Downhill: Speed is king

A young man dressed in black clothing, equipped with slide gloves and a full-face helmet, stands atop a hill in The Alps. With a determined gaze down the mountain, he places his foot on the board. From this vantage point, the roads appear as serpentines. He takes a deep breath and pushes off to gain speed. Within minutes, he is racing down the steep slope, sliding through hairpin curves at speeds exceeding 80km/h.

His name is Jens Verner Nielsen, and he ranks among the top downhill riders in the competitive downhill world. As a professional rider, he travels across Europe to conquer the steepest and curviest roads.

“Downhill gives a rush that's out of this world. Your mind clears. The focus is solely on the road, and the rush in your head as you race down the mountain and navigate the hairpin turns is intense. The feeling is indescribable. You have to try it for yourself,” says Jens.

Jens uses a bamboo deck from Rayne. To ensure maximum stability and optimal response, the deck is very stiff. Additionally, the concave of the board “locks” Jens’ feet onto the deck, making him more stable at high speeds.

The grip tape on Jens’ setup is the “Lokton” from Seismic. It is a 36-grit super coarse grip tape for longboards that provides the rider with excellent grip. Moreover, the rough texture of the tape makes it extremely durable.

Jens uses a variety of wheels from RAD. His choice of wheels depends on the roads he is riding. He appreciates the range because they are durable and have a large and solid core.