flying K

flying K
 n.— «This is skiing’s equivalent of drag racing and, unlike in slalom, there are no gates or turns. Speed skiers just point the ski tips straight down a hill that is so steep it is almost freefall. Also known as the “flying K,” because speeds are measured over the distance of a 10th of a kilometre, the figures resemble those of Formula One: 0-60mph in 3sec, 120mph in less than 6sec and a world record that would even make Klammer’s eyes water—251.4kph or about 156mph.» —“I’m going downhill fast—at 94mph” by Graham Duffill Times (London, United Kingdom) Feb. 3, 2008. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Further reading

Why is Boxing the Sweet Science?

Linda in Salisbury, North Carolina, wonders why boxing is called the sweet science, since there’s nothing obviously sweet about a bruising sport. This term took hold among British sportswriters in the early 19th century as promoters tried to frame...

Unusual Measurements of Quantity and Distance

Joseph in Houma, Louisiana, serves in the Coast Guard, shares a story about asking for directions when he was en route to an oil spill deep in Cajun Country. A local crawfisherman told him to go down the turning, twisting bayou for about four...

Recent posts