Director Darwin

Roger - I pretty much follow your schedule (even days of the week!). I didn't put 22 into my run but will starting next year - I could have used it once or twice and hadn't run a 22 in 6 years.

John - as one of the three originators of the IST, I wish you guys luck in pulling off what seems an impossible task every year. I too have spoken to Tadd at length about the tests and expressed again what the original intent of the tests were. Good luck and have fun.

The ULM Warhawk water ski team won its 21st National Championship this past weekend in Pheonix, Arizona. Detail at www.ncwsa.com.

John - I think we are on the same page. I don't buy that there is a "pure" formula for cold/warm water just as there is no formula for "slow" or "fast" water. I tend to subscribe to the theory that water is water and the buoys are all in the same place site to site (or should be!). It is much easier to make small adjustments in skiing style than to search for the right fin number combination. That said, I do notice a difference in the way my ski(s) perform in April/May and Sept/Oct vs. the heat of summer. I'm not certain that any "tweaks" exist that would level the performance playing field but I'm always open to suggestions - particularly this time of year.

Jay - I believe the main objection most have with the wide ride is "no demo period". It would be foolish of me to invest $1500 based solely on how well Nick Parsons or any other skier performs on the product. It is a completely different ski in terms of shape and size. I believe it would take a significant amount of time to become accustomed to the differences. Those I've spoken w/ that have tried it are split 50/50. I can't take that type of gamble at this point knowing that my current ski (RCX) is working better than anything else I've ridden.

John - I believe water temp (and the related viscosity) play a MAJOR role in the performance of a ski. Our water fluctuates 30+ degrees from spring to summer to fall. Hydrodynamic changes occur in even small temperature fluctuations. The impact those changes have on our skis may not be significant enough to merit changes for every 5 degrees in variation but over the term of a season, I firmly believe that fin/binding adjustments are necessary. jhd

No problem - I have one from my daughter's ski I'm going to try this weekend. BTW - 6.945 - tips DFT is using head - not needle.ÂÂ

From my notes last year: Bindings - 30.5" Length - 6.945 Depth - 2.512 DFT - .775 7 deg wing Ski rips!!

ML - try the RCX first. If you don't like it, D3 will refund your money (less $40 demo fee). The Wide Ride has no demo program so you are stuck w/ a $1500 ski that may not work for you. If you can afford to throw away $1500, go for it!

Did it work better w/o the 22mph tailwind? You'll be drinking the D3 Kool-aid - book it! Bring over your collection this weekend!ÂÂ

I have been on hardshells for approx 6 years. Started w/ Powershells due to the low cost and demo program. Stuck w/ them until 3 years ago when I put FM boots on the Goode plate. Continued using dual loc until this year when I simply mounted a custom G-10 plate directly to the ski. I found I was using so much dual loc that the plate wasn't going to release anyway. Safety concerns got the best of me and I began to look at options. I've always considered the Reflex system to be the safest and most reliable. About a month ago, I made the switch to a Reflex front and HO rear. I found the Reflex front is much more responsive than my FM's and I have not missed having a rear hardshell whatsoever. After 2-3 sets, I was back to my average buoy count. My daughters have used the Reflex on their trick skis for the past 6 years w/o incident. The product is durable as well as reliable. If hardshells are your choice, I believe the Reflex system is the best available.  That said, DO NOT buy them from Remi / reflexworld.com. Bennett's is about 40% less than Remi and they won't screw you on the shipping either. www.skibennetts.com or call Ace at 225-654-9306. Ace is very helpful and will make certain it is set up correctly before sending to you. ÂÂ

I believe it's pretty close - closer than a Goode fin, anyway.

John - I still have a 106 from my Goode. Would this work in the D3 clamp? Would the different shape hurt/benefit the RCX? Might be worth a try, huh?

ZO is about to release a new version for field testing in the next two weeks. As for upgrading, I was in the same "boat" as you this past season. I upgraded due to the fact that (I believe) PP will focus more on the wakeboard and I/O crowd and leave the whining 3-event group to ZO. That means, w/o DBW, you are left with very little options.

No problem - figured as much.

John - hopefully, you've found a ski that works for you. Jumping around on different skis may be fun but it's not conducive to improvement. I've found my home on the RCX and the fact that UPS broke my last 9600 on its way to Goode for refinishing, I'm not tempted to go back to the "dark side".

I'm currently on a 68" - 34mph 35/38 off / 205lbs. Considering that you ski 36, I don't think the 67" would be too small. One of the members at my site has a 67" and I intend to try it this fall just for comparison but the 68" is working really well for me.ÂÂ

Was on a Goode. Tried both the RCX and Prophecy. I, like you was attracted to the affordable price of the Prophecy. But after skiing on the RCX, I'm sold. It performs better than my Goode for much less money. As for the Prophecy, it turned well but did not have the cross course speed I was accustomed to.

I think it is great that the ski companies still find value in good representation. I think Marcus is one of the best. He's intelligent, well spoken and remains on the cutting edge of slalom skiing. HO is fortunate to have him. I also noticed that Karen Truelove is now riding a Goode - that's two D3 skiers who have bolted this year. Hopefully, its not just for the money but also because they believe they have a better chance at winning on their new ride.

The main advantage to the G-10 plate is that you can move both bindings from ski to ski very easily and keep your distance between bindings the same. Convenience - that's the main advantage. I would suspect that since the G-10 flexs easier than aluminum, there may be an advantage when it comes to allowing the ski to flex natuarally. Not certain on that but it would make sense. Cost is another issue - the G-10 plate is much less than the "carbon" plate sold by Reflex. I've recently moved to the Reflex system and once I'm comfortable w/ my binding placements, I'll be moving to a single G-10 plate. My neighbor, Erb has made dozens of custom plates for Reflex applications - you can contact him at teammalibu2000@yahoo.com

Addiction - sorry, long day so far!

The RCX got me off the orange and black after 7 years of addition. It was one expensive habit!

Err on the short side - go w/ the 66"

Chad's new boat (w/ ZO) is awesome. Feels a bit stronger than my SNj on "B" setting. Went to "A" and felt great! The delay I feel w/ SG coming out of the buoy really screws me up. I like both systems but they are different. I believe that's the real issue - not which is best.

I can't imagine why D3 would need to increase volume in a ski that is already very stable. I understand that no changes are coming to the RCX for 2009 - and there shouldn't be. One of - if not the best - ski I've ever ridden. And the 67" that's being past around my site is gaining fans by the boat load!