ATOMIC Gen Sasaki x Takaya Kataoka｜SKIER'S TALK ROOM -Let's talk about gear-

"Let's talk about gear. It might help you get better quickly."

Everyone has their own way of improving at skiing. While practicing hard is of course important, using your favorite gear also helps you improve. So how do you choose your gear? This was the theme that brought together some of the most skilled riders at the forefront of skiing, belonging to various manufacturers. So, we decided to change things up a bit and hold a cross-talk across genres, from freestyle to basics and alpine

This time, we have a conversation between Gen Sasaki, who is based in Niseko and is active in a wide range of scenes from parks to freeride, and Takaya Kataoka, a promising young skier who is making a name for himself in technical competitions. What are their thoughts on brands and gear?

It's light and follows the movement of your body - Gen Sasaki

Gen Sasaki (hereinafter referred to as Sasaki): I think of Atomic as supporting the world's top alpine skiers. They also have many strong freestyle riders, and the riders seem tough, not like street gangsters.

Takaya Kataoka (hereafter Kataoka): Even in the basic category, top skiers ride these skis, and they give the impression of being sharp and fast skis that move vertically and don't make unnecessary turns. In the "REDSTER" series, the alpine skis are red. There is also the black i-series based on these, which we basic skiers use. They are made for the Japanese market, and are good skis for technically-oriented skiers aiming for certification, as they are easy to flex.

Sasaki: Freestyle skiing is a different direction. The BENT series that I mainly ride is light and easy to handle. Even when I jump in the backcountry, it follows my body movements in the air without any stress. It suits my style perfectly, which is to carry the slopestyle style of skiing into the backcountry.

Absorbs vibrations and flexes for free movement - Takaya Kataoka

Kataoka: The i-series "S9i PRO" and "G9 RS" skis I use are high-end models used in technical competitions. They feature a vibration-absorbing material called RevoShock that reduces flapping. The ICON bindings used in the World Cup are now installed, allowing for more flexibility in the center and greater freedom of movement. I'm good at moguls, and I think the movement has improved and the skis are a good match.

Sasaki: There's also a binding called Strive for freestyle skiing, which has a lower center of gravity and is lighter. The "BENT" and Strive setup is light and useful when you want to spin in the air. I attach the bindings in the center so I can ski regular or switch, but a shorter nose makes it harder to float in powder. However, the nose and tail have a boat-shaped design called Horizon Tech, which provides buoyancy. They come in widths from 85mm to 120mm, and while they're light, they offer excellent glide and traction, so I recommend them to anyone. Even those without power can bend them and have fun. They perform well in Japan's soft snow.

The Kataoka i series also has a wide range of options, from hard expert models to more flexible models. The comprehensiveness of this lineup is another strength of Atomic.

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Text＝Chiho Kuriyama

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