Ropes

[BS74]

What ropes are they using for the Masters qualifier and Swiss Pro? Are they using the ML 2.0, standard rope, or do they have a choice? Are local tournaments giving a choice?

[markn]

I believe the Masters qualifier was Masterline, but not certain. I know at the Swiss Pro, they used HO.

[BS74]

I guess what I'm interested in is are they using a "stretch" verses traditional.

[markn]

Looks like for the Masters, as Masterline is the official rope, it is the 9.75 optima 2. Having used both the Masterline optima 2 and the HO Syndicate rope, the Syndicate has little if any "give or stretch". Both great ropes, but feel different to me.

[BS74]

I have a ML 2.0 and do not like it at all, and always go back to my "non stretch" rope. Are tournaments, regionals, nationals, etc giving a choice? Seems I remember Open skiers at nationals were given a choice, and all should have the choice.

[Stevie Boy]

Competitions would the equipment being used, favour the sponsor ?

 

[markn]

@BS74 give the Syndicate knotless rope a try. It will feel like a steel cable compared to the Optima 2. Once you are 32 off and shorter, the difference does decline, but still feel no stretch or give with the Syndicate. Best thing to do is contact the tournament site and ask what ropes will be used. Then practice with that rope.

[lpskier]

Take your ML out of the packing, attach the handle end to a fixed object. Using a ratchet strap and a fishing scale, attach the boat end to another fixed object. You attach the long end of the ratchet straps to the object and the short end to the top of the fish scale and the bottom of the scale to the rope. Tighten the strap to 44lbs. Every five minutes or so, tighten the strap back to 44lbs. Once it more or less stops stretching, let it sit for an hour under tension

. It will feel great when you use it.

[dchristman]

@lpskier Not that I don't believe you, but why? They are advertised as pre-stretched. Are they not pre-stretched enough?

[lpskier]

I have skied some this spring at tournaments that felt spongy until they had several sets on them. I bought a new Optimized 2 rope recently, stretched it as described above and it felt great from the first I used it. I did not try that specific rope before i stretched it. That is all I can say.

[wettek69]

What do they do in tournaments with the ropes? From the comments above, the first couple of skiers could get a crappy spongy feeling rope and later skiers getting a good rope, if a new rope is used? How is the playing field levelled so no one is disadvantaged?

[lpskier]

@wettek69 Typically, the ropes get used in practice in the days leading up to the tournament to break them in. Sometimes they don’t get used enough, especially if you are using multiple ropes. That’s why I like to pre-stretch them.

 

This is not picking on any rope maker. All ropes start out new and need some break in. I break them in by stretching them on the shore; most people may prefer to break them in behind the boat. I do not claim that my way is the best.

 

I’m on my second ML Optimized 2 rope and I love it (my elbows really love it). I skied a tournament a couple weeks ago and used an HO rope. It felt different, let’s say stiffer, first round. Second round I didn’t even notice it. It’s a great rope, too. I also like In Tow, but you hardly ever see them at a tournament.

[Broussard]

@wettek69 Most quality tournaments hosts will make sure that they ski on or stretch the rope prior to the event.

[APB]

It would be rad to see a comparison between the 2 ropes... has anyone done this?

[teammalibu]

We ski several sets on all of our tourney ropes a couple days before the tournament doesn’t matter if they are new or used. Then measure them.

[BS74]

I've had my ski partner ski the 2.0 for a week or so to stretch it out, then I tried it, just don't like it! I'm Not going to pay a $100 + to go to a tournament and get that rope! This is not a knock on ML, as I ski their regular non stretch. No one has answered my question as to the pros getting a choice like they did at nationals, and will we get a choice? I had the ML 1.5(?) last summer and gave that rope away, that's $270 dollars for 2 ropes. I don't want to drag this conversation out, but I'm pretty sure there are others who feel as I do.

[lpskier]

In an ELR, the LOC has the option of offering two different type ropes to choose from. IWWF Rule 5.09(g); AWSA 10.16(B)(4). These rules do not apply to class C tournaments. If I was running a Class C, I’d ask the rules committee chair for a clarification or a rule exception to allow use of different ropes if I wanted to offer two different ropes.

[BS74]

Lpskier: I'd be interested in knowing which rope is preferred the most at an ELR event. How do I address someone on here to their title instead of writing it out like I just did for for you?

[lpskier]

Like this: use the “at” symbol plus the name like lpskier. No space between the two

[lpskier]

@BS74 Based on my skiing experience, usually you’ll see ML, either Optimized or the black model. You also see the HO rope frequently. Other than that, I’d say other ropes are a one off at particular tournaments.

[dbutcher]

Would skiers support a stretchiness standard established by AWSA/IWWF with a pretty tight range so that ropes would not feel so different?

[dave2ball]

@dbutcher i doubt it. You have to have stretch in the rope otherwise you may as well ski with a steel cable. A stretch less rope as you are describing would destroy your body.

[dbutcher]

The range could be established so that all ropes had some stretchiness - close to the same stretchiness.

[Broussard]

Sounds like a nightmare

[ski6jones]

I thought I read on here there was already some type of standard for this. Not true?

 

[dbutcher]

I am unaware of (and can't find) any existing standard for stretch. That doesn't mean there isn't one of course. There is a minimum breaking load standard of 1600 lbs for a standard rope found in Rule 8.04 - page 28 of the AWSA rule book.

[Kelvin]

The IWWF rulebook for 2019 had standards for rope stretch, but the 2021 rulebook has eliminated those standards. Not sure why those changes were made.