TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 2 mission Page 4 materials Page 6 camber profiles Page 8 snowboards Page 44 line overview
“SMALL ACTS, WHEN MULTIPLIED BY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE, CAN TRANSFORM THE WORLD.”
- Howard Z inn
R ider : I単aqui Irarrazaval // P hoto : Xabier Acarate // L ocation : Mammoth Mountain, CA
6 YEARS OF ECO-FRIENDLY SNOWBOARDING. Founded in 2009, Niche is based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. We’re committed to making the highest quality snowboards, constructed with eco-friendlier materials, that reflect our love affair with nature and good design. We believe snowboarding and creativity go hand-in-hand, and are passionate about making boards that are lighter, snappier and more durable than most traditionally constructed decks. At Niche Snowboards, we’ve changed the way we think about the relationships between our materials, our environment, and ourselves. We firmly believe anyone can do good, and that small steps lead to big differences. Bottom line, what makes us different is our passion for quality, good design, and making the most environmentally conscious snowboards in the industry. We’re certainly not perfect, but we continually strive to be better, and hope our success will inspire change in the snowsports industry and lead to good things for you and the planet we all share.
MATER DIGI-PRINT TOPSHEET Most snowboard makers cover their topsheets in a thick, toxic lacquer to add shine. This is not only toxic to the environment; it’s unhealthy for people working in the factory. Digi-Print uses a lacquer-free topsheet material that’s also thinner than most snowboard topsheets. This cuts down on excess material and makes your board lighter. We digitally print directly onto the topsheet, cutting up to 60% of the material and 75% of the energy wasted during alternate printing processes.
SNAPPY SAP™ BIO RESIN
BASALT MAGMA FIBER™
Traditional resins can be extremely toxic to people and the environment. For our snowboards, we partnered with Entropy Resins to create our one-ofa-kind, Snappy Sap™ Bio-Resin. As opposed to traditional epoxies made primarily of petroleum-based materials, Snappy Sap™ Bio-Resin is composed of bio-renewable materials from the industrial waste streams of the paper pulp and bio-fuels industry.
The majority of the snowboard industry uses fiberglass in board construction. We have eliminated fiberglass in several of our models, replacing it with Magma Fiber™ crafted from basalt.
These natural components help the environment by: • 45% material sourced from sustainable, bio-renewable materials • Lower environmental impact from processing – reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, reduced water and energy consumption, reduced wastes • Eliminates harmful byproducts Snowboard benefits: • Increased elasticity – provides more pop and spring to your board • Super high adhesion properties help keep your board from delaminating! • Toughness – combined these benefits make your board bomb proof
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Basalt is the product of volcanic activity. The fiberization process is more environmentally safe than that of glass fiber; the greenhouse gases that might otherwise be released during fiber processing were released eons ago during the magma eruption. Basalt is also 100% inert, which means it has no toxic reaction with air or water, and is noncombustible. And basalt is much easier to recycle than glass. • Our Magma Fiber shows 15-20% higher tensile strength than regular fiberglass. This means better impact absorption, strength, and elasticity. • Because basalt has a greater strength to weight ratio, less is needed to produce a snowboard. And less material means a lighter board! • Basalt does not absorb water. So if you chip your topsheet jibbing some gnar, your board will not absorb water and delaminate!
RIALS FLAX STRINGERS Stringers are strips of material that change the personality of a board (i.e. giving a board more pop or more stiffness), and are typically made of carbon fiber or another type of wood. Niche has developed a totally new stringer technology using Flax Fibers! Carbon uses lots of energy to process and releases half of its weight in CO2 and other pollutants when manufactured. Flax is an awesome ecosubstitute! Flax stringers provide similar characteristics to carbon fiber, only they’re made from flax! They are super strong and super light, making them an ideal swap. They also provide amazing vibration dampening characteristics, giving you a less chattery ride.
SUSTAINABLE WOOD CORES The forests that our wood cores come from are managed carefully to meet the social, economic, ecological, cultural and spiritual needs of current and future generations. Our wood cores also come from a sustainable source, which means they are replaced by new trees! Here are some other requirements of our forest management: • No use of hazardous chemicals • No conversion of forests or any other natural habitat • Appropriate management and identification of areas that need special protection (ex. cultural or sacred sites, habitats of endangered animals or plants) • Respect of international workers rights and Human Rights, with particular attention to indigenous peoples
BASALT STRINGERS Niche also utilizes basalt stringers for added pop, stability, and crazy vibration dampening properties.
