Oksana Masters
A Passion for Competition
Paralympian & Elite Athlete
Oksana Masters was born in Ukraine and diagnosed with Tibia Hemimilla, a condition caused by radiation poisoning from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. She was adopted at the age of seven and moved to the United States. After losing both her legs to amputation, Masters took up rowing and a ‘passion for competition’ was born. Now an eight-time Paralympic medalist in the Biathlon, Cross Country Skiing, Road Cycling and Rowing, Masters is an elite athlete at the top of her game.
CHALLENGE
composite builders & the U.S. Paralympic nordic ski team
For elite athletes, equipment plays a major role in helping them reach their peak performance. The US Paralympic Nordic Ski team coach, John Farra, approached Composite Builders to improve the team’s gear with carbon fiber. The team was used to equipment built from welded aluminum tube and a brace framed chassis. Since 2016 Composite Builders has been fortunate to work with the team, including Oksana Masters, to develop sit skis that are both lighter and stiffer – and worthy of Olympic level athletes.
DESIGN
Prototyping & Testing
Composite Builders was provided with the perimeters of the moonquake chassis and asked to design and build the sit skis. The chassis had to be adaptable to the athletes’ buckets, with a surface base to attach the ski rails, and free from drag in heavy snow. A concept was drafted, and a CNC mold for a prototype was formed. A laminate schedule was created based on a simulation of load and torque while the athlete is in turns and propulsion. A prototype was tested at the training center with minor adjustments before concept was proven. Composite Builders then outfitted each athletes’ buckets and custom fit them to the chassis.
Composite Builders was also challenged to build the ski rails, which had to be lighter and stiffer than their aluminum rails, without an increase in cost.
DEVELOPMENT
Reducing Weight
To keep costs low for the ski rails, we cured the rails in the auto clave. This reduced both lamination and processing time. The results from the auto clave also give the rails a smooth, porous free, finish.
After the first season was completed, Composite Builders created a new laminated schedule for the sit ski chassis. This change incorporated a honeycomb core which reduced more weight and increased further stiffness of the chassis.
RESULTS
AT THE TOP OF THE PODIUM
With their new state-of-the-art carbon fiber gear, the team came home with a record of 16 medals, including double gold for Oksana Masters.
composite builders & the U.S. Paralympic nordic ski team
CHALLENGE
For elite athletes, equipment plays a major role in helping them reach their peak performance. The US Paralympic Nordic Ski team coach, John Farra, approached Composite Builders to improve the team’s gear with carbon fiber. The team was used to equipment built from welded aluminum tube and a brace framed chassis. Since 2016 Composite Builders has been fortunate to work with the team, including Oksana Masters, to develop sit skis that are both lighter and stiffer – and worthy of Olympic level athletes.
Prototyping & Testing
DESIGN
Composite Builders was provided with the perimeters of the moonquake chassis and asked to design and build the sit skis. The chassis had to be adaptable to the athletes’ buckets, with a surface base to attach the ski rails, and free from drag in heavy snow. A concept was drafted, and a CNC mold for a prototype was formed. A laminate schedule was created based on a simulation of load and torque while the athlete is in turns and propulsion. A prototype was tested at the training center with minor adjustments before concept was proven. Composite Builders then outfitted each athletes’ buckets and custom fit them to the chassis.
Composite Builders was also challenged to build the ski rails, which had to be lighter and stiffer than their aluminum rails, without an increase in cost.
Reducing Weight
DEVELOPMENT
To keep costs low for the ski rails, we cured the rails in the auto clave. This reduced both lamination and processing time. The results from the auto clave also give the rails a smooth, porous free, finish.
After the first season was completed, Composite Builders created a new laminated schedule for the sit ski chassis. This change incorporated a honeycomb core which reduced more weight and increased further stiffness of the chassis.
at the top of the podium
RESULTS
With their new state-of-the-art carbon fiber gear, the team came home with a record of 16 medals, including double gold for Oksana Masters.