexed so much, I was sometimes a little concerned about the wobbling of the tip and tail. I didn't feel that way with the "Ti²".
With performance comparable to GS skis, these skis will be enjoyable for expert skiers and racers to use during practice sessions, allowing them to fully appreciate their capabilities.
Check out this video of Tomii Taiga's skating. You can also see Sakamoto Gota riding the 82Ti
The full "DISURUPTION" lineup
Finally, let's introduce the entire "DISURUPTION" series other than Ti²
》DISURUPTION
Skiing fast over long distances with big turns
A perfect ski for descending mountains while smoothly connecting turns.
A model that uses carbon sheets instead of titanium. Lightweight and responsive are key features.
82mm waist width, ideal for freely skiing on slopes at any time of year.
A versatile model that can be enjoyed from the first corduroy run of the morning to the rougher runs of the afternoon.
Once you get hooked on edge-to-edge carving, you can enjoy an even higher level of speed with these skis.
A model with slightly less strength compared to the above model. Combined with an easy-to-handle rocker, this board makes various slopes more enjoyable.
Performance is the same as the 76X. The binding type is different.
Disruption Alliance
Women's Mti. The radius is smaller compared to the men's model.
Women's Sti. Dimensions are wider than the men's model. R is set tighter.
