santangelo

Greatest Role Model of All Time... http://www.nautique.com/team/ski-andy-mapple/ IF YOU COULD GIVE SOMEONE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE; WHAT WOULD IT BE? Enjoy and live for today. Don't let tomorrow spoil today! ~AM

Sorry @mattP. That really sux as a first experience. There have been many similar stories we've heard over the years and are much worse. I'm glad their impatience didn't cause you to miss your opener. As you mentioned, they are likely all 3 event drivers (2 event drivers are also allowed) and possibly very good at driving at least 1 of those events, but they tend to drive all they can get assigned by the CD. Regarding Eller, Lathrop, and Scott... they could drive Nat's if the assigned Driver and CD agreed to do so, but I have yet to see it happen. Unfortunately we have a lot of ego's in the sport and they don't always think about what's best for the skier.

Mike Morgan skied. He did not miss his gates. Most scores in the web app are correct, but not all. Conditions were ideal. Very light breeze if any and we had a good size crowd watching. Thanks to all that volunteered their time to help the SCPB host the event. We really appreciate all the effort from fellow skiers. We can't do this with you!

Bindings make a huge difference, but mostly in regard to changing them. Much easier to change ski's than changing bindings, so just keep in mind you'll need to take multiple sets before you get comfortable on the new bindings and back to your normal skiing/scores. It's a major investment in time to try new bindings, so patience is necessary. I personally ride a front hardshell and rear kick in. Front binding clamp system broke and I replaced it with a slightly different system, but same boot. Couldn't make my opening pass and verified it was set up with about 1/16" of my previous system. As far as performance, I don't think you can draw any conclusions on what system is better. Generally, the firmer the boot the more responsive the ski...which isn't necessarily a good thing.

Thanks @Spuddy. Is there a 'no smiling' policy for PanAm pics???

@MattP and @LeonL I believe the multiple lakes rule is for the Worlds ranking list and not specific to the AWSA Elite rankings.

Record tournament not required either. Elite status for any Open or Masters rating can be obtained at Class C or above tournaments per rules as @MattP described above.

Sorry @kc, there will be no additional tournaments at Okee during or immediately following Nats.

@aupatking, I'm the West Palm Beach promo guy for Carbon Pro's. Have a 6.0L that is for sale if interested. Welcome to ski it anytime. Kris LaPoint runs Carbon Pro's in Orlando: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lapoint-Ski-Park/385367114895768

I would recommend sticking near stock numbers...these were revised in early June: http://www.d3skis.com/v/sitefiles/Tech%20Support%20Ski%20Literature%20Rev%20G_6.15.pdf Depending on how you ski, the only exception I would suggest is consider moving 1/4" back from stock for bindings ( assuming your skiing 34 mph) after you give stock settings a try.

Thanks Patrick. Learned a lot this weekend. And thanks to you for helping with the tournaments.

@richarddoane - At bottom of the page on tab called 'skiers prelim scores': http://nautiquebigdawg.com/2015-west-palm-beach-florida/

Yes, ski course is still there at Little Bull Run. Also one at the 'fabulous Cooper girls' place as I like to call it, up Gills creek (can't miss it), but it's not as protected. I believe there is a private site or two in Greensboro, but it's been a few years since I've heard much about it.

Running order has been re-posted.

Running order is being updated and should be re-posted this evening.

See link at bottom of this page to download PDF: http://www.okeeski.com/event/big-dawg-qualifier/ We should have Live Scoring enabled, so you can view scores real time at http://m.okeeski.com/

One week away. For information on practice time, banquet location and more: http://www.okeeski.com/2015-big-dawg-qualifier-2/

Agree with @klindy . I'd like to see the model changed to allow more skilled single event drivers/judges from those on site. Since hotel bills are one of the largest drivers of cost, it would help the host club considerably. These are specialists just like the athletes they are judging and driving. Similar to when you purchase consumer goods, you're looking for the highest performance for your money...the same concept applies. One possible model: There would be a Chief Driver and Assistant Chief Driver responsible for the Nationals. These would be the only 2 appointed drivers. The ACD would work with each regions EVP/boat committee chairperson to assemble a list of the best event specific drivers (4 drivers each event maybe???) in the region and their schedule for being at Nationals. That would give you a pool of 20 event specific drivers for the event. The CD/ACD would plan the tournament based on the schedules in advance, allocating for some redundancy to cover for unexpected issues. Tweak as needed. The best event specific officials we have want to help, are typically at Nationals for the full tournament, and offer the most consistent judging/driving/scoring that are available simply because they practice their skill on a regular basis and take pride in what they do.

Agreed on shavings in the gas tank causing similar symptoms. Had an 88 MC Prostar that had the plastic shavings from drilling the fittings in the plastic gas tank that cause hesitation issues.

I didn't have to adjust my 2015 CP, but on my 2014, Will Bush had me grind the top trailing edge only. About 1.5" in, and 3" down. Performed very well.

Fairly certain the AWSA rulebook is not limiting Class C tournaments being set up as indicated in some of the posts above regarding ability based divisions. Granted, these would not be 'official' divisions and scores would go into your age division, but an event organizer can set the running order and 'groupings' based on ability vs rankings list seeding. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. Additionally, I believe alternate formats can be pursued with approval from EVP.

@Horton, some photos to help decide. The lighter colored boat was a 5.7L 2014, the darker one is the 6.0L 2015. Hard for me to pick which one I like better, but the 'clean' white look was well received at Okee.

@oldmanskier, I live 1 mile from Okeeheelee and will be there all weekend. As you may know, we are running 2 other slalom tournaments at the same time as the Big Dawg. One 2R record Saturday and another 2R record on Sunday. Because the BD is sponsored by CC, there will be no other manufacturers boats on site all weekend. I'll be at the lake Friday before with the boat if you'd like to ski/drive it then. Anytime after the weekend is fine as well and you're welcome to ski/drive it as much as your oldmanskier body can handle :) Chet is familiar with the boat as well and you can ask him about it. Let's keep in touch. Thanks, Paul

I believe the offset shaft went away with the 2012 boats, but not sure. I've had a 2013,14 and 15 Carbon Pro over the last few years in South Florida on the promo program. Every year the boat has been better, especially in regards to driving. You can ask the other Senior Drivers at Okeeheelee and I'm confident they will say the same. My current boat is a 6L and is very responsive to driver input....most people tend to over steer it on the first few passes but settle in realizing you don't need to turn the wheel much to counter the skier. The boat is very well set-up and came from the factory this way...didn't have to work the rudder. As far as skiing goes, my boat typically gets assigned to the longer line and slower speed skiers in tournaments because of the wake characteristics. It's very good at all line lengths, but it does differentiate itself the farther you go back and the slower it goes. Oddly enough, when I skied my 2015 boat for the first time, I noticed that the wakes were slightly softer than previous years. My ski partner who skis at 28-34 mph at 22 off noticed the same thing as well as a few other skiers. Granted, it's a 6L, where as I've always had 5.7L boats, but the weight difference is negligible. Both engines are propped the same. I talked to Paul Crawford about it and he said they moved the motor slightly and that accounted for the softer wakes. I told him over the past few years, everyone tells me the wakes are the best around...why would you risk changing them, and he said, 'We knew we could make them better'. And that says a lot about their commitment to the boat. There's more refinements to come with the Carbon Pro and it's clear that Centurion is out to make the best boat possible. Highly recommend you find a promo boat as they are likely tuned better than most: http://www.centurionboats.com/promo-driver-directory.html. And if you're ever in South Florida...

They are likely using various divisions such as IW, OW, W3, etc to accommodate boat preferences by the skiers since you can't have different boats in the same division.