Freeride heel release

[The Suit]

I fractured my tibial plateau a few weeks ago by hyperextending my knee. Since I'm not skiing for a few more weeks I've had plenty of time to brood on the accident. I hit a buried obstacle (ice chunk, according to my wife) tip first. It stopped both skis dead and I launched forward. One binding released and the other didn't. The one that didn't release corresponds to my injury - I definitely felt the heel-release torque, but no release happened.

I've never had any knee injuries before, so this one has me a little bit spooked. My question is: should I blame the Fritschi Freeride binding? I'm 6', 160 lbs., and my DIN setting was at 8. Is there a known pattern of heel release trouble with Freerides? Or was it just one of those bad-luck things?

[summit]

Boot sole length?

[The Suit]

Originally posted by SummitCo 1776
Boot sole length?

315 mm

[Dr. Crash]

With this weight and sole length, a DIN chart says DIN at 5 (Type I skier), which adjusts to 7 for an aggressive (Type III) skier. So you were a bit above that (something they'd classify as a Type III+ which the chart would put at 8 1/2). The thing is, you set your DIN and then you take your chances. The higher the DIN, the more chances it won't release accidentally, but also in some circumstances where you wish it had. The fact that one binding released and not the other one can be caused by anything, from a different movement of your leg on that ski to a faulty binding. Did you have the release checked recently?

drC

[summit]

Is that what the Naxo chart says? Where can I gert a Naxo chart?

[trainnvain]

Originally posted by SummitCo 1776
Is that what the Naxo chart says? Where can I gert a Naxo chart?

At least all the other trolls and aliases are funny. Gear Queer.

[Frank the Tank]

My friend and bc partner/mentor broke his tibia at steamboat on a forward tumbling fall, and yes, he was wearing his freerides. I must say that I, too, have my doubts for using them for aggressive in-bounds skiing.