The Speed of the Early Years

In the spirit of the daring pioneers of the 1930s, Harry Egger is trying to set a new record for the highest speed ever reached on skis. Among his modern aids: laser technology.

Egger's idea behind the project is built on attempts in the 1930s by skiers. Egger feels indebted to the spirit of these early speed pioneers, such as Gustav Lantschner of Innsbruck, who in 1930 attained a speed of 105.7 kph on wooden skis in Saint Moritz. Or Lantschner’s compatriot Leo Gasperl, who a year later hit 136.6 kph, successfully using a leather backpack that he had made himself in the shape of a whale shark’s fin in order to reduce drag.

Back-pack designed in the Formula 1 Lab

Harry Egger calls his backpack “Emma” and it is actually not a backpack at all. It’s an aerodynamically optimized shell for his upper body: 1215 mm long, 440 mm wide and 360 mm high with a weight of 12 kilos. “Emma” was tailor-made for Egger after his body was measured using laser technology. It’s made of a Kevlar/carbon-fiber blend, baked at high pressure. The man who made “Emma” (who got her name purely by chance) is the former NASA rocket scientist and current Formula One engineer Charles Bienz.

“Emma” has two important functions: it is intended to reduce the air turbulence that occurs at high speeds, giving Egger a more stable ride and making it possible for him to stay in an aerodynamically ideal position. And it should also make it easier for Egger to keep the running surfaces of his skis on the snow. Without his carbon-fiber backpack, Egger would no longer be skiing at 200 kph: he would leave the ground, with his skis briefly touching down every 20 meters or so. And with the danger each time of landing on the edges and losing control.

"I don´t know what to expect"

Harry Egger spends three hours a day on an ergometer and also works out with weights. He concentrates on the muscles of his upper legs: “They’re my landing gear”. But the 41-year-old has to work out every day to stay in top shape in every respect. “I am working at the physical limits, and the mental stress is so great that the only way you can take it is by being in perfect shape.”

During the attempt the greatest danger for Egger is not during the 100-meter timekeeping stretch but afterwards: aerodynamic experts calculate that the headwinds at 200 kph are the equivalent of a weight of 120 kilograms pressing against his body. Every additional kph means additional pressure and requires additional strength. How much pressure and how much strength? “I know that at up to 250 kph I can still stand up from a squatting position. Everything beyond that is virgin territory for me. I don’t know what to expect if I really break the existing world record.” But “Emma” also contains two parachutes, just waiting to deploy to slow him down.