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PRESS RELEASE 8.9.2009
Footbalance and Alpine Skier Jukka Leino Launch Cooperation
Footbalance, a leading Finnish manufacturer of customized insoles, has signed a cooperation agreement with Finnish professional Alpine skier Jukka Leino. Top alpinist Leino, who himself wears Footbalance insoles, will assume an active role in the R&D of Footbalance’s RACE insole designed for alpine boots.
”The strict rules of slalom require ultra-thin insoles. Leino is lending his expertise in the field to help us develop a RACE insole that fits alpine boots and provides maximum foot support. Skiers needs to maintain the feel of the surface, and this is a crucial aspect when designing insoles for alpine boots,” says designer Milja Havusela of Footbalance.
Leino is an overpronator with stronger overpronation in his left foot than in his right foot. To correct his malposition, Leino now wears Footbalance insoles that are 100% customized to correct the problems unique to each of his feet. The insoles help his feet and ankles stabilize his body and also help his feet absorb shock.
”I had a Footbalance foot analysis in May, and this was the first time that I had a full view of the position of my ankles. It was a shock to see how serious my malposition was. I also realized that part of the thrust of my muscles was wasted because the alignment of my foot and leg was not straight,” says Leino.
In a competitive sport where one battles for fractions of a second, getting the maximum force out of one’s muscles is crucial for a successful outcome. Naturally, the customized insoles also provide benefits for training outside the race arena, as insoles help the boots fit better and feel more comfortable. Problems caused by malposition, for example in the Achilles tendon and in the knee, ease and the risk of strain injuries decreases.
“This past spring I skied using Footbalance’s Coolmax insoles because, although the ski insoles provide excellent support, they didn’t adhere to our size requirements. Now I’m working with Footbalance on testing a prototype that is stiffer but which is still thin enough to meet official requirements. Our goal is to finish the testing by the end of September and have the RACE insoles ready in time for the opening race,” explains Leino.
The more Footbalance insoles are used, the more benefit they provide in terms of overall foot health and performance. That said, Leino has slipped customized insoles into his leisure, golf, tennis, and running shoes. Footbalance has been offering 100 percent customized insoles in Intersport stores since 2006. The collection includes insoles for sports usage as well as for leisurewear.
For further information, please contact Marketing Communications Manager Hilkka Koskenranta, Tel +358 40 574 4445