Designed in 1964 by Laurent Boix-Vives, head of the French company Rossignol, the Strato ski became a real icon in just a few years. Its design was revolutionary: a laminated-bonded core surrounded by resistant layers of fiberglass and epoxy resin with a single moulding-bonding operation sufficing to assemble all the components. An innovative idea at the time, challenging the codes of traditional solid wood.

For its technical performance but also its sleek ‘‘wasp-waist’’ esthetics, French skiers proudly wore the model in the World Championships 1966, winning several gold medals. Over the next decade, the Strato’s renown crossed frontiers and propelled the brand to the top of the world podium in Alpine skiing.