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For those of
you who may not know, Frank and I spent the last two weeks
of May in Portland, Oregon at a trial initiated by us
against Nidecker, a Swiss manufacturer of Kate's snowboard
and bindings. Our purpose was to help effect changes in
the safer design of snowboard bindings. Currently, the
industry promotes the use of non-releasable, beartrap
bindings which secure the snowboarder's feet to their
board. Although the jury found in favor of Nidecker, several
jurors agreed that bear trap bindings are dangerous and
hope the industry will change.
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We
have never shared with you the anguish we've kept inside
knowing Kate was trapped upside down, struggling to free
herself and turn herself around. After much investigation
by snow scientists and medical doctors, we believe she
was alive for at least fifteem minutes in the tree well.
We believe Kate would be alive today if the industry promoted
the choice of releasable bindings as an option for snowboarders.
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| In addition
to sustaining Kate's legacy through the Foundation,
Frank, Michael, and I are dedicating ourselves to adopting
the cause of changing the snowboard industry to save
other parents and siblings the anguish we suffer daily.
Footnote:
No Foundation funds have been
used to support this cause and no future funds will
be designated to fight the snowboard industry.
It is our (Frank, Ellen & Michael's) fervent desire
to change legislations in hope of saving other innocent
lives. |
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