Long time Roaring Fork resident Ivan Enchev Petkov passed away September 8, 2012 after a long and valiant battle with cancer. We remember his constant optimism, sense of humor and love for family, friends and sport. With a smile and infectious enthusiasm, Ivan could be seen on the ski hills of Aspen carving the perfect turn or teaching others to.

Many of us will remember Ivan as a local skiing legend and the “Grandfather” of shaped skis. In 1993 Ivan co-founded S Ski, which perfected the first wide shaped skis that led to a revolution in the faltering ski industry.

Born in Bulgaria on June 28, 1953, Ivan’s life was special from childhood. He was a famous child movie star in the Balkans. His early passion for skiing led him to become a member of the Bulgarian national ski team in the mid 70’s.

He was an internationally ranked wind surfer in the 80’s. He moved to Aspen in the late 80’s and spent many years as a ski instructor, he shared his S Ski, carving technique and good humor with so many.

Ivan founded a company in 2006 called Hot Gear offering heated ski boot bags which has kept his connection with his beloved sport alive… And many World Cup skiers feet warm!

He is survived by his son Nikolai and wife Viviana, the love of his life who made the past years a joy and supported him through his challenges. As you ski this winter, making those effortless carves, remember Ivan and take a run for him.

A memorial service will be held on October 7th at 2pm on top of Aspen Mountain with a reception at the sundeck. Gondola passage is gratis. Contact mark@litesnow.com for info or to contribute photos.

View photos of Ivan’s life at: https://picasaweb.google.com/jomarkph/IvanPetkov19532012?authkey=Gv1sRgCKHKxJLXyvWUYQ#

Carving for everyone
Quotes from "Evolution of Ski Shape" by SethMasia
Skiing Heritage | August 29, 2011 at 5:40 am
The full article is here:
http://www.skiinghistory.org/index.php/2011/08/evolution-of-ski-shape/

"...Another Balkan racer was thinking along the same lines. Ivan Petkov retired from the Bulgarian ski team in 1976 and took up windsurfing. He designed and built a line of “Bora” sailboards and won the national championships three times between 1977 and 1980. He came to the US in 1987, to spend the summer in Hood River and the winter teaching skiing in Aspen. By 1989 he was managing a retail operation for Robbie Naish on Oahu, and while watching the craftsmen there carve custom sailboards, got the idea for a new carving ski. In the spring of 1992 he went back to the resort town of Pamporovo, in the Rhodope mountains of southern Bulgaria. There, Atomic had set up a factory to make some of their inexpensive constructions.

“I had them make a mold for a 187cm ski with a profile of 113-61-91,” Petkov says. “We couldn’t find a wide-enough base material, but they also made water skis there so we got some greenish-blue polyethylene and cut the base out of that. I took three or four pairs in different flexes and went to Mt. Hood. We were amazed at how well they held.”

Petkov called his new product the S-Ski, for its turn shape. He applied for a patent on the geometry. He ordered more skis in 183 and 193cm lengths, and went to the SIA Trade Show in the spring of ’93. “Everyone came to the booth,” Petkov remembers. “Warren Witherell (author of How the Racers Ski) was very excited.” He shipped 300 pairs. The 183cm sample in the Colorado Ski Museum measures 115-61-85, for a 19.5 sidecut depth and a 15 meter radius.

For 1994, there were shorter lengths, 163 and 178cm, and Petkov sold 1200 pairs. S-Ski was on a roll, but Petkov was unhappy with Pamporovo’s quality, and opened negotiations with Blizzard to build his ski..."