RECYCLED BASES Niche uses recycled base materials in every product in our lineup.
UHMW SIDEWALLS Every product Niche makes utilizes sintered UHMW sidewalls. UHMW is more sustainable than traditional ABS sidewalls as they produce significantly less waste material, is recyclable, is cleaner to produce and is non-toxic. It can actually even exist inside a human body for medical purposes! The sintered UHMW sidewalls are also stronger, bond better with the bio-resins and edge material, won’t crack, and add extra vibration dampening to your ride!
• All applicable laws must be followed, with no tolerance for corrupt or questionable business practices
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CAMBER PROFILES Camber Dominant Hybrid
Traditional camber with a flatter mid-section. Provides more stability, tons of pop, responsive edge control and will let you ride away without washing out. A modern update to a time-tested classic.
Flat to Early Rise Camber
Flat camber is a perfect medium between reverse and traditional camber. It allows you to float better in pow compared to traditional camber, while still having a loose, playful feel with maintained edge control.
Multi-Camber
Multi-camber is a camber medley, which gives you the pop and edge control of regular camber with the float of reverse camber. Reverse camber between your feet, and camber zones extending to the contact points for a super loose, catch-free feel.
TRACTION BUMPS
The wavy edge of Traction Bumps add contact points to give your board more edge control and stability, especially in icy conditions. It works like the serrated edge of a knife, and adds extra bite and grip, and max carving power to your ride.
SNOWB
OARDS
in this land Valley of shadows and crows here be dragons that haunt to this very day a child now grown that no one but me remembers and mourns - Ronberge (anno primo)
The artwork on the Knew was a collaboration between Niche’s Creative Director, Ana Van Pelt, and UK-based artist, Zosia Olenska. The artwork depicts a great dragon, dwelling deep within the forest. In many cultures dragons are viewed as representing the primal forces in nature and the universe. The symbols on the top and base are called a Dragon’s Eye, which is an ancient Germanic symbol. It combines a triangle, meaning threat, with ‘Y’ meaning a choice between good and evil. Given the dimensions and perspective of the illustration, the artwork was drawn in several pieces and then adjusted and pieced together; some areas are actually several layers of different finished art. The finished graphic took over 120 hours to complete between illustration and coloring. The original completed layout was made in full color, and then converted to greyscale in order to achieve subtle tone variations between the shades of grey, so that the highlights and shadows would add enough depth to the overall graphic.
AWA R D W I N N I N G
KN
The award-winning Knew is the perfect flat camber twin, with the pop and stability needed to hit jumps, rails and anything else the mountain might throw at you. The paulownia core and Flax stringers provide plenty of pop and stability, while the flat camber and soft flex are perfect for pressing rails. With a centered stance on this true twin shape, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another ‘jib board’ as versatile as this. AVAILABLE SIZES: 149, 152, 155 SOFT FLEX - soft twin flex - welcome to fun flexing and perfect presses SINTERED BASE - fast, strong and smooth - like a good whiskey FLIP FLOP BASES - alternate color schemes are used to avoid extra plastic base material waste during production ONEBALL JAY BIO WAX - factory waxed with OneBall Jay Bio Wax
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EW
AWA R D W I N N I N G
FLAT TO EARLY RISE CAMBER - perfect medium between reverse and traditional camber - allows you to float better in pow compared to traditional camber, while still having a loose, playful feel with maintained edge control PROFILED TIP & TAIL - the core is milled at the tip and tail for added playfulness, easy presses and decreased swing weight FLAX STRINGERS - is used to replace carbon fiber because of its similar characteristics ...and it’s more eco-friendly! - adds chronic pop and stability - dampens vibrations 2X TRACTION BUMPS - adds contact points to give your board more edge control and stability, especially in icy conditions - .75 mm Traction Bumps in the binding area for added grip and enhanced carving ability SNAPPY SAP™ BIO-RESIN - more elastic and snappier than normal resin - dampens vibrations - extremely high adhesion properties to help keep your board from delaminating DIGI-PRINT TOPSHEET - direct digital print, lacquer-free, matte finish topsheet SINTERED UHMW SIDEWALLS - super strong and adds extra vibration dampening to your ride SUSTAINABLE WOOD CORE - a combination of paulownia with Flax Stringers vertically laminated within RECYCLED BASE MATERIAL
