bhs

Here is another perspective. In 85 as a sophomore in high school I saved my pennies and bought an Italian bicycle, Rossin, with Campagnolo Nuovo record parts used for $500. Couldnt afford new for $1,200. Was in a shop the other day and carbon Specialized was close to $10,000! That's more then some motorcycles. I haven't been to a race in years so I don't know what the junior field looks like but I don't know how a kid today gets into a good bike. Not to mention if you are in a crash and break the frame! That is a lot of money for a bike!

In 92 I worked at Sport Chalet and "pro formed" a Kidder Redline, bag, jacket and gloves for $200. I can't remember how much the ski was retail. I think Goode asks a lot because he can! They seem to work for a lot of people. I recently saw a picture of the podium from 1999(?) nationals with Chuck forest AND EVERY other guy holding a Goode. If they stop performing people will stop paying.

Not sure about the 9800sl but I had an Elite and I did not think it was very forgiving. Good luck finding the right ski!

@Horton, did you gain any weight before the first round on Saturday?

@Horton, yeah I think I would have gone from 9deg to 8.75 on the wing when the water temp dropped below 87deg! So Tuesday, new ski day, is right around the corner and it's time for you to jump on a new ski. You can send me the N1 for further testing.... You have my address. Thanks John!

@Horton.... Man I find this kinda funny. Some much of the talk on thIs website is, "move the binding back 1/8" "for a better heal side move the binding 1/6" "Try moving the DFT .009" "Try moving the depth from 2.456 to 2.467" Not Horton, cold water, wing at 9, warm water, wing at... Chuck wing!

@bishop8950 based on your ability to break into the top 16, I think Paul should send you some skis!

Just looked at the top 16 and I think we could add Seth and Harrold to the list. So that's 11 of the 16 who have a strong relationship with a ski company. It should increase based on the popularity of the series.

@bishop8590 let me say I really like the BD! It was great to watch the webcast and I only hope for more. Should have been clear, yeah I know everyone has a job but I think the list of skiers getting demo/proto or free skis is pretty big and the only thing you can say about their skis is, they are made by the brand printed on the sk. Who knows if it is a current year S2 or N1? Todd R, Chet, Badal, KP, Andy M, C Scott, M Brown, Ben F and Dave Miller all seem to have some relationship with a ski company. I only bring it up as its been said before, it's hard to make a statement about what they may be skiing on because something is always in development.

It's funny, when this whole BIg Dawg thing got started I felt like all the skiers were "us". You know, older dudes with jobs skiing 34mph and paying for their own stuff. I don't think it's that way any more and I don't have a problem with it. So I think the only thing you can say for certain about Todd's ski is that he is on a Goode. Same applies to the rest of the top 16 skiers as well.

@jackski.... So ther is still .01 percent chance she was on something else....

Andy Mapple won the French BD. Not sure where your getting your info on graphics, wins or broken skis but your missinformed. The video Dave Goode made after the Canadian BD shows Todd and the same or simillar white top Nano. There were a lot of prototypes going around some the black top D Miller, Regina and some white, C Scott and Todd.

Random question... Just wondering.

@usaski1 you bring up an interesting point. I have a company car and for years they require me to change my oil every 5,000 miles. Just picked up the new car and they have bumped it back to 8,000. Not sure where the 3,000 mile or 50 hr standard came from. I stopped changing my oil every 50hrs after I switched to synthetic and high mileage filter. The first time I used that combo and changed at 50 and the oil came out as clean as it went in.

@Zman not sure what Horton will tell you if he responds but he now uses the Radar Strada binding and has said many times that it is the best binding for him.

@LeonL I was curious, I wasn't sure if you were standing at 1 ball could you still see 6. Thanks for your feedback. What I wanted to see was more battles at 41, which we never saw. I would think based on the prelims all those skiers were capable. Harold missed his gates. Chad, Chet and Andy, all more then capable of running 39( how many times did Chad run it in TX) but missed 39 in the finals... All because of running at night? I really don't want to sound like sour grapes, loved watching the finals on webcast and sharing the experience with some non skiing friends. I would watch if it were run at night, morning or during the day! Thank you to BD, Correct Craft and all who made it happen! One last thought, Andy, please ski in more Big Dawgs, I'm sure the competitors loved it and as a spectator it was great to watch you ski again!

The balls look cool and Todd R skied real well, thought he might run 41, but it's hard to see video of the skiers. Also it seemed like the scores were higher during the prelim run during the day. Do the skiers like it? The spectators? If Todd ran 41 would it count has a record run at night?

@zman actually they have GREAT customer service. Recently needed to replace the foam backing on the back of my carbon plate. They sent it to me no charge. Always willing to answer questions and have good selection.

@Zman another option is to call H20 osmosis. They sell Reflex and Seth Stisher was on an Rtype at one time. Good customer service and they can help you.

Chet set the M5 record recently on the MC. Anyone acctualy see him on the Goode at the BD? In Dave Goodes video after the BD in Canada I thought he interviewed Dave Miller and he said he was on the N1 before that I thought he was on a traditional Goode 9960.

I Have the r style as well and really like it. What I like best is the reflex front boot. It's comfortable, feet never cramp and I have had a number of OTFs where I thought this is going to hurt and then I hear a loud click and I find my self in the water looking for my ski pain free. So far no injuries and I'm on my third or fourth year. A number of people have been hurt with the reflex boot on this board, Horton is one of them.... I think he might have been a dealer at one time... Could be wrong on that. Here is what I don't like. I got mine used. I think it was one of the first attempts at the R style and it uses three bolts drilled into the reflex carbon plate. The guy I got it from had the back boot 1.5" from the front and severely rotated. Every time I want to adjust I have to drill new holes. I'm not that kinda guy. I would rather buy something already drilled. But cuz I like the system so much I'm forced to drill and tinker. Really, I can't imagine using anything else other then maybe the Radar Strada boots. Hope that helps

@than you are speaking another language my friend! Is Babylon 5 a Star Trek off shoot or something?

@Than my post was tongue and cheek in regards to the ski. The recent discussion on the board regarding what the open men ski and what we ski was my motivation. Im sure the skis are similar in shape, but flex? Horton said Nick likes to grind and what version of 33 is Parrish is on? At a recent tournament it was "rumored" that Nick was on a different ski then the N1. Also Ed said he had never seen Parrish ski better, I'm sure he looks good but I heard this when he skied the Elite, Goode and now AM. Bottom line, all these guys are awesome and could win on any given day and on different skis... Hope we get some video!

I'm guilty of doing this. It happens when I have sold my stuff and forgotten to remove it from SIA. Receiving an email asking to buy my ski, or what ever, a couple months after it sold is the reminder to remove it off of SIA sometimes. If you don't hear back I would assume it sold and move on.

http://www.usawaterski.org/Nationals/12S999CS.HTM#SlalomResultsG1