I am usually the last to believe the marketing BS from ski companies, but some of what I have experienced with the 2011 Head SS is undeniable. Harald, Diana, Max and I have all skied on the 2011 SS and all of us noticed a big difference between it and the old one. It is much stiffer and the tails release much better. I would have bet that they changed the dimensions, but when I checked, the dimensions are unchanged. Then I read what Head said in a press release on KERS and I now beleive that the only difference between the old SS and the 2011 SS is the addition of KERS. For anyone that has seen the video of me wiping out skiing the new SS, I know that the huge snap from the tail would never have occurred on the old SS's.
Here is what Head has released about KERS. I have added the bold and underlining:
HEAD Ski 2010/11
Fomula HEAD - KERS
The new HEAD KERS Technology shakes the World Cup race circuit.
Last year the HEAD racing team was one of the fastest teams of the entire season. And we intend to keep it that way. That’s why we made the fastest skis on earth a little faster for 2010/11. The secret is called KERS Technology. Originating in Formula 1 and putting Didier Cuche, Bode Miller and Co. where they belong: in pole. KERS will be winning loads of medals in the World Cup.
The Extra Boost.
KERS Technology works like a turbo charger that provides additional power and acceleration by stiffening the tail of the ski in outturns. The effect: a boost, catapulting the rider into the next turn. Just like when Formula 1 pilots push a button for that extra notch of speed. HEAD KERS Technology is an electronic, fully automatic and integrated system.
How It Works.
Skis experience maximum flex at the end of a turn. At this moment an active microchip releases energy into the fibers of the tail. The tail of the ski then stiffens up, immediately increasing rebound for maximum acceleration at the end of the outturn.
Technical Background.
HEAD KERS Technology is an evolution of the idea behind HEAD’s Intelligence Technology. But unlike Intelligence, KERS does not influence the torsional stiffness of the ski, KERS empowers the skis’ longitudinal flex. Also KERS Technology is based on a completely new chip capable of accumulating power
and keeping it in store for the right moment. Piezoelectric fibers transform kinetic energy into electrical energy which is stored in the embedded chip in the ski. Electrical energy is immediately released to areas of the ski, where additional energy is requested by the sensor. Timing and release are automatically controlled and coordinated. Depending on the flex pattern of different ski models, sensors are programmed beforehand: the more aggressive the ski has to be, the stiffer the tail will become.
One thing is for sure, KERS makes a big impact on the ski. My guess is that the ITitan might actually be a good ski if it didn't have KERS. Harald said the ski was ay too stiff. I can tell you that you wouldn't wnat that catapult effect from the tail when you are skiing off piste. Perhaps more importantly, in a race ski KERS is everything that a skier wants and I feel confident that people will be raving about Head race skis this year.
I again can't say enough about he 2011 SS. It appears that what I am raving about is KERS. Everybody needs to get some!!