Razorskier1

Like @Bruce_Butterfield - I tend to do better historically with shorter and deeper fins. I also do better with "C" settings than "A" settings on ZO. Think it has something to do with being a bigger guy and, perhaps, pushing on the tail of the ski too hard.

@Horton - nice skiing. Not only does the ski look good, you are coming up earlier on a consistent basis throughout that set and it looks frickin' easy! Second point -- great handle control! You have two hands on and look comfortable (ie, not like the boat is pulling it away from you) all the way out to the buoy line. Nice skiing pal!

@Horton -- this morning I just did 32s (mostly because it was cold and windy as hell!). However, even in adverse conditions I just "did less", and had my ski flat at the second wake. It was sooooo easy. So I agree, it helps to do it there, but if you shorten to 35 and can convince yourself to ski it like you just did the 32, it is magically delicious.

@6balls - first set Sunday after warm ups I skied 4 35s and a couple pokes at 38. Second set I skied a 32, then six 35s, then three 32s to finish. OK for an old guy with glioblastoma on chemotherapy, I guess! Just wanted everyone to know that time definitely helps. Now if we can just keep this damned disease from spitting out a new brain tumor!

Caldwell will definitely run 41 soon! Cale is skiing great as well! Oh, and so is Adam Cord! Hmmm.

I sooo wish I could make it!!! Between now and then I'm moving my daughter to Ft Myers area (from Iowa!), moving my youngest son back to college (after summer at home), spending two days at Mayo clinic for labs, consults, and MRI and PET scans, and attending a fund-raising event for brain cancer research. I will start another round of chemo the week before the BOS and will finish it that weekend. Also, Friday September 15, Mitch is flying up to spend the weekend and then work remotely and ski until we leave for SkiWatch the next weekend for our annual 6 round fiesta with our friends in Milton. Just can't swing it.

@Chef23 - hope your recovery continues as well!

Does Caldwell get to ski the Bu Open since he's hosting??? Or perhaps there are a hundred rules as to why that can't be? Or perhaps he'd rather not and just roll into the 34mph class?

@JeffSurdej - so these rankings determine eligibility for 2018 Nats, correct. Sorry, haven't been following this subject very closely

Is that really your finger gone?

@Than_Bogan - my lips are sealed.

Further from surgery and radiation I'm gaining strength, despite the chemo. This weekend i skied 4 sets, and did two weight workouts. 40 total passes, half of them 35 off. The fight continues. Thanks for your support.

Do it at 35 and get back to me. It works.

@FWinter - maybe you want to drive to Minneapolis, stay at our place, do a little skiing and coaching, and make back some of your cash.

@JeffSurdej - your proactive participation in these discussions is terrific.

@twhisper - whats the logic behind the thinner profile section near the fin box and then thicker again at the tail?

@Horton is unboxing so many skis lately I think he needs (me) to have a second test ski dummy.

He's always been good, but his recent performance has been crazy good. Some of that is just baseline improvement, I'm sure, but the ski seems to be working well too. Pretty exciting!

Yep. The arms are sagging, pulling one gate down and floating the other.

@Ed_Johnson - wish I could do it as well!!! Regardless of ski, I've always had a tendency to snap a hard turn, stop the ski in the water, then get the slingshot across the wake. Funny thing is that if I really work to do what the great skiers do, then I am WAY earlier to the next ball. In a 16-17 second pass, that "moment" where you stop and then need to re-accelerate is a big, big deal. Smoothing it out and keeping it moving makes all the difference in the world (doesn't feel as "aggressive" but you are way faster). Your analogy of a hockey stop is perfect, cuz that's what my turns sometimes feel like. Today I spent time at my easier lines just trying to be good at moving through the turn. Much easier, much faster, much earlier and more consistent.

@Horton - that applies to pretty much everything, not just water skiing.

Caldwell can flat out ski! I've seen it! He is right about loads though. He keeps his speed, so loads are less. Those of us that slow down at or after the turn generate way higher loads at longer lines than Caldwell. All about the speed -- with enough of that, you can lean as hard as you want!

Rodgers comsistency is remarkable over the course of that many sets in two days.

George Lindy in MN. He skis with a power vest now, but is back into 35 off again and he's in his 60s.

Ah, this is a joke. Caldwell beat me in the head to head. I'm a M5 hack. BD seems to go out of their way to make people dislike the series. Dislike!