MAD11

@horton @zman, Trying not to comment and it doesn't appear @TFIN is coming in to help me here either. As a witness he thought it was funny when she beat me too. When it rains it pours man. Just a point. Both of you should remember that paybacks are a Bit%&$ too. My slump won't last that long.

@teammalibu. Sorry to tell you I think she is beating you too. I'm just hoping its because I haven't been skiing and in a bit of a winter slump. She says this is the new standard!

Beautiful Girl. Just wait until she runs more buoys and beats you in practice one day. That happened to me last week. Was really proud but also a little pissed.

Original Vicehttp://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv313/marcaustin11/Vicephoto.jpg

@mattp I wasn't being critical of the site and I'm sure having a liquor store close will have benefits for all. Not sure it's going to put a few thousand people on the shore to watch, which is what is needed. I was just trying to encourage thinking out of the box to get exposure for potential sponsors. Somehow the promoter of the Shanghai event did. @OB glad to toss it around with you anytime on the phone. I have run several big tournaments at our site and it is hard to get sponsors on board and spectators to attend.

Maybe have to go different routes to get it started again. I was shocked to see a 20 min deal on South African Airways about 3 months ago about the Shanghai event a few years ago. Got to see Zach up on the podium. Exposure and spectators are what is needed not a few dollars of donation for prize money. Big events at private sites has help the scores but hurt the sport. More venues like the site for Malibu Open and Moomba are needed so these guys get exposure. Maybe have to start thinking out of the box. Fairly disappointing to complete at the Talking Rock, GA pro tourny a few years ago, which was a great event with a lot of effort put into it, and hardly anyone on the shores to see it except for other competitors. This is more typical in the last few years though. How about selling Delta on showing a 8- 10 min highlight recap of the event on all their flights for a month between boring sitcoms your forced to watch or some nature special. That's a lot of people in a captive environment.

Must not of brought enough beer if JD actually made you take the test.

@OB whats wrong with a 15 knot tail wind? We skied OK when you were here in that stuff once or twice.

Please donate! I have had to see that thing on his face scare women and children for the last three weeks. Help make it worth the effort for a great cause.

Winter skiing? This year not sure what that us do far. 80 today and T$ and I just skied in boardies, a neo tank top and vest. Was colder last week and had to move my fin only to put it back to warmer water setup this week.

@bracemaker I have never had one fail, but the 97 Mastercraft is my only experience in a ski boat. I also like the fact that we skied in really cold water when I lived in PA during the fall and spring and the heads and block were not exposed to the really cold water, which occasionally caused a cracked head in the old days. Haven't heard too much about that anymore. My other experience with heat exchangers were in 41"Apache with with a pair of 850's and aluminum heads. We used them to keep the saltwater out of the expensive blocks and heads. Never a problem there either and they took some hard abuse. @shaneh The 6.0 Indmar in Jimbo's Mastercraft jump boat I'm skiing behind until my new Malibu gets here doesn't feel like it's low on power. Plus the loud exhaust makes you feel like your at the racetrack. Although, I think Jimmy went about 20' further in practice after I cleaned the K&N air filter a few weeks ago for the first time. I told him I do it every season on mine, so once for a 2008 was kinda necessary. Thing looked like a furry stuffed animal when I started. She wasn't breathing too good.

Usually if you run aluminum heads or block you would want a closed cooling system. I had a 97 Mastercrafft with the Vette motor that was set up with it.

Focused on doing this today. Seemed to keep me moving out and over my ski better. Ski came back under me quicker and I was in a better position to load, but didn't need to load really early. Could just ride the line. Had less tendency to fall inward or back. Was much more beneficial on my off side than heel side. This was a fairly easy thing to focus on and wasn't a big change. Ran 6 easy 35's back to back just working on this and still trying to get accustomed to my grip switch, which I changed a little over 2 weeks ago, but not that many sets yet.

@ab not sure that is correct. Most drivers will tell you Nate is the lightest on the line of all pro skiers. Sometimes you can't even feel if he turned.

Actually, just realized I am not capable of even trying this. I have no stars and could get hurt just attempting it. Thanks @horton for busting my bubble. Also, you swearing to Buda in the other post makes me take this personally since that is the town we live in. @shaneh will never let me live this down.

I'm going out and ski like that today! Also, gonna drop 30 more pounds and grow 5 inches. let you know how it goes.

All 4 sets I have done it so far. Just running back to backs at 32off with if so far. Feel like 35 would be easy, but just trying to get accustomed to it and build some strength in the new position.

@skijay Just be patient and take your time to build your strength back up. I just switched my grip after 20 years of it being backwards. Feeling like I need to do the same thing. Also, feeling awkward. Good luck.

@Disland Jeff said he was quitting the other events to focus on slalom only now. Funniest thing ever when we shortened to 38 and he said I have never tried this loop ever, not even in practice. Was awesome. Congrats buddy, don't forget to be good to your driver.

@usaski1 can make them.

Ok so far Jeff Lindsey with a PB of 1@38. First time through 35off ever. Tina Lindsey 2@32, Bailey Austin 1@38. Mike Hamilton 5@38 and my lame self with 4.5 @38. Lots of glare. Can't see 1,3,5 very well but were having fun. Shane with a 4.5 @ 32 battling the glare.

If there is time we will tweet scores from the "Free T$ Invitational" tonight. This is a celebration event giving thanks our boy made it back into the country to get married this weekend. T$ will not be skiing in the event, but be on-site as Grand Marshall. Shane driving all the way from Houston for this one so if there are any bad crashes we will be sure to get the news posted. Some unbelievably ordinary scores are bound to be posted by us all who are out of shape and have already quit for the season.

@bigtex2011 make u a deal. Will sell you the QX56 with 2012 TXI all in one. Heck, I think they even match. The Malibu still priced somewhat reasonable so you can have both. 2012 TXI for $42,500. (sorry for the shameless plug) Cost should equal value. So far no complaints with the value on my new Goode, but I never complained about the Warp cost either. Actually it turned out to be the cheapest ski I ever bought. Four seasons and felt like new. Sold it after all that for more than any ski mentioned above except for one. Only reason it is gone because I didn't think it could be replaced so I figured I better get off it. At least that's what Goodson convinced me of in the subliminal messages he was sending to get me to sell it to him. @jdarwin @ob The 3k to be a member at a site and use a boat is certainly reasonable. The only people who would complain about that are ones who haven't bought a boat before or paid HOA fees to live in a ski community. I guess it's just a perspective issue. I think we paid $1500 each (no family plans) in eastern PA over 10 years ago to ski on the only private lake around and had to have your own boat. We were just happy to get in there. Sure beat salt water and timing the tides on the busch river in MD like when I was growing up.

@stevie boy Yes I am. Going to ski in cold water this week in SA so will see how they work. I have been skiing in 90+ in TX mainly, but not skiing much. Enough sets to get sore every time I'm home. I would think I will need to go back some, but won't know til after the first ride.

@usaski1 Sounds good. That helmet of yours made my neck sore for 2 days so the chest mount seems better. Was fun tough. Make me up a "Free T$" in a color that will look good on my new green ski when you get time. Gotta support the cause.