Ski Test Chatter

[Wish]

So John, you've been on two of these type skies. Any insite if the little steps do anything substantial? An S2 ride might help that thought process. So what is the next ski on the rack??

[Horton]

S2 in spring I hope. I am done for year.

 

These skis seem to scoot off second wake

[Horton]

Yea don't have time to do it justice

[MrJones]

John,

It seems that you have mostly been riding 68" skis for the tests. It appears that you were on a 67" for this. From riding a 67" Prophecy in the past I would think that would be a fairly small ski for you at 34.

 

Do you think that the ski size could have a good bit to do with the need to "stay level" and for your ability to scrap if needed at short line?

[Horton]

Not a bad question but slightly ill informed. The Sans and The Razor are 68s. The HO, D2, Connelly that I reviewed were 67s. I think SanRival would benefit from a 67 but the Razor does not feel big.

 

I agree that ski width is a factor but I think the design of the Connelly makes is loose in terms of roll and that is why staying level is critical.

[skidawg]

Mmmm? Don't have time to do it justice. Please explain?

[Horton]

Winter

[Dirt]

I love every ski I have ever skied on...Horton

[skidawg]

Fennell and MS really enjoy brittney, give them a call

[Horton]

Wow! You just never know what Dirt is thinking.

[Dirt]

Fennell is a big hairy Canadian

[kfennell]

Yes I am

[Horton]

No idea what this is all about but the ski is great

[TWB]

OB,

Did you ride the Fusion last weekend?

[skidawg]

Horton is not brand loyal, he is gonna be on the next edition of Hoarders on A & E!

[Horton]

@OB I have no idea what my normal ski is.

 

Brand does not = balls.

Design may = balls.

[ForrestGump]

Much like some of my ex's, Horton is a slut. He'll ride anything that shows up at his door.

[Horton]

@ob I have favorites

[Bulldog]

John, which ones are your favourites??

[Ed_Obermeier]

If I'm allowed to stick my foot in here - is it really fair to ask John that question knowing what lengths and efforts he's going to to bring these reviews to us? Dirty work I know and someone has to do it, right John? Would that color or slant your opinion of his reviews if you knew what his "favorite" ski(s) is/was/are? IMO he appears to be trying to be as neutral and insiteful as possible, shouldn't we let it go at that?

 

If I may - having been involved in one of the last formal WSM "ski tests" I have to agree that it's much better information-wise getting one knowledgable tester riding one ski a bunch of times (enough to become really familiar with it) to review it as opposed to several people giving first impressions based on a very few rides. IMO the information being gleaned from that process is much more useful and much more meaningful. My opinion FWIW.

 

Ed

[Bulldog]

Ed, good point. I was just curious. I hope I did not offend anyone.

[Ed_Obermeier]

Wasn't offended a bit. Just offering a view point.

[Horton]

This discussion was created from comments split from: 2012 Connelly Prophecy Review.

[Horton]

@ShaneH and you are not a slut?

 

[ForrestGump]

This isn't about me, John!

[skidawg]

We are talking skis here boys, not women

[Horton]

@Brent no that is what we did the first time around.

It was a lot of fun for the skiers but I do not think it resulted in the best data.

 

Unfortunately, I am better at riding anything than I am at rounding a lot of balls. I find that many skiers struggle to give a lot of clear feedback because they are not accustom to thinking about how a one ski is different from another. The other part of the problem is everyone describes what they feel differently so it is impossible to draw it all together into one report.

 

I just try to be fair and analytical. Give the best info I know how.

 

It is like @ShaneH - He can lie to all kinds of women where I struggle to lie to my wife.

[kfennell]

This site is racist... There I said it. Afraid of the superior Canadian race...

[Than_Bogan]

@OB But I am still one rank ahead of Horton, and since I am bad, it follows that he is too.

 

Simple logic, really.

 

But seriously, it's probably true that switching skis quite this frequently ultimately costs him a buoy or two, and that's just one more sacrifice that we should be thanking him for!

[Than_Bogan]

Sounds great!

 

Frankly, I doubt I can maintain this ranking anyhow. 2011 seemed a bit of an outlier, although naturally I am crossing my fingers that it was just the start of something even better.

