who is #2?

[Horton]

Smith is clearly # 1 on all accounts.

 

I wrote an opinion post about who is my # 2 Mens skier in the world but it sucked and I deleted it.

 

So who do you think is the number # 2 Mens slalom skier in the world and why?

 

Attention Caption Obvious, I have seen the ranking lists – both lists have merits and faults. Who do you think is the biggest challenge to Smith?

 

[Than_Bogan]

In all honestly, he's by himself right now. His biggest challenger is that wall at his house that he hurt himself on last year.

 

But I'll think about it and try to pick somebody eventually.

[Tim Vaio]

After watching these guys in person the past few years at numerous events, I think that on a regular basis Freddie Winter is the closest. I think based on a sporadic event performance there is a large group who could pressure him at times including CP, Rossi, Will, TGas.

At the ProAm Nate had to beat 3@41 in both the quarters and final to win so Rossi and Freddie at least made him work.

I think Nate has separated himself and as long as he stays focused he will remain a step above the pack.

[Horton]

Elite list no longer makes sense to me

[Wish]

Seems half a dozen or so. Even TW has been on a roll. Deep deep 41s in practice and consistancy in tournaments (hail to the vertically challenged). Honestly if TW had Nates hight...they would be swapping 1 and 2. To me it boils down to mental toughness and focus more then anything. Nate is just silly anomaly at this point. Focused.. yes, tough..yes but not really needing to be and it shows. Others chasing him that have visable focus seem to push him the most. There is no clear #2.

[TylerR]

I would say that if we are talking about the current crop of 36mph skiers it's Nate by himself, with Asher and Parish in a battle for second. I would argue that there are some older guys who would beat them all if they were still at that stage of life.

[Chef23]

I think Asher and Parish have proven to be capable of running 41 there aren't any other skiers that seem to have done it as much as them. That said they aren't capable of doing it regularly enough to push Nate.

 

I think KC Wilson has shown a lot of progress this year and hope he can continue to develop.

[Texas6]

Not a valid reply, but if TW were 6'+, he would be the first challenger. After that, today Parish is still the #2 challenger in my opinion.

[jipster43]

Parish is the outright #2 skier - if practice counted. I believe Nate's performances are going to pull everyone up with him sooner or later. Freddie Winter and KC Wilson are certainly going to have the time to develop along with him.

[Than_Bogan]

I'm unable to make a case for a challenger so I'll cheat and change the question to Who WILL challenge Nate?

 

I say KC Wilson.

[gregy]

Dane Mechler should be another challanger next season.

[crashman]

Time for a Jamie Beauchesne comeback

[rockdog]

Fast becoming Freddie.

[A_B]

Forgive me...

 

 

[ForrestGump]

CP is still capable of running 41 any round he jumps in the water. But Freddie W is putting down big scores at big time tournaments and isn't going down at 39.

[A_B]

Odvarko looked pretty capable at 41. He ran some pretty easy 39's. I don't think there is a clear #2. Mid-41 isn't pressing Nate that much. His biggest obstacle, the gates, seem to be under control.

[E_T]

I bet Mapple and Rodgers would give him a run for his money till this day. Combined they have seen more 41 and 43 then Nate ever will.

[rq0013]

Next year it will be Kc Wilson or Freddie. If Cale burdick comes back.... He consistently posted big scores

[6balls]

...more 41 and 43 than Nate ever will? Not if he stays healthy and I'd hate to think how many practice and tourney combined 41's Nate has at this point. CP #2 if more consistent (he has the big scores in him but age has a way of making those break through scores less consistent), barring that the new guard of Freddie and I believe KC have real potential. Unless they run 41 in good conditions with regularity, however, they are not a challenge day in/day out...playing for second.

[markchilcutt]

After meeting and spending a little time with Freddie Winter this weekend i say Freddie is that guy IMO.

[ToddL]

KC is the next up-and-coming challenger. He's not there, yet.

[Stathis Ventouris]

Freddie is 22 he took out TGas and Will (not an easy task), loves skiing and will be the one to challenge Nate next year if he stays healthy.

[andjules]

Will be interesting to see if Neveu keeps stepping up in the next couple of years. He's pretty high on those lists for a guy quite a bit younger than Nate and Freddie.

[MattP]

Freddie was born in 1990 so is 24.

[wtrskior]

nobody mentioned Jon Travers. One of the only other dudes to get down 41 in a tourny... Masters winner as well.

[MrJones]

IMHO it is a 3 way tie.

Willy: Huge skill and talent.

TGas: Looks rough, but he consistently gets it done in all conditions.

Fred Winter: The young gun/beast mode dude. Will be interesting to see his progress.

 

Wild card is CP. If he gets his confidence on track he is there.

[Ilivetoski]

It always seems to be Nate on top, then Asher. 3rd is a toss up. It could be freddie, it could be CP, it could be Tgas, it could be Rossi, it could be Larkin. I feel like I can bet that it will be Nate followed by Will 9 times out of 10. Even that last 1 time Nate will still be on top. I feel like I can count on 1 hand the number of times that Nate has competed and not won since he won his first pro tournament in California.. Gold rush it think it is?

[Ilivetoski]

I think that KC is going to be up there at every tournament in the next few years. After seeing the video of him running 41 and knowing he has done it multiple times in practice, hes not someone Nate should take lightly. Especially still being in school.

[MrJones]

My thoughts were regarding "pro skiing". Masters, worlds, etc. There are lots of talented skiers who on any given weekend can put up a big (huge) score. From what I have seen lately those are the three on the pro scene. By that logic Larkin might be in there as well.

[ntx]

@andjules‌ another vote for neveu. I think he us still under 21 and will have a huge reach advantage over just about anyone else. The kid has got to be about 6 foot 5 or taller. He is pretty new to the sport and his up side looks good.

[Horton]

Good conditions. Good boats. Low stress CP gets my bet.

Cash prize event. Variable conditions Asher gets my bet.

The new guy who I think could be the next guy to explore 43 is Freddie Winter. He is the guy I am watching. I expect him to be the next big star in the sport.

 

[Razorskier1]

I think KC has a shot at it. Technically terrific.

[MrJones]

Horton. Are you sure you are not just watching Freddie b/c of his hair? Will it make you feel better about your skiing if hair like that is getting into 43'? Can you be objective about this???

[Horton]

@MrJones his hair counts against him in my book.

He knocked me down the list of most noteworthy male hair in the sport.

[Texas6]

@andjules @ntx, +1 on Neveu....Not only is he 9 feet tall, but he has complete backing to chase this dream and he's hungry....

[skinut]

The question to be asked is who does #2 work for....

[LeonL]

Most noteworthy hair in the sport? Where does Marcus fall into that equation?

[Horton]

@LeonL‌ @MarcusBrown‌ is king

[Chef23]

At the risk of getting banned I think Marcus beats out Horton. KC Wilson belongs in the discussion as well.

[LeonL]

KC is obviously an up and comer in hair as well as skiing ability.

[Andre]

Whoever it is,he's way behind Nate.Big difference between running mid 41 and running the pass a couples of times each tournament.

Nate will be king for a while!

[ozski]

Joel Howley has just put his hand up for consideration in this conversation. Go Aussie!

[zippin_2]

Tfinn

[Niles Taylor]

....and who does he work for? :#