Abstract: A thin top shell of aerodynamic contour is secured over a jump ski base smooth flow of air over the top of the ski during a jump, without interfering with the on-water performance of the base. The shell has a bulbous tip portion, a first portion of airfoil cross section aligned transversely of the ski in front of the central binding area of the ski, a second portion of airfoil cross section aligned transversely of the ski behind the binding area and a tail portion of airfoil cross section aligned longitudinally of the ski. The first and second airfoil cross sections have their thicker, more sharply curved sections disposed toward the inside edge of the ski, and the tail portion has its thicker, more sharply curved section disposed toward the front of the ski.

Abstract: A method of reducing residual stresses in a fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite laminate having at least one free edge includes the step of heating a region adjacent the free edge using a platen for a time period sufficient to form a localized melt zone of the thermoplastic in the region. The heating step is however done under a sufficient pressure to prevent delamination of the laminate. After this is done, the region is cooled for a time period and under a pressure sufficient using a platen to solidify the region and to prevent the lamination thereof.