PB! and thanks

[Than_Bogan]

Hey, in your late 30's PBs don't exactly happen every day, and after two injury-affected seasons, I was pretty pumped on Saturday to add a half ball to my (tournament) best at 34 mph, getting 4 @ -38.

A lot of what I've read and thought about here has really helped me get my skiing back to where it was, so thanks to everyone!  This includes general form advice (e.g. the Tome of Handle Control), 38-specific advice, and some very helpful fin-tuning advice. Finally, a special mention of bdecker, who took some pictures two weeks ago that revealed a body position problem at the 1-ball.  Although it took some time to figure out why this was happening, and some failed experiments on correcting it (including a practice day where I didn't run a pass), it came together late in the week and I started getting my best gates in many years, maybe ever.

At the tournament I ran a respectable 1.5, then a best-in-three-years 3, and finally a best ever 4.  COOL!  We were doing a single group for all skiers who had run 96 buoys or more, and I tied for the win, but came in second due to third-best-round tiebreak (winner's scores were 4/3/2.5).

Too bad the tournament season is over here, but at least now I can plan Nationals into my schedule for 2011 and hopefully meet some more of you in person!

[MrJones]

Happy for ya man! The good thing about end of season PB's is that it helps fire you up for that off season gym work. Enjoy!

[Chef23]

Than skied great yesterday. There was a big group of skiers running into 38 off. It was a lot of fun to watch for me who is a chop and skied like crap.

[Than_Bogan]

Thanks, Chef!  While it obviously was a poor tournament for you, I'm pretty sure there are good things in your future.  I would say you have the best chance to be the next person to move out of our "handicapping" group and into our "96 buoy" group.  But don't hurry too much, because I think we're gonna need you to drive the 96ers next year! :)  Better have you drive the first round, in case you pull a Dan Lausten and run -35 to switch groups mid-tournament!

Actually, I don't know if it will be possible to run the tournament like this again next year, but I will say we* had a ton of fun by ignoring everybody's age (except Boys/Girls I/II) and dividing into one group that competed with extra buoys based on past performance and another group that competed on raw score.

*Or at least I had a ton of fun, anyhow.  Felt like a Regionals except with 3 rounds.

[Chef23]

I thought the handicap division was great it was fun to be able to have people from different divisions compete against each other.