Objects Database

Trak Cross Country Ski Boots

Accession Number

1529.2020.1

Object Name

Trak Cross Country Ski Boots

Created

09/06/2020

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

09/06/2020

Brief Description

Pair of blue Trak Cross Country ski boots with white laces.

Materials

Plastic

Dimensions

30(L) cms

Number Of Objects

1 pair

Inscription Description

On sole “ TRAK 42 NORDIC NORM-75mm “
On Boots “TRAK”

Colour

Blue, cream

Maker

Trak

Object Production Place

USA

Provenance

It seems that the Trak ski company was formed back in 1969 by a couple of Americans, Bill Danner and Hans Woitschatzke who had discovered a revolutionary idea for waxless skis which had been invented by another American, Bill Bennet, and called Fishscale.
The Trak, no wax skis, first appeared in 1970 accompanied by a bespoke binding, ski poles and boots, a pair of which we have here in the collection. The company went through various stages before selling to the Finnish company, Karhu, in 1988.
We are not 100% sure but think the UK rucksack manufacturer, Karrimor, became the UK importer somewhere along the line but we are sure that lots of Trak skis, boots and poles appeared in the UK in the 1970/80/90’s.
This particular pair of boots were used by Alex Gillespie, photographer and one time director of Nevisport, Fort William, Scotland.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Alex Gillespie

Acquisition Date

09/06/2020

Condition Check Date

09/06/2020

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

09/06/2020

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