Objects Database

Karhu Racing Skis

Accession Number

767.2009.1

Object Name

Karhu Racing Skis

Created

23/01/2009

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

23/01/2009

Brief Description

Pair of 'Karhu' cross country racing skis fitted with 'Rottefella' three pin bindings.

Materials

wood, plastic, carbonfibre

Dimensions

210(l) cms At widest part 4.5(w) cms

Number Of Objects

1 pair

Inscription Description

Polar bear on skis at tip. "KARHU" in large gold lettering at top and "CHAMPION" along bottom. Also "KARBOX®FOAM FIBRE GOLD MEDAL SKI WORLD CUP WINNER MADE IN FINLAND REGISTERED TRADE MARK REKISTERRöITY TAVARAMERKI KARHU - TITAN OY FINLAND" "ROTTEFELLA" "MADE IN NORWAY" on bindings.

Colour

Black with white lines

Maker

Karhu

Object Production Place

Finland

Provenance

Mick Tighe trained with the British Biathlon Team in the early 1970's and for several years was in The Royal Marine Cross Country Ski Team. These skis were one of the many pairs he used at the time - why KARHU?
Juha Mieto was Finnish and much to the horror of the Norwegians, who had produced world champions for years, he became the World's Cross Country Ski Champion (circa 1974). Mieto was a bear of a man, but most amiable with it, and everyone in the cross country ski world wanted to be like him. Unfortunately, the closest most folk got was to buy Karhu skis similar to the ones he used, even although they'd been using Norwegian skis for years. Small compensation in that the Rottefella bindings on these skis are Norwegian!

Acquisition Method

Donated by Mick Tighe

Acquisition Date

23/01/2009

Condition Check Date

28/04/2009

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

28/04/2009

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