whitem71

Kinda depends on how tight it is for your foot without the laces tightened. To pop it on loosely I could probably do this with mine in the water, just need to loosen the bungee laces fully. However, if you like to cinch them nice and snug or the binding is sized a little small for your foot, the easiest way is to jump onto the platform - if you have one. Which begs the question, if you do, why wouldn’t you?

@jhughes that’s interesting, wonder if the TF’s differ a little across production batches or maybe the newer ones have revised designs perhaps. Do you wear it tight at the top like I do?

I’ve used a T-Factor front and RTP for a cpl of seasons after being in my Leverage for years which I loved (but it fell apart). The TFactor in the same size (med) appeared slightly looser than the Leverage from the start, so I always tend to tighten the bungees more than I did with the old bindings (as does Nate if you watch him cinch up really tight before his set, and is what Paul Crawford from d3 advised too). The TF is quite a bit stiffer laterally so gives great edge control and direction, but is definitely softer to forwards and particularly backwards flex than the Leverage, which I don’t personally like as much. Makes it harder to turn on my onside because I guess I tend to hook the turn pulling front foot toes up which just makes me rock back with softer backwards flex. The result is often a stalled turn. Yes I’m sure my technique isn’t perfect but I used to nail my onside turn in the Leverage every single time. A ski buddy of mine has actually ripped apart the rubber wraps on the back of his TF due the constant backwards flex...you don’t get that with a HS binding, or indeed the Leverage due the rear laces. I’m still debating whether to try a Hardshell as the stiffness, increased ski control and little to no rear flex appeals. Still, a good binding but if it was stiffer to backwards flex I’d like it more, and it definitely gets softer over time too, and in warm weather/water. Mind you Nate seems to cope fine, but I wonder if he changes his binding regularly for a new stiff one?

Drew’s lake sure is a magical place to ski

Anyone have experience of the Masterline handle guard?

Awesome episode Matteo thanks again for making my work commute interesting. There’s been a lot of requests on social media for some of the greatest British water skiers to be interviewed - Mike Hazelwood, John Battleday, Glenn Campbell, Jodi Fisher, Jeremy Newby-Ricci, Phillipa Roberts-Shedd, Karen Morse, Kathy Hulme etc etc the list is huge and these guys were the worlds best in their day... Keep up the great work ??

@Chris Rossi Shame it’s not available in the UK ?

His is an Incredible story, and it’s very sad to hear of his passing. Wonderful family legacy. It’s got me thinking if any other coach past or present can claim to have taught as many champions as Jim did?

Fred Winter Pt 1 - best podcast yet. Superb detail surrounding his early days in the sport, and it was great that Matteo let him speak freely without interruption. Perfect.

Same here in the UK I’m afraid ?

Probably the best waterski podcast I’ve heard fullstop. Jays voice is like a hot knife through butter and wow what he has done for our sport ? He is spot on about making it a show for the public as well as affordable (his ski school rates are very reasonable), but the problem is back in the 70/80’s waterskiing was new and very exciting. Now with every extreme sport imaginable on TV & internet 24/7, waterskiing looks a bit boring. We need a different format for our comps to make it exciting again. Problem is I or anyone else haven’t figured out what yet. Plus it needs hard work and money but with YouTube views comes money and sponsorship....

@Horton you have officially put the cat amongst the pigeons. Why have we wasted our money over these last 20 years if old skis can still do it, although I do think the power of sheer determination (and hard shells) helps. That offside turn looks pretty vicious and I reckon as good (if not harder) as any other ski I’ve seen you ride. Mind you, I do wonder how sore your elbows are going to be soon...

Interesting that although the style adopted by most modern pro slalom skiers (I.e. Level head, forward reach, counter rotation) is quite different to that of this era, BLP still looks pretty on it all those years ago. Class act. Anyone else notice though KLP's gate was pretty much identical to Robert Pigozzis!

That 10.25 Fred ran was sublime (I watched from the dock), problem is 9.75 still looks stupidly short especially for RFF skiers on their offside for one. No one as yet seems to have been able to cast the ski out wide enough not to look just awkward and narrow. How many LFF skiers can get into 43 I wonder???

Thanks Matteo, makes my commute enjoyable, problem is I get to work and want to go ski!

Sometimes it's just cool to watch how amazing these guys were 37 years ago...

..and I wonder if that slalom wetsuit that loads of people used in the 80's helped too?

What a fantastic slalom skier Carl Roberge was, beautifully smooth especially his offside. Although the technology of our modern skis would definitely have made a difference and would I reckon have taken him deep into 41 maybe into 43, I can't help wondering if ZO would have been a hinderance. He was a big dude and it seems to me he was slowing the boat down so I wonder what the course times actually were...

I loved it too and just really want to hear our top skiers shooting from the hip, not what their sponsors want them to say. Tricky though I know but fun.

Is Joel skiing anyone know?

So why do we still not use the safety rope nets that were so popular in the 80's Pro Tour Mastercrafts?

Agreed, I feel there is so much more to be said but it seems some people are understandably a little reluctant to share their feelings. On the positive side, the webcast was good, commentary was entertaining (if a little chaotic but that poor guy was up there for hours), the event timings were pretty solid and the boats didn't break down. Running over the line made me chuckle though. On the flip side, there seemed to be more injuries than usual, the jump events looked scary and there was zero atmosphere from the non existent crowd. Why bid for the event if you can't guarantee spectators? Perhaps it was an exercise for the Malaysian government tourism board? I was also disappointed to see the judges get Nates gates call wrong, I mean this is the world championships! Having said all that, whilst gutted our Fred missed out, I was mega chuffed to see the really likeable, tough and talented Joel Howley take the slalom gold. Hope he makes a good recovery, but anyone else wonder why he bindings didn't release?

@andjules yes I realised after I posted it but it nicely demonstrates the problem with large lakes. I’m actually looking forward to seeing how they all manage but hope everyone skis safely..

Maybe I should put some money on Jacinta for the slalom gold ?

Every time I see footage from past comps on this lake I just wince.. Not matter how calm the weather seems, big lakes are normally a little deeper and thus always have an element of swell and changeable water conditions minute by minute. One for the heavier, experienced or European skier? Would love to know how they plan to combat the conditions - fin, bindings, soft knees or bigger skis!?