• Bentley launches its Zai Supersport Skis

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Bentley launches its Zai Supersport Skis

If you are anything like me then you clicked on this article and are now staring at the photos wishing you were there. What perfect timing from Bentley on the first serious winter day in the UK to remind us that snow can be fun.

So what has skiing got to do with Bentley?

Well, Bentley has partnered with the Swiss company Zai to produce the ‘one-of-a-kind’ zai for Bentley Supersport skis. The skis are handmade in Switzerland with collaboration from the Bentley Styling Studio in Crewe.

The handmade skis, poles and ski bag have been designed exclusively for Bentley, with design input from Bentley’s own team. Most excitingly, unique and patented technology confirms the product range is truly ‘one-of-a-kind’. New materials deployed in the skis will be a world first.

The skis will be a limited edition of 250 numbered pairs. Zaiìra® is a novel composite material containing carbon fibres specially developed by zai in co-operation with a partner. Zaiìra® is used on the skis’ top layer in combination with natural rubber in the central part as well as carbon fabric in composition with chrome steel in the torsion part. Additionally, long carbon fibre Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites (LFRTP) are being used in the zai for Bentley Supersport skis.

Zai Supersport Skis

The ski poles also demonstrate a new technology, ExoGrid®, used solely for the first time in the Bentley skis. A unique combination of the materials titan and carbon fibre reduces weight and guarantees high stability – this is the same material that is currently used for golf shafts. The ski bag is also custom-designed and custom-manufactured by zai.

Zai was formed in 2004, based in the Swiss village of Disentis. The high-end manufacturer of ski products, helmets and goggles, with a focus on hand built craftsmanship and the use of unique materials and patented technology.

Zai launched the world’s first and only skis containing a stone core, “zai Spada”, followed by ‘Hublot All Black by zai’ skis featuring a natural rubber top layer.

In 2008-9, the company sold 900 pairs of skis (’09 season) and this year is expecting to sell 1,000 pairs. About 20 per cent of all sales are direct from the factory with a focus on offering a factory tour, after sales service and insight into the production process.

You’ve probably gathered by now that these are unlikely to be the sort of skis that you can hire from SkiSet or Intersport – if you have to ask how much they cost… then you probably can’t afford them.

Well ok, get your credit cards ready because you’ll need to make same room for these bad boys; you) can pick a pair up for yourself for the princely sum of £5,900 (6,800 EUR).

Nice though aren’t they.

About Steve Davies

Steve Davies
Steve is a media, venture, and technology advisor and a former Partner at KPMG Consulting, PriceWaterhouse Coopers and Managing Partner at EIM - his clients range from global web and media companies to small start-ups. He formed Drivers Republic (DR) in 2007, the UK's first digital automotive magazine, with a team of EVO and Autocar writers before creating SkiddMark, and also writes as a guest contributor on Unruly Media’s Meme Machine blog and for Econsultancy’s digital marketing blog.

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