Dirt

I see three things that might help: 1. Stay a little farther back on the ski 2. Get your chest up a little 3. Vision a bit higher

Please help. Any suggestions are appreciated. I feel like maybe too far forward. Thoughts?

I watched the Amateurs this morning. It looks like a great event. The webcast quality was excellent. I was able to watch it on a 55 inch without distortion. The skiers names and rope lengths in meters and feet off were on the screen before each pass. It looked like a Malibu and 19 Nautique. It was interesting to check out the on deck skiers setup between passes. Goode seemed to be the most popular. There were some Monte Carlos, Radar and at least one D3. I hope they continue this for the pro division. I like to see what they are using. @Luzz Thank you for all the hard work on this event.

@Mrs_MS please post a picture of the handle. I request that you do not let MS in the picture.

I don't want more rules. I think it is good to talk about it. The dentist with the long rope and shrinking slalom course is why people question everything.

As a precaution I am confiscating Hortons passport and advising him he is no longer welcome in the EU or New Jersey.

I don't have a dog in this fight. Correct me if I am wrong but I don't think anyone has questioned the integrity of the Botas Family or anyone in particular. It sounded like they were saying someone may have made an error. Do a bunch of PBs deserve scrutiny? Were skiers saying it felt too easy? Will this cluster of 41s repeat? Maybe the new Nautique is that good. Maybe no dip/trough makes a huge difference at 41 and 43. Time will tell. Did the scores get better as the drivers got more practice and skiers got more comfortable with the drivers, boats and site? Did conditions get better or worse after the cluster of 41s? How many and what percentage of skiers exceeded their average? The topic and controversy is interesting. Is this any different than sports casters talking about cork bats, doping, underinflated footballs, controversial calls by umpires, tennis nets too tight or too loose, etc? Libelous? I think more people will want to ski there behind Ricardo in a Nautique chasing a PB.

Congratulations Greg!

Great skiing! I personally believe he can and did run it. Chopper is a great skier and a great guy. I don't think there would be as many doubters if he only ran it once. That is where the skepticism comes in. For those who are saying that weaving, a narrow course, long course, long handle, long rope, etc... don't matter, I disagree. A few inches can make a huge difference at 41 and 43. I wouldn't worry about the skeptics or take it personally. He will do it again and erase all doubt.

@Devil's advocate Is the virtual time really what it says it is? I beep prior to the entrance gates and again before the exit gates. Do you really know? Did the magnets lie? Hand timing? Who does that?

OK I'll bite again. @JAS I think it should be. I probably would not switch back to PP but I believe having to have the current year boat with the current engine and speed control to be competitive turns a lot of people away from the sport. New hull, 5.3L, 5.7L, 6.0L, 6.2L, dual puck, single puck, diffusers, hydrogates, etc... The reasons Horton posted are the bureaucracy of the sport. Those reasons could be changed with the a few rules changes. A good question is whether anything would change if you made the rule read, "Any previously approved towboat with a previously approved speed control is approved." Would there be more tournaments? Happier skiers? Huge membership spike? Would changing the rule make more people unhappy?

It is a little confusing because the announcement on USAWS says Rev S available July 2nd. @scotchipman I did like it better but it may be honeymoon syndrome. I tried C2 +

I tried the experimental plus version for 2 1/2 rides. For background, I like the feel of C2 on most boats. I weigh 190 lbs. My comments about allowing older boats and perfect pass are because I believe that has turned more skiers away from the sport than anything else. My first impression is that it feels like a less radical version of trick mode. I felt like I could load harder off of the buoy without getting stood up or sent directly at the next buoy off the second wake. I had more space and it felt slower. I don't think lighter skiers will feel much difference, although the driver accidentally pulled a 160 lb skier with it and he said he felt it. Can anyone confirm we can use this starting July 2nd? Has anyone else tried it? If so, please share your experience.

@MickeyThompson I looked up some numbers from a few years ago and it looks like stock was 6.834 tips 2.50 .780 8* On a stiff ski, I have moved DFT all the way back to .725 so don't be afraid to change settings until it feels right. I have also found that my on side turn changes with water temp and I have to move the front binding to keep both sides symmetrical.

Correct me if I am wrong. It is pretty easy to make adjustments to engine response and ZO response. Someone who knows what they are doing (Will Bush) can hook a cable up and tweek it.

I heard a couple reports that the boat felt spongy. It may need some tweaks or skiers will get used to it. Like Jones said, many of those guys have not missed 38 in perfect glass conditions in years.

I had a T2 that worked really well at 2.497 .88 6.832 8*

These should be ballpark 2.50 .765 6.825 7* 29.25

I am not complaining about this. I am happy and thankful to all who made it happen. I know all the history. Can you use a wooden boat in a tournament in Italy? I am merely asking why you can't use an old boat with PP. Why are people getting mad? It's a discussion.

Maybe all of the above comments are a good reason not to let anyone have a monopoly on speed control. Why not let people run perfect pass if the times are good?

Nice. How much does it cost and how do we get it? Can it be used in tournaments and if so what about older boats?

20 years ago? What about whoever you coached 20 minutes ago?

+1 for completely drain and flush the fuel system. Ethanol gums everything up.

@eleeski I see how it is. You are neglecting your slalom and declaring yourself a trick specialist. Feel free to trick in slalom or jump mode whenever you want. I don't know why anyone would listen to me anyway. I took over for Muhlitner as the worst skier in the world. My average is less than 4 buoys.

To be clear, I am not bashing USAWS and I don't really care that much about this issue. C2 works great for me. I love this sport and the people in it. I respect the leadership and thank them for their unpaid tireless dedication. I am just pointing out that it can be done if the right people decide to do it. They could make changes to the procedure and pay for it if need be.