[Horton]

I have always seen this as an event where you are never as good as you wish you were. I do not really care about my rank, I just want to round more of those stupid orange balls.

 

I am not sure what this means but I ran 38 on 3 skis this year and got 3 or 4 at 38 first set out on each test ski - plus Nano Twist and 2012 Strada. Makes me wish I could go to 12 step program for ski addiction, ride one ski and try to run more balls.

 

[Than_Bogan]

Amen to that.

 

Somehow there's always another buoy...

 

I remember years ago being surprised at all the flaws Jamie identified in his own skiing after running deep -41 at our local tournament. To us, his skiing was some kind of miracle before our eyes. To him, he just wanted to round more of those stupid orange balls...

[skidawg]

Once again kfen, canadian is a nationality, not a race. Freakin' youngin's, got no clue.

[Horton]

@skidawg I thought "Canadian" was an affliction or infection like VD but less fun and more painful

[skidawg]

You may be right, I wonder if it is contagious from casual contact, i.e. riding in a boat.

[Horton]

This is the only thing worth a darn I can find that has ever come from Canada

[jdarwin]

Canadian contributions: Alan Thicke, Shania Twain, Celine Dion, Lover Boy, the song from Sheriff that ends with the high pitched end note, the thrilling sport of curling, the six months of winter and six months of poor snowmobile weather, Federal vs Provincial responsibilities and finally, the Canadian Temperature Conversion Chart:

 

50 Fahrenheit (10 C)

Americans try to turn on the heat.

Canadians plant gardens.

 

 

40 Fahrenheit (4.4 C)

Californians shiver uncontrollably

Canadians Sunbathe.

 

 

35 Fahrenheit (1.6 C)

Italian Cars won't start

Canadians drive with the windows down

 

 

32 Fahrenheit (0 C)

Distilled water freezes

Canadian water gets thicker.

 

 

0 Fahrenheit (-17.9 C)

New York City landlords finally turn on the heat.

Canadians have the last cookout of the season.

 

 

-40 Fahrenheit (-40 C)

Hollywood disintegrates.

Canadians rent some videos.

 

 

-60 Fahrenheit (-51 C)

Mt. St. Helen's freezes.

Canadian Girl Scouts sell cookies door-to-door.

 

 

-100 Fahrenheit (-73 C)

Santa Claus abandons the North Pole

Canadians pull down their earflaps.

 

 

-173 Fahrenheit (-114 C)

Ethyl alcohol freezes.

Canadians get frustrated when they can't thaw the keg.

 

 

-459.4 Fahrenheit (-273 C)

Absolute zero; all atomic motion stops.

Canadians start saying "cold, eh? "

 

 

-500 Fahrenheit (-295 C)

Hell freezes over.

The Leafs win the Cup

 

 

[Horton]

Hmm ok 2 good things from Canada

 

http://static.cl1.vanilladev.com/ballofspray.vanillaforums.com/uploads/FileUpload/a0/4a7d4c50acef54585adad7c4e0daba.jpg

[Horton]

Still does not make up for @kfennell

[lpskier]

Horton: Regarding ski length, I am on a 68 Prophecy now and intend to upgrade my ride when Connelly builds a 68 of the new Prophecy. I am 6'2' (used to be taller) and ski at 192. What is your height and weight? I am curious about whether I want to try a 67. Thanks.

[Horton]

@lpskier I am about your weight but 5 inches shorter. Yea I would try the 67. Does not seem small.

 

First guy to make a joke gets banned.

[EF23]

John, you are clearly are more muscular than most. Hello, not fat. Let's see the comenting ski better than you!

[ForrestGump]

John's not fat. He's fluffy.

[Horton]

I am a little fluffy

[Horton]

@EF23 you are clearly a great skier and human being

[jdarwin]

John's just short for his weight.

[alex38]

john, great reviews this season, you use your RS-1 binding set up for every test?

[Horton]

@alex38 yes. RS-1 or Strada

[jlittle]

Burrrr. Lets get back on topic.

[6balls]

Than, your composite will go up next year, Horton's too. Just hope I can hang right in there w/you now that Horton leap frogged me by 0.17 buoy! My goal was 100 composite this year, came up a squeak short.

As for the ski testing, I definitely appreciate it, John, as I sure don't get a chance to ride many skis.