Skis as art: K2 announces Shane McConkey Tribute Ski for winter '09/10.
August 4, 2009, 2:21 PM
By: Tim Mutrie
Photo: K2 Skis
Some artful skis are more artful than others; this pair here, for instance.
The U.S. Postal Service has its commemorative stamps. But K2 makes skis not stamps. So it's only fitting—most fitting, actually—that the ski manufacturer most recently affiliated with the late Shane McConkey has just announced its Shane McConkey Tribute Ski—on the same ski that McConkey in life, as its inventor and designer, left a huge and lasting stamp on freeskiing. As such, net proceeds from the ski benefit McConkey's family.
Props to K2 for this artful tribute—right down to the Saucer Boy silhouette. Emily Coombs, widow of Doug Coombs, echoed this sentiment on a Facebook comment: "Great tribute and great help for his family!"
SEATTLE, Wash. (July 31, 2009)—On March 26, 2009, ski legend Shane McConkey died in a ski BASE jumping accident in the Italian Dolomites. In countless ways, McConkey defined skiing as a lifestyle and by pushing the boundaries of the sport.
Shane was a member of the K2 Skis team and was a creative thinker who challenged conventional wisdom in ski design. His Pontoon rockered powder ski, introduced in 2004, was one of the most profound innovations in ski design in decades. His concept was soon after adopted by the snowboard market thus making the sports more fun for millions of enthusiasts.
To celebrate Shane's life, K2 Skis will release a limited edition Shane McConkey Ski, built on the Pontoon chassis, in winter 2009. Graphically inspired by Shane's personality, ability, and many contributions to our sport, the ski will be available at participating authorized K2 Dealers and K2skis.com beginning in October. Approximately 500 pair of the unique, individually numbered, commemorative skis will be produced. All net proceeds generated by sales of the Shane McConkey Tribute ski, suggested retail $699, will be donated to Shane's family.
"Shane was a part of our K2 family," said Jeff Mechura, Global Brand Director for K2 Sports. "He was the pure embodiment of everything that K2 stands for, and we cherished the time we were able to spend with him. In many ways, Shane has changed the way we all think about life and skiing and we will miss him dearly. This ski is but one way to remember him and pay tribute to a legend of our sport".
K2 has proudly lived and supported the ski bum lifestyle for 46 years. The brand's products encourage millions of consumers in more than 60 countries to stop working, stop worrying and head to the mountains. The K2 Ski division is a part of Seattle-based K2 Sports family, a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of like-minded winter and summer recreational products. The K2 brand and businesses are world renowned as leaders in design, production, marketing and sales. For more information on K2's latest ski products, dealers and team activities, visit K2skis.com.
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Contributors
John Symms
My friend is a pro. In fact, many of my friends are pros. How else do you think I got this job?
Tim Mutrie
Journalist and blog-a-neer, big mtn. correspondent Tim has a desk-sized condo in a little place called Aspen.
Seth Morrison
If you don't know who Seth is, just click out of this blog and walk away. (Seth is a big mtn. legend, you see.)
Sage Cattabriga-Alosa
Sage went from washing dishes professionally to freeskiing professionally — aka "professional growth."
Ingrid Backstrom
World traveler, prolific ripper, reader and smiler, Ingrid lives in a cabin at the base of Squaw Valley.
Nate Abbott
Driven by coffee, powder, music, laughing, books & possibilities, photographer Nate is a lurker with Leica.
Liam Downey
Vermonster, Level 1 vet and large animal veterinarian, Liam's 6'5" frame makes him a large animal himself.
