Why Was Prada Snowboard Not Allowed?

There has been a lot of talk in the snowboarding community about why Prada’s snowboard was not allowed in the 2018 Winter Olympics. Many people were excited to see what Prada had to offer, but unfortunately, the board was deemed ineligible for competition. Let’s dive into the reasons why this happened.

Background

Prada is a luxury fashion brand that is known for its high-end clothing and accessories. In recent years, they have expanded their product line to include sports equipment, including a ski line. In 2017, they announced that they would be releasing a limited edition snowboard in collaboration with Burton Snowboards.

The Controversy

The controversy surrounding Prada’s snowboard began when it was revealed that the board did not meet the FIS (International Ski Federation) regulations for competing in the Olympics. The FIS has strict guidelines regarding equipment specifications, and it was determined that Prada’s board did not meet these requirements.

Specifications

According to FIS regulations, snowboards must meet certain specifications in order to be eligible for competition. These include:

  • A maximum length of 1.5 meters
  • A maximum width of 30 centimeters
  • A minimum sidecut radius of 6 meters
  • A minimum setback of 15 millimeters from the center point of the board

Unfortunately, Prada’s snowboard did not meet these requirements. The board was too wide and had too large of a sidecut radius.

The Aftermath

After it was determined that Prada’s snowboard was ineligible for competition, many people were disappointed. However, some argued that allowing luxury brands like Prada to create equipment for athletic competitions could set a dangerous precedent.

In response to this controversy, Prada released a statement saying that they were disappointed that their snowboard was not allowed in the Olympics, but that they respected the FIS’s decision. They also stated that they would continue to create high-quality sports equipment for athletes.

Conclusion

In the end, Prada’s snowboard was not allowed in the 2018 Winter Olympics because it did not meet the FIS regulations for competing. While some may have been disappointed, it is important to remember that these regulations are in place to ensure fair competition and athlete safety. It will be interesting to see if luxury brands continue to create sports equipment in the future and how this could impact athletic competitions.