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Bill Hazelett: Innovator, heli-skier

Bill Hazelett of Vermont was an inventor, early heli-skier, friend of Howard Head. In this video interview with filmmaker Rick Moulton of the International Skiing History Association, Hazelett, a brilliant engineer,  reminisces about his remarkable life.  In Stowe in 1945, he devised the first electric-eye race timing system. He invented one of the first high-elasticity ski bindings. He advised Howard Head on a way to affect ski performance by softening tail flex. Beginning in 1968, the year Hans Gmoser opened the Bugaboo Lodge, Hazelett heli-skied for 21 consecutive winters in British Columbia. He joined his friend IBM chairman Tom Watson in sailing adventures, and was an advisor to C.V. Starr, whose AIG Insurance Co. owned the Mount Mansfield Company. Hazelett died in 2010, age 91.    

Comments

Submitted by Mike Leach (not verified) on

In the description of this video, you say “In Stowe in 1945, he devised the first electric eye timing system...”.  He did not devise this in 1945. That timing system was developed in 1952 for the U.S. National races at Mt. Mansfield.  There is a very good article in the old Mt. Mansfield Ski Club newsletter that tells the story of how they developed this timing system.  I believe that timing system is currently at the Vermont Ski Museum.  It might be interesting to reprint that article (or someone could write an article) in the ISHA magazine, since this was apparently the first timing system to use the photo cell at the finish. And they created a start wand out of an old fishing pole and a refrigerator switch. If there is any interest, I can send you the article, as well an article Bill wrote for the newsletter about the timing system. I also have a nice photo of that 1952 race finish. You should have my email since I am a member.

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