Ski Race Australia bans Cookie helmet after five fatal falls

After reviewing the skier falls in Australia since 2011, at least those that it is aware of, Ski Racing Australia (SRA) says it has found that all five fatal falls involved skiers wearing a Cookie-branded helmet.

Today (March 3, 2016) we reprint the following statement issued by SRA regarding the subsequent suspension or temporary ban of the wearing of this Cookie brand of helmet.

From a recent skier survey it was found that less than 30 percent of skiers are using this helmet brand. Although SRA has no direct or firm evidence as to whether this helmet brand and type is a contributing factor in the tragic result of these falls (in many cases, but not all, speed was also a common factor), the pure statistical weight indicates that there may be an as yet unknown issue with the Cookie-branded helmet.

On balance the most appropriate course of action from the sport's governing body is to suspend the use of the Cookie-branded helmet pending the findings of the McIntosh Consultancy research.

As previously announced, SRA is working with McIntosh Consultancy and Research in an effort to understand the injury mechanism and it will provide ski racing competitors those findings when this research is complete.

NOT FIT FOR THE PURPOSE
As with all helmets used by skiers in Ski Racing events, they [Cookie-branded helmets] are not specifically fit for the purpose or designed for the rigours and forces applied while skiing.

In fact, the manufacturers of these helmets (including the Cookie-branded helmets) are careful to ensure clear warnings are placed regarding use of these items outside of the design specifications and intentions.

As there is currently no helmet specifically designed as being fit for purpose for use in the sport of ski racing, competitors are required to make their own choice as to the skiing helmet they wish to use based on their own assessment of their comfort and needs.

In the short term, subject to the above suspension, this will continue until any findings or recommendations are presented through the McIntosh project regarding new skier protective equipment.

HELMET CLIPS
Following up the safety committee advice provided in October 2015: http://www.skiracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Safety-Committee-Update-141015.pdf.

Ski Race Australia (SRA) is aware that competitors may have modified the manufactured clips on the skier's helmets. SRA does not support this approach and advises competitors to source an appropriately manufactured clip from their supplier in line with their own personal views according to how they want their clip to behave.

Clips are available on the market with measurements from 18kg-87kg and competitors are advised to source their clips accordingly.

Scrutineers will be checking helmet clips accordingly at the Robinvale Ski Race and modified clips will be identified. Modified clips will not be accepted to race from the Mildura 100 onwards.

The ski-race fraternity has been rocked by a series of tragic death of ski-race competitors and some of the nicest and most competent guys in the sport in recent years.

We reported on the tragic loss of Kevin Vahtrik, 47, one of the sport's good guys, who sadly lost his life on Saturday, February 13, in a qualifying round of the famous Southern 80 water skiing event on the Murray River in the NSW’s Riverina region. More safety updates at Ski Race Australia.