1971 (or so) – The WORST ski equipment ever invented was thrust on the market and we bought into it. The “Jet Stix” was a plastic rear support that attached to your boots and allowed you to do the “Jet Turn” – just like Jean Claude Killy! Unfortunately the ski magazines and manufacturers did not seem to tell us that the “jet turn” was a very subtle release of energy from the rear of the ski to accelerate out of a turn. It is supposed to be a very minor and short-lived rear flex. But all of the photos and cool pictures in the magazines showed people sitting back on their skis, tips flying in the air and “jetting” down the mountain! In reality, this set skiing back about 5 years and ruined many knees as skiers would “Jet Turn”, fall backwards twisting, and tear knee ligaments. Yes, I bought some Jet Stix. No, I never skied like Jean Claude Killy and I never had a date with any of the Lange Girls either. Pull your eyes away from her open ski suit and just look at that AWFUL ski technique – sitting way back and one arm completely behind her. The next photo in the series is sure to be one of her laying in a ski patrol toboggan with her left knee ligaments torn to shreds.
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