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R i de r : Josh Brooks // P ho t o : Todd McA r thu r // L o c at ion : Apex Creek, BC , Ca nada
Love and tears, life and death Emotions on the ocean’s breath Sailors rest upon its sandy f loor Back and forth the ocean churns, The tides won’t let them sleep Still, the hungry waters wanting more Loved ones f lashed before their eyes, With tears, a prayer they yelled! Into the cold and deep they did descend The last words have been spoken And placed inside a shell, Hear their voice within the eerie wind - Bill Cantrell
The artwork on the Theme was done by artist Jeff Trish. It is an illlustration of Davy Jones’ Locker. Davy Jones’ Locker is an idiom for the bottom of the sea: the state of death among drowned sailors and shipwrecks. It is used as a euphemism for drowning or shipwrecks in which the sailor’s and/or ship’s remains are consigned to the bottom of the sea (to be sent to Davy Jones’ Locker).
AWA R D W I N N I N G
THE
From back lips to back 10’s, the Theme is a do-itall park board. With a true twin shape, centered stance and medium flex, it will take your freestyle skills to the next level. The Snappy Sap™ BioResin combined with traditional camber give you more pop than you’ll know what to do with. The Basalt Magma Fiber ensures your ride will be stable, smooth, and crazy lightweight! If you’re looking for a snappy, cambered twin companion, the Theme is for you. AVAILABLE SIZES: 149, 152, 155, 158 MEDIUM FLEX - supple yet snappy - true twin flex for both presses & pop SINTERED BASE - fast, strong and smooth - like a good whiskey FLIP FLOP BASES - alternate color schemes are used to avoid extra plastic base material waste during production ONEBALL JAY BIO WAX - factory waxed with OneBall Jay Bio Wax
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EME
AWA R D W I N N I N G
CAMBER DOMINANT HYBRID - a modern update on the original classic - provides more stability, tons of pop, responsive edge control and will let you ride away without washing out PROFILED TIP & TAIL - the core is milled at the tip and tail for added playfulness, easy presses and decreased swing weight BASALT MAGMA FIBER INSTEAD OF FIBERGLASS - 15-20% higher tensile strength than regular fiberglass - better impact absorption, strength and elasticity BASALT STRINGERS - is used to replace carbon fiber because of its similar characteristics ...and it’s more eco-friendly! - adds chronic pop and stability - dampens vibrations 2X TRACTION BUMPS - adds contact points to give your board more edge control and stability, especially in icy conditions - .75 mm Traction Bumps in the binding area for added grip and enhanced carving ability SNAPPY SAP™ BIO-RESIN - more elastic and snappier than normal resin - dampens vibrations - extremely high adhesion properties to help keep your board from delaminating DIGI-PRINT TOPSHEET - direct digital print, lacquer-free, matte finish topsheet SINTERED UHMW SIDEWALLS - super strong and adds extra vibration dampening to your ride SUSTAINABLE WOOD CORE - a combination of paulownia, poplar and bamboo RECYCLED BASE MATERIAL 19
R ider : Joaquin Fischer-Schmeisser // P hoto : Drew Perni // L ocation : Brighton, UT
Below the thunders of the upper deep; Far far beneath in the abysmal sea, His ancient, dreamless, uninvaded sleep The Kraken sleepeth: faintest sunlights flee About his shadowy sides; above him swell Huge sponges of millennial growth and height; And far away into the sickly light, From many a wondrous grot and secret cell Unnumber’d and enormous polypi Winnow with giant arms the slumbering green. There hath he lain for ages, and will lie Battening upon huge seaworms in his sleep, Until the latter fire shall heat the deep; Then once by man and angels to be seen, In roaring he shall rise and on the surface die. - Alfred Tennyson, 1830
T he artwork on the Aether was created by Niche’s Creative Director, Ana Van Pelt.
