drew

If you are considering Orlando at all, you need to check out Isles of Lake Hancock in Winter Garden/Windermere area. Extremely unique setting where homeowners can enjoy boathouses on both a man-made tournament ski lake (in the front) and the Lake Hancock chain of three lakes in the back. The community is gated with lush landscaping and water abound.

I too am partially through @SkiJay 's work--super insightful, thought provoking and on-point relevance throughout... and sure to assist skiers everywhere in the years to come. Exciting!

Here is what I know: Masterline products not only lead the way in innovation, craftsmanship, and quality, design and style, they are built right here in Winter Garden, FL, by good American skiers who then convert $$ to gas and go innovate some more... you get it?? This is how the evolution occurs, why not support it and keep it going

Call Russell at Quantum/Masterline--I have talked him into a new BigDaddy model that is 46". I tested a prototype a few months ago, it's awesome! In case you are wondering, I taught Russell most of his tricks...

@jayski is correct--none of the G5's are the same as the Elite in shape. Each ski has been an evolution of its predecessors, but a completely new shape. The G5 is a remarkably comfortable and high performing ski.

Tom, my comments are intended only as food for thought, and to a certain extent I agree with much of what you are saying. Costs ARE prohibitive in this sport--any change that I am suggesting we consider would involve only widening the skier buoys 0.5m. I am not saying the event is broken by any means--but it may be better, more interesting, more challenging, if the course were a little tougher, that's all.

I think that the weight of influence of both skier height and boat path become slightly reduced if the course width is increased. The geometry will become more difficult, and will require more skill (rather than jus raw reach). The warm-up passes (whatever they may be) would become less "given", and keep everything interesting... we would see an increased premium placed on efficiency. The current metric course dimensions have served us since the 70's? Think of the equipment advances--skis, boats, speed control--plus, as mentioned earlier, the smaller buoys have essentially made the course narrower. Video analysis and controlled conditions have reduced the "mystery" of how to get it done. Things may have gotten a little stale as far as how challenging a successful pass (any pass) ought to be. Compare to golf--yes, the equipment is much improved--but the courses are also five to ten percent longer than forty years ago.

I would like to see the course dimension of 11.5m from centerline changed to 12m, all else equal.

Ballers, some of the runs you will see out of these guys and girls are mind blowing--straight up the best entertainment out there. Zharnasek vs Ballon, Berdnikava vs Lang--plus a healthy chunk of other contenders. Throw in a little dough and feel good about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a cool shot--and boy, can he ski. That has to be at Fischlham, with the crystal clear water. I was lucky enough to get to train there with Dorien's mama and pops for a couple of weeks nearly 23 years ago. Because it was leading up to the worlds, it was a Boesch boat--mahogany! so the next time your kiddo complains that you forgot to take it out of trick mode, remind him how good they have it now...

One way for it to not go so terribly fast... spend much of it in a trick boat!

Like @Andjules, I am a HUGE Cory and Patrice fan, but love the direction of tricks today. The top men and women have managed to continually innovate and re-define standards. These athletes could be stars at the highest level of any number of sports

The Quantum is the best performing and most forgiving shape of them all. Do not be afraid of going bigger than you think--the ski is super surfy and easy to manage at the same time.

No one knows how good Seth really is. Amazing human being.

TFIN--that is good stuff. Maybe that is the connection between Mike Babcock and another member of the Team Canada coaching staff, swerve maestro Ralph Krueger. Ralph tries to keep up with his daughter Geena, but Geena seems to keep a pass or two ahead of him

@andjules--that tip profile is reminding you of the RS 720 you and Morgan used to ride at Jim Bush's... as a former EP Wingtip owner, I now seek a Quantum 46". Russell won't listen to me.

Ed, why are you so cool? My vision of peace on earth would include Ed on a course install mission, one day, one lake at a time, forest gump style... If a man could measure his contribution to the world by the number of courses he has installed (which I believe to be a fair measure), Ed is on top.

@rockdog, Amen on Nate's potential, but I'd be careful selling CP or Will short. Either of those two could exceed this score when dialed.

I like the numbers posted by @jayski, but the length can be tips of 6.845... also, 68 can bump forward a bit, especially depending on binding location.

What an exciting time in the sport. As a skier, I have really enjoyed witnessing Nate's arrival on the scene, his approach, talent and technical model. As a coach and father of a little skier, I have found myself referencing his program, and utilizing his skiing as a model. It is really easy to be a fan of Nate and the way he skis.

I taught mlusa everything he knows, including how to design his skis. The only thing he hasn't listened on yet is to build me a 46" so I can take my action to the Masters... Horton, you might need one of those too. Neilly rides quantum because it is the most balanced and efficient ski out there. Russell has done a lot of work on rocker and shape. The subtle shape differences are somewhat proprietary but are significant.

I am a trick dad. Slalom dad too, but as a trick dad, I am exposed to many of the intricacies and epic occurrences that make the event so interesting, but are so hard to follow from the outside--even by those who love the event, and would really like to know what is going on. Yesterday was a pinnacle in one of the most impressive stories I have had the fortune of following. To set the stage, Anna is currently in the midst of her Girls 2 "graduation ceremony" (States, Regionals, Nationals). The nation's number one ranked open women's skier, and current U17 World Champion Erika Lang, has held the Girls 2 record of 6790 (an incredible feat--remember, Girls 2 is 10-13) since 2008. Anna has had an outstanding senior year in the Girls 2 division this season; she won the Junior Masters, the Junior US Open, and has surpassed the national record score eight times (before yesterday) in competition, with at least one of these performances already rumored to have been approved, and others still in line. Though many would shoot for secure performances at Regionals and Nationals with the aim of the titles, Anna again went out with an aggressive run and nailed it, scoring 7480 at the Southern Regionals--this is an absolutely phenomenal performance. The wave of young junior super star trick skiers owe a lot to Anna. She has been the leader throughout the last several years, and has had to blaze the trail for the younger generation to try to keep pace with. Of course, Anna too has had stars to look up to (like Erika, especially); but for the large part, due to geography and timing, Anna has had to lead. This current wave of talent would not be anything like what it is today without Anna. Anna, like Erika, is also an amazing three event skier (running -35), and is shooting to make the US Team for the U17 Worlds in Ukraine July 2014. Next on the list for Anna after Nationals is the U21 Worlds in Winter Garden, September 12-15.

My heart goes out to all Calgarians, especially those who have sustained the personal injuries and losses, let alone the massive property damages. I am sure that Predator Bay membership is extremely bummed right now, but also hearty and proud--here's to a smooth restoration!

The 64.5" and 67.5 are more evolved (better) than the 66... I love the 67.5 Conquer, but prefer the more traditional Endo shape. My brother Doug chose the 67.5 Conquer after trying just about every option on the market.

Ski Canadian Nationals--great site and two rounds! Plus, Tim Hortons for breakfast and Earl's for dinnner...hard to beat. And as lpskier mentioned, a better chance of hopping on the plane and explaining to everybody that you are national champion!