LeonL

Most versions of PP will surge during a turn after a disengagement following a pass.

Allow me to correct some semi inaccuracies stated above. A skier's ranking is based on a running 12 month period, so the "2012 season" scores starting after Nationals is incorrect. The ranking is based on your best 3 scores (from 3 different tournaments). If you have only 1 score you face a 10% penalty, if only 2 scores, a 5% penalty. (I'm only referring to class C, if the tournaments are E,L,R it's different) Levels, as referred to, for example Level 9 is "elite or open" level 8 is nationals qualified, level 7 is regional qualified (for most regions) and has no bearing on local tournaments. Go to www.usawaterski.org, then click on "3 event" then click "Ranking Lists". Select "water skiing AWSA". Select your division (M3) and either look a "All" for national ranking or pick a region or state. Then click "display rankings". Also click on FAQ/Tips for more info. As relates to the rules, if you have specific questions, post 'em. I or someone else can help clarify them for you.

As far as competition, my ski partner and I were talking the other day and a post by someone came up. Someone posed the question as to why some skiers flip-flop between MM and their respective age divisions. I would suggest that if a skier skis in and qualifies for the Big Dawg finals, he would have to ski MM instead of age division. Or perhaps if your AWSA 12 month rolling average is, say 104, you would have to ski MM. Just a suggestion that may be a competition improvement. However I'm prepared to get stoned for this though.

Same conditions for everyone? Just heard from a M3 competitor that the winner skied just after a stop to refuel the boat. Can anyone confirm that? If so then not necessarily same conditions.

Kelvin, I agree if 2 judges on each side (total 5) boat video is not needed, if I interpret rule 14.11 properly. Joe, also my interpretation of 14.11 in regard to boat video judge (review judge) would mean that the video judge, in disagreeing with the event judges, would have to disagree with the majority and call for a review by he and the CJ. If he agreed with the majority there would be no need for a review. Just my insight into that rule. May be wrong - may be right.

I'll take this one, but (JD) add anything that I mess up. Judging is never done from the boat camera. That is only used if the person monitoring the boat feed disagrees with the 3 judges. Then the/she and the CJ can review and override if necessary.

The one most important thing to think about, before anything else is your pullout and gate. Sometimes you're thinking so hard about working on "3 ball turn" or "countering at 4" you neglect the gate. It's got to be good or everything becomes a chase.

Obviously the conditions were bad, by the scores. What did the "previous evening of hard rain" bring about. High water and backwash? High wind?

Describe the unrecognized screen. Quite often my ZO displays "No GPS" for awhile at initial startup. Just have to wait a bit.

A little too much money IMHO

One would think that with today's technology molds could be made that are exact duplicates. Having said that, it does seem that each mfg has multiple molds and it seems that all are not created equal.

All the mentioned year models will ski great, if you don't have a real desire for ZO. IMHO the '02 may be the best overall 196 made. I had an '02 and currently my ski partner has an '02, they both ski and drive great.

OB, I think that the boat that you skied behind was the same that I skied behind. I think that boat is owned by Lou Alcamo, and it did ski nice.

Roger, is the boat with the soft wakes Lou's? I'm pretty sure that I skied behind Lou's boat at Regionals and the wake/rooster was fine. Really soft.

If it was called 2 by all three judges in order for the video to come into play, the judge monitoring the video had to disagree and then he and the CJ would have to review and make the call. Bad rule -- 2 allowed to overrule 3.

All due respect to all involved, but you guys take a look at awsasouth.org. On the home page click on "full story" and then look at the picture and post your score on that one. (approaching 3 ball)

I skied behind a MC at regionals and it was fine. However the chief driver picked which MC to use for slalom. One on site had a reputation as having a horrible rooster tail/wake. I had an opportunity to get a practice set with the "bad" MC and it was pretty hard at 22, but 28 and beyond was OK. I don't know it the hull is different due to inconsistent molds, or the wake is due to the fact that the "bad" one has the Ilmore engine and may be propped differently.

Well, It's been my observation that all things considered closer together is a contributor to more consistent balance. Greater spread and a slight movement either way has more impact. (leverage effect) Having said that, if someone needs to tighten up their onside turn, moving the rear binding back will help that.

Chad's comment that Chris didn't understand the rule brings up two points. First it appears that it wasn't properly explained to him by the boat judge (no offense to the judge). The rule states that after a 10 minute delay the skier has the option of taking an unscored pass in the opposite direction of the reride with a protected score, or he may start over, unprotected. Starting over means that the skier may start at any speed/line length. So it's obvious the rule wasn't explained to him based on the stated comment from CP. Second point is the USAWS "fast track" program to senior judge which allows Open rated skiers to test up to Senior judge without any quantitative requirements. Obviously a test cannot touch on every rule and it would be easy for an Open skier be a senior judge without proper knowledge of all rules, witness CP's knowledge of said rule (again no offense to CP personally, just an expample)

Not exactly following the thread, but nearly. In the past I've heard that some people believe that at the present time 41 at 34 MPH is impossible, while 41 at 36 has been run many times. What is the consensus here? Can 41 at 34 be run?

The key is the material. Can't verbally describe it, but if you feel the material is must be soft. Go in a store and feel several brands/styles and you'll feel the difference. Soft material won't parachute, stiffer? will.

There aren't any "automatic" assistant judge ratings. If you're an "8" there is only the requirement that you submit a form, but you must do that. There is a fast track to Senior judge for open and MM rated skiers that requires a clinic plus written and practical test.

Yea, I was boat judge for Nate's 1@43 Sat. 39 was really smooth, 41 got a little iffy and a little late. Carried a lot of speed into buoys, but had a lot of confidence in his ski and it just kept turning.

In most states/jurisdictions you get cited by law enforcement for riding on gunnels. So, if you're doing something that is against the law should that not place the responsibility back on the injured party? There is no logic to jury decisions some times.

Just give Google Chrome a try. Quick, easy download, setup. If you want to use IE or Chrome, no problem. Just click which ever one you want to use at any given connection time. BTW, I still have XP, and it came after 95, and before (ugh) Vista. I'm now retired, but I also was a programmer and PCs are nothing like a mainframe. People used to ask me for help with a PC or internet problem and couldn't believe that I was clueless.