AWA R D W I N N I N G
AET
The total package. If your day consists of riding anything from powder to groomers to park laps, this is your snowboard equivalent to a swiss army knife. The 7X Traction Bumps will give you unparalelled control in any snow condition, and the multicamber will give you stability on groomers, float in pow and greasy presses. The Snappy Sap™ BioResin and mid-stiff flex on this directional twin add a ton of pop to your ride. With a super fast sintered base, the award-winning Aether is ready to tackle the entire mountain. AVAILABLE SIZES: 153, 156, 159 MID-STIFF FLEX - powerful, snappy and stable - directional twin flex pattern SINTERED BASE - fast, strong and smooth - like a good whiskey FLIP FLOP BASES - alternate color schemes are used to avoid extra plastic base material waste during production
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HER
AWA R D W I N N I N G
MULTI-CAMBER - camber medley, which gives you the benefits of reverse camber, while maintaining optimum pop and control - reverse camber between your feet, and camber zones extending to the contact points for a super loose, catch-free feel 7X TRACTION BUMPS - adds contact points to give your board more edge control and stability, especially in icy conditions - works like the serrated edge of a knife - fixes the ‘squirrely’ feel that some reverse camber boards can have BASALT STRINGERS - is used to replace carbon fiber because of its similar characteristics ...and it’s more eco-friendly! - adds chronic pop and stability - dampens vibrations SNAPPY SAP™ BIO-RESIN - more elastic and snappier than normal resin - dampens vibrations - extremely high adhesion properties to help keep your board from delaminating DIGI-PRINT TOPSHEET - direct digital print, lacquer-free, matte finish topsheet SINTERED UHMW SIDEWALLS - super strong and adds extra vibration dampening to your ride SUSTAINABLE WOOD CORE - a combination of paulownia, poplar and bamboo RECYCLED BASE MATERIAL ONEBALL JAY BIO WAX - factory waxed with OneBall Jay Bio Wax
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R i de r : Pasquale Gentile // P ho t o : Rust y Toothbrush // L o c at ion : Les Deux A lpes, France
The fair breeze blew, the white foam f lew, The furrow followed free; We were the first that ever burst Into that silent sea. Down dropt the breeze, the sails dropt down, ‘Twas sad as sad could be; And we did speak only to break The silence of the sea! - Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1834
The graphic on the Story was created by Niche’s Creative Director, Ana Van Pelt. It is a fictional ancient mariner’s map, riddled with hidden personal anecdotes, literary and film references, mythical creatures, and references within the rest of the 2016/17 line of Niche snowboards.
AWA R D W I N N I N G
STO
From icy runs to amazing pow days, this deck will take you anywhere and everywhere. The Basalt Magma Fiber, Snappy Sap™ Bio Resin and Basalt Stringers make for a lightweight, smooth and snappy ride. Combined with 7X Traction Bumps, multi-camber, and a setback stance - you’ve got a board that can tackle the entire mountain. With its blend of amazing eco-friendly technologies and newly updated shape for increased all-mountaun dominance, the award-winning Story is a beautifully different kind of deck. AVAILABLE SIZES: 156, 159, 162 MID-STIFF FLEX - powerful, snappy and stable - directional flex pattern SINTERED BASE - fast, strong and smooth - like a good whiskey FLIP FLOP BASES - alternate color schemes are used to avoid extra plastic base material waste during production ONEBALL JAY BIO WAX - factory waxed with OneBall Jay Bio Wax
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ORY
AWA R D W I N N I N G
MULTI-CAMBER - camber medley, which gives you the benefits of reverse camber, while maintaining optimum pop and control - reverse camber between your feet, and camber zones extending to the contact points for a super loose, catch-free feel 7X TRACTION BUMPS - adds contact points to give your board more edge control and stability, especially in icy conditions - works like the serrated edge of a knife - fixes the ‘squirrely’ feel that some reverse camber boards can have BASALT MAGMA FIBER INSTEAD OF FIBERGLASS - 15-20% higher tensile strength than regular fiberglass - better impact absorption, strength and elasticity BASALT STRINGERS - is used to replace carbon fiber because of its similar characteristics ...and it’s more eco-friendly! - adds chronic pop and stability - dampens vibrations SNAPPY SAP™ BIO-RESIN - more elastic and snappier than normal resin - dampens vibrations - extremely high adhesion properties to help keep your board from delaminating DIGI-PRINT TOPSHEET - direct digital print, lacquer-free, matte finish topsheet SINTERED UHMW SIDEWALLS - super strong and adds extra vibration dampening to your ride SUSTAINABLE WOOD CORE - a combination of paulownia, poplar and bamboo RECYCLED BASE MATERIAL 31
R ider : Jonny Sischo // P hoto : Jordan Ingmire // L ocation: Cooke City, MT
All in a hot and copper sky, The bloody Sun, at noon, Right up above the mast did stand, No bigger than the Moon. Day after day, day after day, We stuck, nor breath nor motion; As idle as a painted ship Upon a painted ocean. - Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1834
The graphic on the Sonnet was created by Niche’s Creative Director, Ana Van Pelt. It is a fictional ancient mariner’s map, riddled with hidden personal anecdotes, literary and film references, mythical creatures, and references within the rest of the 2016/17 line of Niche snowboards.
