Why are downhill ski poles bent?

I was cleaning out my garage when I found a pair of bent ski poles. I was going to throw them away when my dad told me they where downhill ski poles. Why are they bent ?

Comments

[cerberustugowar]

like redesign said, they are tucked behind to reduce the chance of hooking or hitting a gate and I'm sure they are also tucked behind the skier for more aerodynamics ( as minimal as it may be)

[Re-design]

So that they tuck behind the skier out of the wind and have less chance to catch on the gate as the go by it.

[seandogue]

AFAIk, to fit the body and provide a more streamlined profile whilst racing down the slopes. In a word, they're more ergonomic.