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 getting better at skiing. Of course it's important to practice hard, but you can improve by using your favorite gear. So how do you choose your gear? Under this theme, ``skillful'' riders from various manufacturers who are active on the front lines gathered together. So we changed things up a bit and held cross-talks that transcended the boundaries of genres, from freestyle to basics to alpine.

This time, we have a conversation between Gen Sasaki, who is based in Niseko and is active in a wide range of situations from parks to free rides, and Takaya Kataoka, a young skier who is rising to prominence in the technical competition. What do the two of you think about the brand and gear?

It's light and follows your body movements - Gen Sasaki

Gen Sasaki (hereinafter referred to as Sasaki) Atomic has the image of supporting the world's top level alpine skiers. There are a lot of strong riders in freestyle, and the riders don't look like street gangsters, but rather tough guys.

Takaya Kataoka (hereinafter referred to as Kataoka): Even in the basic genre, it is ridden by top skiers, and I get the impression that it is a sharp and fast ski that goes vertically and doesn't make unnecessary turns. Among the "REDSTER" series, the red ski is for alpine use. There is a black type i series based on this, and we basic players use this. Made for Japan, it is easy to flex and is a good ski for technically minded people aiming to pass the exam.

Sasaki freestyle bikes are in a different direction, and the ``BENT'' series that I mainly ride is light and easy to handle. Even if you jump in the backcountry, it will follow your body movements without stress in the air. It really suits my style of riding slopestyle in the backcountry.

Absorb vibrations, flex and move freely - Takaya Kataoka

Kataoka: The i series ``S9i PRO'' and ``G9 RS'' that I use are high-end models used in technical competitions. A vibration absorbing material called Revoshock has the property of suppressing flapping. Now equipped with the ICON binding used in the World Cup, it is now possible to move more freely while providing center flex. I'm good at bumps, but I think the movement will be better and it will match the ski better.

Sasaki freestyle, which lowers the center of gravity and is lighter. The setup with "BENT" and Strive is lightweight and useful when you want to spin around in the air. I put the bindings in the center so that I can ski both regular and switch, but the shorter the nose, the harder it is to float powder. However, the nose and tail have a bottom shape called Horizon Tech, which gives it buoyancy. The thickness ranges from 85mm to 120mm, and although it is light, it has good gliding and running performance, so it is recommended for everyone. Even people without power can play by bending it. It is suitable for Japan's soft snow and performs well.

Kataoka i series is also finely divided into types, from hard expert models to flexible models, giving you a wide range of choices. The completeness of the lineup is one of Atomic's strengths.

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Text＝Chiho Kuriyama

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