Limbs of Steel

Until Jarem Frye became the first in the world to do it in 1996, it was considered impossible for above-knee leg amputees to telemark ski. But for the past 10 years, Frye has been developing sophisticated knee-joint prosthetics that allow him to do not only that, but also surf, bike, climb, wakeboard and excel at myriad other sports that require advanced knee articulation. Last year, Frye founded Oregon-based Symbiotechs to market his brainchild, the XT9 knee. Constructed from aircraft-grade titanium, the XT9 is corrosion-resistant for use in extreme conditions including snow, ice, and water. Frye´s patented shock component serves as the amputee´s missing thigh muscle to absorb impact. It´s fully adjustable to a person´s weight and intensity level, as well as the designated activity and terrain. (symbiotechsusa.com)