The ski jumping sling system is a training equipment for ski jumpers. It was invented by Spede Pasanen. There was one prototype in the years 1970-1980 in Puijo, Kuopio, Finland. The sling is used to throw ski jumpers from level ground with an acceleration resembling that of a ski-jumping tower. The sling was seen in the film Professori Uuno D.G. Turhapuro.
Spede-Idea Oy still manufactures the sling. The modern version is electronically controlled. The newest sling is designed for the needs of snowboarders for a variety of jumping events. It makes it possible to arrange such events in e.g. city centers.
Famous quotes containing the words ski, jumping and/or sling:
“The goal for all blind skiers is more freedom. You don’t have to see where you’re going, as long as you go. In skiing, you ski with your legs and not with your eyes. In life, you experience things with your mind and your body. And if you’re lacking one of the five senses, you adapt.”
—Lorita Bertraun, Blind American skier. As quoted in WomenSports magazine, p. 29 (January 1976)
“We set up a certain aim, and put ourselves of our own will into the power of a certain current. Once having done that, we find ourselves committed to usages and customs which we had not before fully known, but from which we cannot depart without giving up the end which we have chosen. But we have no right, therefore, to claim that we are under the yoke of necessity. We might as well say that the man whom we see struggling vainly in the current of Niagara could not have helped jumping in.”
—Anna C. Brackett (1836–1911)
“Then he took his staff in his hand, and chose five smooth stones from the wadi, and put them in his shepherd s bag, in the pouch; his sling was in his hand, and he drew near to the Philistine.”
—Bible: Hebrew, 1 Samuel 17:40.