Tapani Niku's Skiing Boot

3D Model

Tapani Niku (1895–1989) was the first Finnish olympic medallist in skiing. His career straddled the end of the flat-terrain era and early years of genuine cross-country skiing. Niku was one of the first Finnish skiers who adapted his technique and equipment to rough terrain tracks. In 1924 he won bronze in 18 kilometres at the inaugural Olympic Winter Games at Chamonix in the French Alps.

This light and tall skiing boot is made of sturdy and waterproof leather. The straight tip was an innovation: most skiing boots in the 1920’s still had pigtail tips.