Product Liability: Bret D'Auguste was an experienced skier when he rented equipment to ski at Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl in New York. When D'Auguste entered an extremely difficult trail, he noticed immediately that the surface consisted of ice with almost no snow. He tried to exit the steeply declining trail by making a sharp right turn, but in the attempt, his left ski snapped off. D'Auguste lost his balance, fell, and slid down the mountain, striking his face and head against a fence along the trail. According to a report be a rental shop employee, one of the bindings on D'Auguste's skis had a "cracked heel housing." D'Auguste filed a lawsuit against the bindings manufacturer on a theory of strict product liability. The manufacturer filed a motion for summary judgment.

Take a position on either the manufacturer's side or D'Auguste's and develop an argument to grant summary judgment on the side of the case that you are defending. Be clear and explain your reasoning well.