He knew he could make a better product and sell it to the close-knit race community. While David Jacobs’ young sons were in the ski race circuit, he noted there was only one brand of race sweaters available. “It put a stamp on our credibility,” David said. coach Bob Beattie, the pro tour’s big money purse attracted top competitors like Jean-Claude Killy, Jimmy Heuga, Hank Kashiwa, and Billy Kidd. Today, only 10% of Spyder’s market is composed of racers and 90% are recreational skiers.ĭuring the 70’s famous racers on the pro tour wore Spyder. At the end of two years, sales were in the six figures and Jacobs’ kitchen was too crowded.As the desire for high-end skiwear and high-tech items spread to recreational skiers, Spyder’s sales flourished. I wanted something powerful and menacing, a lasting image” (Ski Tech, Jan/Feb 1988)įor two years, Spyder operated out of David’s kitchen. I figured if I hated them so much, people would look at the clothing and never forget it. The most ominous and frightening thing to me is a black widow spider. ![]() “ When I decided to produce my own race clothing I thought of using spider, but why not spell it with a ‘y’ like the Ferrari Spyder? Besides, I hate spiders. “ Everyone called them spider pants,” Jacobs recalled. The company’s name was coined after one of Jacob’s early creations navy blue racing pants with yellow foam pads extending from the knee to the hip. It began as a small mail order business from his kitchen and became the multinational ski apparel giant that it is today In 1972 David founded The Jacobs Corporation, producing Hot Gear, a line of up-market children’s ski clothing. During this time, he designed the first Lange competition ski boot, which became the hallmark of World Cup ski boots. After that company merged with Lange USA in 1969, he moved to Boulder, sat on the board of directors and was the company’s Vice President from 1969 to 1972. Unfortunately, he was forced to withdraw before competing in the World Championships at Badgastein, Austria when he fractured his leg during a downhill training run.Īs the first full-time head coach and program administrator for the Canadian National Ski Team from 1964 to 1966, David continued his contribution to the sport at the national level.įrom 1966 to 1969, David was President of Lange-Jacobs Inc., the manufacturer of Lange plastic ski boots in Montreal. From 1957 through 1961, David was a member of the Canadian FIS Team. In 1957, David captured the title of Canadian Downhill Ski Racing Champion. ![]() Lawrence University and spending one year studying mechanical engineering at MIT proved only to be distractions from his skiing. Obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from St. At twenty-one, he won the Quebec Kandahar, proving that he was on the fast track to becoming a nationally competitive skier. ![]() Born Octoin Montreal, Canada, David Jacobs began his skiing at age thirteen.
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