Poles are used to poke pesky boarders who get in our way. It also helps us skiers go much faster than the slow cumbersome board. They do look a little ungainly coming down the track I agree but as I said it was a purpose built board track so the skiers just made the best of it!! Would love to try that track on skis/a board/blades/sledge/bum board and anything else. Would need a brandy first though but don't tell badbreath!
Caz
You see that's where they've got it wrong.
The race should begin at the BOTTOM. Some of my most entertaining memories are getting off (and for that matter onto!) the chair lift.
Include a couple of ski school groups heading down the course as additional moving obstacles and you've got a real event!