 Herald Democrat
Leadville will be the scene of the inaugural FLIGHTboot challenge on Saturday, Nov. 18, consisting of a 5K FunFLIGHT and a 12K MountainFLIGHT.
November 9, 2006 - FLIGHTboot challenge showcases new snowshoes
Leadville will be the scene of the inaugural FLIGHTboot challenge on Saturday, Nov. 18, consisting of a 5K FunFLIGHT and a 12K MountainFLIGHT. This will be an opportunity for locals to see and test the new Kahtoola FLIGHTsystem, the latest evolution of the snowshoe. Those interested in the race should meet at 8:30 a.m. at Provin' Grounds, 508 Harrison Ave., to get information on the race location, which will depend on where snow can be found. Snowshoes are optional. Racers can choose the footwear they want to race in. Seventy pairs of the FLIGHTboots will be available for those who want to give them a try. Co-invented by Leadvillite Bill Perkins and Danny Giovale, who heads Kahtoola, a Flagstaff, Ariz., company, the system consists of an insulated overshoe that slides over sneakers, light hikers or other footwear and is secured by a single ratcheted strap. It includes traction on the forefoot, midfoot, and heel. The boot is available in seven sizes that accomodate a woman's size 5 to a man's size 13 foot. Retail cost is $149, but Perkins is making the boot available to locals for $130. The boot can be used on its own for walking in snow. For deep snow, the Kahtoola FLIGHTdeck can be attached to the boot with one click and has a manual release. The deck comes in two sizes and is priced at $185. Perkins, who was the first sponsored snowshoe racer in Leadville, founded the Red Feather snowshoe compoany in 1988, which was subsequently sold. He said the idea for the FLIGHTsystem came to him in 1993, but the time was not right. The first pair of FLIGHTboots that were sold in Leadville went to Mayor Bud Elliott, he said. For information on the system, contact Perkins at 486-1094.
(Photo caption: Bill Perkins displays the FLIGHTsystem, consisting of a boot and platform that will be available for trial at the inaugural FLIGHTboot challenge in Leadville Nov. 18. Photo by Ann E. Wibbenmeyer)
—Marcia Martinek, Herald Editor
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