AWA R D W I N N I N G
SON
If you’re the kind of girl that likes to charge hard and explore all types of terrain, from surfy pow days to just cruising, the Sonnet is your kind of board. This twin deck has got it all. 7X Traction Bumps and multi-camber give you unparalelled control on this ultra lightweight and snappy ride. The medium flex adds tons of stability, making it the ultimate allmountain board. For those that want to go anywhere and everywhere without restraint, this one’s for you. AVAILABLE SIZES: 147, 151 MEDIUM FLEX - powerful, snappy and stable - directional flex pattern SINTERED BASE - fast, strong and smooth - like a good whiskey FLIP FLOP BASES - alternate color schemes are used to avoid extra plastic base material waste during production ONEBALL JAY BIO WAX - factory waxed with OneBall Jay Bio Wax
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NET
AWA R D W I N N I N G
PERFECT ALL-MOUNTAIN FREESTYLE BOARD FOR THE LADIES - directional twin that floats incredibly well in powder - an ultra-versatile, aggressive ride MULTI-CAMBER - camber medley, which gives you the benefits of reverse camber, while maintaining optimum pop and control - reverse camber between your feet, and camber zones extending to the contact points for a super loose, catch-free feel 7X TRACTION BUMPS - adds contact points to give your board more edge control and stability, especially in icy conditions - works like the serrated edge of a knife - fixes the ‘squirrely’ feel that some reverse camber boards can have BASALT STRINGERS - is used to replace carbon fiber because of its similar characteristics ...and it’s more eco-friendly! - adds chronic pop and stability - dampens vibrations SNAPPY SAP™ BIO-RESIN - more elastic and snappier than normal resin - dampens vibrations - extremely high adhesion properties to help keep your board from delaminating DIGI-PRINT TOPSHEET - direct digital print, lacquer-free, matte finish topsheet SINTERED UHMW SIDEWALLS - super strong and adds extra vibration dampening to your ride SUSTAINABLE WOOD CORE - a combination of paulownia, poplar and bamboo RECYCLED BASE MATERIAL
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R ider : Charlotte Anderson // P hoto : Gareth Tyler // L ocation : France
I have seen them riding seaward on the waves Combing the white hair of the waves blown back When the wind blows the water white and black. We have lingered in the chambers of the sea By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown Till human voices wake us, and we drown. - T.S. Eliot, 1976
The graphic on the Minx was created by Niche’s Creative Director, Ana Van Pelt, featuring illustration work by Zosia Olenska.
