Featured Image: Reece Bell racing. Provided by Reece Bell.
Diston Anti-Cut Shield teams up with the Ladies’ Ski Club out of Great Britain to bring optimal protection to female athletes on the slopes.
The Ladies’ Ski Club (LSC) is the oldest women’s alpine ski club in the world. Founded in 1923, the organization is dedicated to supporting female athletes and promoting female participation in snow sports.
Karen Jackman, Vice President of the Ladies Ski Club, remarked, “Mrs. Mabel Lunn and a few friends realized that while the men were enjoying all the activities, there were no opportunities for women. So, they established the Ladies Ski Club, which has been supporting female racers ever since.”
Through grants, hosting events, training, social gatherings, and mentoring, their membership-based program provides females with the opportunity to not only succeed in sport but beyond sport as well.
Currently, the club assists 19 FIS racers in succeeding in their dreams, four of whom are on the Europa Cup team. However, the club has continued to diversify into other snow sports.
Diston Collaboration
The collaboration between the Ladies Ski Club and Diston Anti-Cut Shield has committed to bringing each funded athlete a pair of 3-FIS Stars CRG (Cut Resistance Grade) leggings.
Karen Jackman explained, “As a club, our financial resources are limited, so our sponsorships may not always be substantial. However, we strive to support our racers in other ways. For instance, this season, we are providing each of them with a pair of anti-cut leggings from Diston Sports.”
Diston, the first company in the world to offer cut-resistant protective undergarments with a 3-FIS Stars CRG, is dedicated to the innovation and production of superior protective apparel. Their garments safeguard athletes against both lacerations and abrasions while ensuring unrestricted movement and exceptional comfort.
After the owner of Diston and Karen spoke, they mutually agreed that coming together for the safety of the athletes would be extremely beneficial.
When he phoned me, he had just been speaking to some international teams. He is supplying products to World Cup teams and still wants to work with us. I thought, “Who are we to say no to that?”
It was not a hard decision for the Ladies Ski Club board and committee: “We just thought it’s so important and that the safety of these girls and ladies is paramount, and it really is.”
Athletes Excited About Diston Undergarments
The athletes have provided feedback to the Ladies Ski Club about their excitement and gratitude for the anti-cut apparel from Diston.
Two British alpine racers weighed in on their appreciation for the 3-FIS Stars CRG protective undergarments.
Olivia Howeson stated, “I was excited to get Diston leggings because I know how dangerous our sport can be, and I am so grateful that there are companies like Diston that ensure we as racers are safe and protected.
“I’ve not been cut in skiing before, but I have seen it happen firsthand, and I know how dangerous it can be. So I’m incredibly grateful that I am protected,” Howeson continued.
Abi Bruce stated, “I was extremely excited to receive a set of Diston leggings. I am incredibly in awe of what Diston is doing for safety in skiing. As someone who fully supports herself, the budget is tight, so to receive a set of leggings from LSC is amazing!”
“One main thing about Diston that I like is the communication between the company and the athletes. I like the support on their social media for each individual athlete associated with them,” Bruce continued.
Supporting Athletes of Different Ages and Sports
The Ladies Ski Club supports competitors from a young age and has expanded to assist athletes competing in various snow sports.
Karen explained, “We like to support the younger girls, including FIS entry-level athletes, as well as those competing in the European and World Cups.”
Abi Bruce stated, “LSC has been supporting me for quite a few years now, and every year I receive the award, it motivates me. As a fully self-funded, full-time student-athlete and waitress, every bit of support makes a substantial difference.”
Their expansion into other snow sports includes assistance in ski cross, telemark, snowboarding, freestyle, aerials, and para snow sports.
One of the highlighted athletes from this past year was teleskier Jaz Taylor. Taylor made history at the end of last season, securing two Crystal Globes and 11 World Cup podiums to win the Overall World Cup Telemark title.
Hosting Events and Races
In addition to funding athletes, LSC also hosts races and other events that bring females together on the slopes.
They conduct British Schoolgirls Races, fun ski weekends, annual get-togethers for walks and picnics, and regattas.
Olivia Howeson explained, “LSC is such a lovely organization that has helped me in feeling like I’m in more of a community in a sport that can sometimes feel quite lonely for girls, especially from Great Britain. It’s nice to have people who know what you are going through and can relate, so getting tips and a helping hand with some things is really easy!
On top of hosting these races and events, Karen intends to leverage fundraising and membership contributions to sustain the partnership with Diston for the foreseeable future. They will persist in promoting and prioritizing the safety of women in snowsport.
