The upcoming ISPO winter show received a record number of applicants for its BrandNew Awards, up 13 percent to 261 entries from 231 last year. Of those, eight winners and 31 finalists were selected by the 19-member jury, which also took into consideration a consumer vote organized online beforehand. The products must have an edge in terms of innovation, design and/or marketing, and this year eco-friendly characteristics were a new persuasive factor. The following finalists will receive their awards at ISPO in the BrandNew Village (in Hall A3) at 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 28:

- Quantya from Switzerland was nominated for the Advansa Overall Award with FMX Dirtbike, a rechargeable cross-country motorbike that can run up to three hours on electric power without the usual exhaust fumes and noise common to other dirtbikes. It should be approved for road use this year.

- YKK will receive the Summer Hardware Award for its Hillracer Cross, a TÜV-tested summer sled with safety features such as wheels that won’t roll backward, hydraulic brakes and a rod that hooks onto T-bar lifts for easy transport.

- Ski-Mojo from the UK will receive the DuPont Hardware Winter Award for its shock-absorbing spring of the same name. It is worn as leg support by skiers along both legs under the ski pants and is attached at the top of the thighs and to each ski boot. The contraption works as a spring to support the skier’s movements and make the knees bend in the right way.

- Coolmax gets the Sportswear Award for an ion-mask plasma coating for apparel and footwear that keeps feet or body completely dry even when they are submerged in water. Originally devised by scientists at the P2i lab in Oxford, UK, the technology uses ionized gases to repel water.

- Creora will bring home the Style Award for its Eleonore de Ruuk collection of styled sportswear accessories with the inevitable trademark hoods the designer is known for.

- Nilit has been credited with the Style Accessories Award for Nat-2, a line of two-in-one shoes that can be zipped up from a summer sandal to a fashion sneaker.

- YKK also wins the Hardware Accessories category for Snowpulse, an avalanche airbag rescue system that is incorporated into a backpack. The 150-liter airbag is activated by a pull-strap and protects the head and chest of the wearer and keeps the head lifted up in case of an avalanche.

- Askin will take home the Accessories Award for the MyWay map holder gadget, to be used on ski pistes, on a golf course or in the metro. Like old-school map holders, it works on the principle that it is easier and faster to unroll maps than unfold them.