AWA R D W I N N I N G
MI
The Minx is the perfect companion for all-day park sessions. It’s soft enough to do presses, yet stable enough to hit jumps, and really... any other terrain you’d like to enjoy. The Minx is an extremely lightweight true twin with a centered stance. The Flax Stringers within the paulownia wood core make the board super poppy and also add vibration dampening, ensuring a smooth ride. And while it may be a park-proven killer, don’t underestimate it. Whether you’re dropping cliffs or just cruisin’ around, this board will not let you down. AVAILABLE SIZES: 140, 143, 146, 149 SOFT FLEX - soft twin flex - welcome to fun flexing and perfect presses SINTERED BASE - fast, strong and smooth - like a good whiskey FLIP FLOP BASES - alternate color schemes are used to avoid extra plastic base material waste during production ONEBALL JAY BIO WAX - factory waxed with OneBall Jay Bio Wax
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NX
AWA R D W I N N I N G
PERFECT ALL-AROUND PARK BOARD FOR THE LADIES - even flex profile for pressing, yet stable enough to hit jumps - the shape, sidecut and decreased swing weight make spinning effortless - an overall fun girls board for park riding FLAT TO EARLY RISE CAMBER - perfect medium between reverse and traditional camber - allows you to float better in pow compared to traditional camber, while still having a loose, playful feel with maintained edge control PROFILED TIP & TAIL - the core is milled at the tip and tail for added playfulness, easy presses and decreased swing weight FLAX STRINGERS - is used to replace carbon fiber because of its similar characteristics ...and it’s more eco-friendly! - adds chronic pop and stability - dampens vibrations 2X TRACTION BUMPS - adds contact points to give your board more edge control and stability, especially in icy conditions - .75 mm Traction Bumps in the binding area for added grip and enhanced carving ability SNAPPY SAP™ BIO-RESIN - more elastic and snappier than normal resin - dampens vibrations - extremely high adhesion properties to help keep your board from delaminating DIGI-PRINT TOPSHEET - direct digital print, lacquer-free, matte finish topsheet SINTERED UHMW SIDEWALLS - super strong and adds extra vibration dampening to your ride SUSTAINABLE WOOD CORE RECYCLED BASE MATERIAL 43
LINE OV
VERVIEW
LENGTH
KNEW
THEME
AETHER
STORY
SONNET
MINX
46
EFFECTIVE EDGE
CONTACT LENGTH
SIDECUT RADIUS
WAIST WIDTH
149 cm
113.4
110.4
7.5
25.0
152 cm
116.4
113.4
7.65
25.3
155 cm
119.4
116.4
7.8
25.7
149 cm
113.4
110.4
7.4
25.0
152 cm
116.4
113.4
7.55
25.2
155 cm
119.4
116.4
7.7
25.4
158 cm
122.0
119.0
7.85
25.6
153 cm
116.4
113.4
7.4
25.4
156 cm
119.4
116.4
7.6
25.8
159 cm
122.0
119.0
7.8
26.2
156 cm
116.4
113.4
7.6
25.8
159 cm
119.4
116.4
7.77
26.2
162 cm
122.0
119.0
7.8
26.5
147 cm
111.0
108.0
7.0
24.3
151 cm
116.0
113.0
7.4
24.7
140 cm
106.0
103.0
6.8
23.8
143 cm
109.0
106.0
6.95
24.0
146 cm
111.0
108.0
7.25
24.3
149 cm
113.4
110.4
7.4
24.5
TIP LENGTH
TAIL LENGTH
19.3
19.3
19.3
19.3
19.3
19.3
19.3 19.3
TIP WIDTH
TAIL WIDTH
STANCE WIDTH
SETBACK
CAMBER
29.1
29.1
560
0
0.0
29.5
29.5
560
0
0.0
30.1
30.1
560
0
0.0
19.3
29.3
29.3
630
0
6.0
19.3
29.6
29.6
630
0
7.0
19.3
19.3
29.9
29.9
640
0
7.0
19.5
19.5
30.3
30.3
640
0
8.0
19.8
19.8
29.4
29.4
560
0
-5.0
19.8
19.8
29.9
29.9
560
0
-5.0
20.0
20.0
30.4
30.4
560
0
-5.0
21.8
20.8
30.0
29.4
560
20
-5.0
21.8
20.8
30.5
30.0
560
20
-5.0
22.0
21.0
31.0
30.4
584.2
20
-5.0
19.0
19.0
28.0
28.0
520
0
-6.0
19.0
19.0
28.7
28.7
560
0
-5.0
18.5
18.5
27.8
27.8
520
0
0.0
18.5
18.5
28.2
28.2
580
0
0.0
19.0
19.0
28.5
28.5
600
0
0.0
19.3
19.3
28.8
28.8
600
0
0.0
47
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