Release binding for telemark skiing, back country skiing, and ski jumping

A release binding for releasably holding a boot on a ski during telemark skiing, back country skiing, and ski jumping, the boot having a sole with an insert, said release binding comprising:

• a release abutment configured to engage a front portion of the sole of the boot, said release abutment enabling lateral or diagonal disengagement of the boot under a substantial torsional force;
• a rear element configured to engage the insert of the sole;
• a longitudinal guide, said rear element being positioned for sliding longitudinally along the ski in said longitudinal guide;
• and
• an elastic return device adapted to exert an elastic force from said rear element to said insert of the sole.

A release binding for releasably holding a boot on a ski, the boot having sole having an engagement member, said release binding comprising:

• a release abutment having a fixed portion, a movable portion, and a spring defining a threshold force against which said movable portion is movable, said movable portion being laterally movable with respect to said fixed portion and being configured to engage a front portion of the sole of the boot, said movable portion being mounted for release of the front portion of the sole of the boot upon exertion of a release force beyond said threshold force;
• a rear element configured to engage the engagement member of the sole;
• and
• an elastic return device, independent of said spring, exerting an elastic force between said release abutment and said rear element to secure the insert of the sole therebetween.