A spin-off project from
a conversation between Taisuke Kusunoki and Koga Hoshino about their skiing styles Let's take a closer look at each other's FACTION and impressions of the gear they use.
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Editorial Department: Who is your favorite skier?
Kusunoki/Hoshino: No, I think it's Candid (Tovex).
Hoshino: There are many skiers I like, but Candid is special and cool. Sammy is good too.
Kusunoki: After all, it's a god, isn't it?
Editorial department: Candid dissolved the partnership with FACTION and moved to the original project.
Hoshino: Well, I don't know if I should say it, but yeah, Candid's board was the best, lol.
It's shaped like a candid, or rather, it's very strong vertically, and it's fine even if the snow surface is bumpy. It matched my style, Chokkari style.
Kusunoki: Me too. When you put on skis, the vertical line is solid.
Hoshino: That's right. After all, the speed is cool, isn't it?
Editorial department: Both of you were influenced by Candid and wore FACTION, but in the new line-up, can you feel his DNA? ?
Kusunoki: I'm wearing MANA4 from the Mana series, and I have the impression that it's inheriting Candid's will.
Hoshino: I use Prodigy3 mainly in parks. Prodigy2 is a little unsatisfactory, so Prodigy3 is an all-rounder. Taisuke, the Mana series is light, isn't it?
Kusunoki: Yes, it has become much lighter.
Hoshino: You're wearing marker DUKE PT bindings. how do you feel
Kusunoki: I was surprised at how light my feet were. It's easy to raise your legs, or the image of your legs coming up.
Hoshino: Yes yes. It's really good, even for climbing.
Kusunoki: Also, I think it's a little softer. She's stiff in the nose and tail and a little softer in the center, so she's fun to ride. I feel like I should be a little stiffer.
Hoshino: I see. It's a little thin overall.
Kusunoki: That's right, overall the boards are thinner and lighter.
Zero camber. I felt like I might not need camber. If you used to do moguls, you would turn with a feeling that you used a lot of knees, so that kind of person might be really interesting.
Super easy to glide on. I'm surprised. Even without camber, you can go to hard places. Well, but I wonder if it's difficult, lol. I'm very easy. More general purpose than CT. Rough terrain gives the impression that it is less heavy than CT, but it is more light than that.
Hoshino: It feels like it's moving lightly. Also, Taisuke, where do you put your bindings?
Kusunoki: I'm two centimeters back from the center. (Editor's note: do center = exactly half the length of the ski)
Hoshino: About four centimeters ahead of the recommended position. I thought it was definitely ahead of its time.
Kusunoki: Yes. When you wear it, it feels like it's attached to the front, but personally, it's a great balance.
Hoshino: What about CT?
Kusunoki: It's exactly the same during the CT. 2 cm back from the center.
Hoshino: MANA, it's a good board.
Editor: Thank you. Then, please give your impressions of the skis that each of you use.
Kusunoki Taisuke MANA4 impression
PREMIUM LIGHTWEIGHT POWDER
MANA4
L=177, 184, 190cm D=144-119-137mm R=23m
It's a successor to the CT series, or rather, it's a series that inherits that will.
There are 1 to 4 mana series, and if you want to ski on natural terrain, this (MANA series) is good without hesitation.
It's zero camber as a point.
Some people say that skiing on the slopes is difficult without camber, but I go from ice to powder with this one. A board that can slide without going against the natural terrain.
Rather than using the repulsion of the (zero camber) board, you feel the terrain under your feet. When I ski on natural terrain, I often feel that the camber interferes with the rebound, and the zero camber and this subtle rocker are a great match, and I think that's what it is. . It was a board that I liked from the moment I got on it.
I think you'll probably be shocked when you try them on, everyone.
Compared to the CT series, it feels a little softer and easier to handle.
The feet are very light, so it's very easy to pull (slide).
However, it is a strong board. Some people don't like hard things and others like soft things, but I feel like this board is a good middle ground. If you like backcountry, like powder, and are unsure, this is the one for you. Definitely a lot of fun.
Kouga Hoshino PRODIGY 3 Impressions
ALL-MOUNTAIN FREERIDE TWIN TIP
PRODIGY 3
L=172, 178, 184, 190cm D=133-106-125mm R=20m
My board is Prodigy 3.0.
I use the ski resort in total, such as park and free run.
If I only ski in the park, I would ride the 2.0, but I feel like the 3.0 is a board that I can ride from morning to evening without changing boards all day long.
The flex is softer than 2.0, so it is suitable for butter and terrain play. Also graphics.
From the 2022-23 season, neon-colored illustrations will appear on the board, making it a very impressive board, which is also good. I set the binding position to -1.5 cm (from the center), but it is strong on landing and has a feeling that it can be dropped vertically even on uneven ground.
Rocker in the nose and tail, good rocker rise and flex for buttering on the park item table.
(*The skis in the video are 21-22 season models)
Photo=Takahiro Nakanishi Instagram @tokonamekin
Movie=Mighty Jamming Film Works Instagram @mighty_jamming_film_works