This is a spin-off project from
a conversation between Taisuke Kusunoki and Koga Hoshino, in which they discuss their respective skiing styles We'll be focusing on the FACTION skis they use and their impressions of the gear they use.
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Editorial Department: Who are each other's favorite skiers?
Kusunoki/Hoshino: Hmm, I guess it would have to be Candid (Tovex)
Hoshino: I have a lot of favorite skiers, but Candide is in a class of his own. Sammy is good too
Kusunoki: I guess he is a god after all
Editorial Department: Candid has ended its partnership with FACTION and moved on to original projects
Hoshino: That's right, I don't know if I can say this, but yeah, Candid's boards were the best, haha. They have
a Candid-like shape, and are really strong vertically, so it's fine even if the snow surface is bumpy. They also suited my style, the choppy style.
Kusunoki: Me too. When I put on skis, I have a firm vertical line
Hoshino: That's right. Speed is really cool
Editorial Department: Both of you were influenced by Candide and wore FACTION shoes, but do you feel that his DNA is present in the new lineup, or what aspects of FACTION do you think are unique to them?
Kusunoki: The shoes I'm wearing are from the Mana series, MANA4, and I get the impression that they carry on the spirit of Candid
Hoshino: I mainly use the Prodigy3 for parks. The Prodigy2 is a little lacking, so I use the Prodigy3 for all-around fun. Taisuke, the Mana series is light, isn't it?
Kusunoki: Yeah, it's gotten a lot lighter
Hoshino: You're using Marker DUKE PT bindings. What do they feel like?
Kusunoki: I was surprised at how light my feet felt. It was easy to lift my legs, and it felt like my legs were lifting up smoothly
Hoshino: Yes, yes. It's really great for climbing too
Kusunoki: It's also a little soft. The nose and tail are stiff and the center is a little soft, so it feels fun to ride. I feel like it could be a little stiffer
Hoshino: I see. It's a little thin overall
Kusunoki: Yes, the overall volume of the board has gotten thinner and it feels lighter. There's also zero camber. I felt like I didn't need camber.
Originally I did moguls and I turn by using my knees a lot, so for people like me this might be really interesting. It's super easy to ski. Surprisingly so. You can even go on fairly hard surfaces without camber. Well, but which one is more difficult, haha? For me it's really easy though. It's
more for the general public than CT. It feels less heavy on rough ground than CT, but it's more agile than that.
Hoshino: It looks like you're moving effortlessly. Also, Taisuke, where do you attach your bindings?
Kusunoki: I put it 2cm back from the center. (Editor's note: Center = exactly half the length of the ski)
Hoshino: It's about 4cm forward from the recommended position. I thought it was definitely too far forward
Kusunoki: That's right. When you wear them, it feels like they're attached to the front, but I personally think they have a great balance
Hoshino: What about during CT?
Kusunoki: It was exactly the same during the CT scan. 2cm back from the center
Hoshino: MANA, that's a nice board
Editorial Department: Thank you very much. Now, please give us your impressions of the skis that you each use
Taisuke Kusunoki's impressions of MANA4
PREMIUM LIGHTWEIGHT POWDER
MANA4
L=177, 184, 190cm D=144-119-137mm R=23m
It's the successor to the CT series, or rather, a series that inherited its legacy.
The Mana series ranges from 1 to 4, and if you want to ski on natural terrain, this (the MANA series) is the one for you.
The key point is the zero camber. Some people say that skiing on slopes is difficult without camber, but I use this one board for everything from icy slopes to powder. It's
a board that lets you ski without going against the natural terrain. Rather than using the board's rebound (with zero camber), you feel the terrain with your feet.
When skiing on natural terrain, camber often feels like it gets in the way, so the zero camber and this subtle rocker are a perfect match, and I think that's what makes it so great. I liked this board from the moment I got on it.
I think you'll be shocked when you try them on, everyone
It's a little softer than the CT series, making it easier to handle.
It's incredibly light underfoot, so it's incredibly easy to pull (to ski). And yet, it's a strong board. Some people don't like hard boards, and some like soft boards, but this feels like a board that's a perfect middle ground.
If you're a fan of backcountry and powder and can't decide, you should go for this one. It's definitely a ton of fun.
Koga Hoshino's impressions of PRODIGY3
ALL-MOUNTAIN FREERIDE TWIN TIP
PRODIGY 3
L=172, 178, 184, 190cm D=133-106-125mm R=20m
The board I ride is a Prodigy 3.0.
I use it at all ski resorts, including parks and free runs.
If I'm only going to ski in the park, I'll ride the 2.0, but the 3.0 feels like a board that I can ride all day from morning to evening without changing boards. The flex is softer than the 2.0, so it's suitable for buttering and playing on the terrain.
And the graphics. Starting with the 2022-2023 season, neon-colored illustrations have been added, making the board more striking, which is also great.
I position the bindings 1.5cm (from center), which makes for a strong landing and gives the feeling of being able to drop vertically even on uneven ground.
There's rocker in the nose and tail, and the rocker rise and flex are great for buttering on park tables and other equipment.
(Note: The skis in the video are the 2021-2022 model.)
Photo=Takahiro Nakanishi Instagram @tokonamekin
Movie=Mighty Jamming Film Works Instagram @mighty_jamming_film_works