GaryWilkinson

Not so sure about the crowd numbers being more than skiers, friends and family. I believe our sport unfortunately doesn’t draw to the public in general anymore. When E-sports gets an online audience of tens of millions, tastes have changed. I believe the best we can get is a few thousand at the venue (hopefully) and maybe 10x that on line. Saddens me to know and have to accept that. Another thought is that other than jumping and tricking somewhat, the average Jill can’t tell the difference between one slalom run and another. Would it be that hard to make a graphic showing the handle distances and some illustrations, even demonstrations like Andy did at the end of his video a few years ago explaining how really difficult short-est line slalom passes really are?! Back to my thread’s point, is that these are the f-ing WORLD championships brother! Shouldn’t we see the best at their best? The skiing audience at least, deserve better. The site obviously moves around unlike Moomba and Masters where there’s history there. Let’s pick better sites so we (and the world) can see great skiing and not leave who gets into the finals on luck.

Is it just me or are the Aussie announcers praise of the conditions at that HUGE lake in Malaysia a little overboard? I like the content about the skiing, but their statements of how great it is doesn’t translate to the skiers and their performances. Many went down early due to what I saw as a course filled with distant rollers from boats on the same body of water in the distance. (You could see them in the distant view) And moderate backwash from the concrete sea wall across the bay. Anyone else see this? It seems to me that the site is borderline acceptable for slalom, but who am I sitting here in Canada hoping for another month of good weather. Anyone else see it?

@Andre yes starting Thursday morning. See you there !

@Andre sheesh, that’s so disappointing. With the Nats so close and you’re skiing so well,... crap. Sometimes the universe is an asshole. Deep water start is probably the toughest part of your set with broken ribs. My son broke one hitting a tree last winter, still feels it. Take care, let it heal and I’d much rather see you at Nats again kicking -35’s butt. Us old-ish guys gotta stick together. Be well André.

Fellas (and gals) check out the latest Radar video of Chris Rossi doing a pass at -38 off. Magic. I must have played it 20 times over the past 36 hours. It is a study in being balanced on both feet and having the ski consistently engaged, but not overly down in almost the whole turn from edge change to first wake on the back side of the ball turn. Yes I’m sure the ski has something to do with it, but more importantly it’s his handle control and BALANCED stack position through the pass that is one to copy to get through -32 more consistently for me. Thanks Chris, you continue to amaze.

Andre ! Tape those ribs up tight and come kick my ass my friend! It would be great to see you. Skied there yesterday and it was glass water with 80° temp. Soft slow water is magic. Hoping your ribs heal quickly my friend. Anyone know any strategies for André ?

You northern swervers are missing out on a GREAT tournament. Friday night, BBQ, band and party late! Saturday night Gala dinner, yet another band, dancing and party on Garth! Inscription fees include both nights, practice session, skier bib, Canadian hospitality and a VERY friendly conversion rate to the US greenback. (after all, we are Canadians??)

Ok wait,... he did 5 1/2 with buckles undone and his foot moving around? The lengths guys go to for excuses. Sheesh.

Met him only once at a pro meet in the 80’s. The whole setup crew bowed to his knowledge and expertise. I remember Ed being so friendly and personable to everyone he met. While we wish him rest, I’m sure he’s in his happy place setting up the best courses and seeing the results.

@Horton For me the holy grail of ski/fin tuning is apex to first wake, specifically does the tip stay down through the finish of the turn and the ski keep its angle. In the previous video “Test ride #7” your turns start out the same in the your pre-ball, turn to apex look the same, but it’s after apex that in the last video posted this morning where at almost every turn your ski pops up and out a bit, and thus producing a “reset” of angle and push of the middle and front of the ski back into cross course position. It looks like the ski is not liking the angle you’ve set, going too fast or you’re too much on the back foot. All that to say whatever your settings were in the earlier video seemed to be working better than the latest ones. Makes sense? Btw, (I have no idea how to fix that situation, I only am providing an observation).

Started taping about 3 yrs ago on a trip to FL where I was going to be doing 2-3 sets a day in 90° water. I use Duct tape, one stripe across the palm with top edge about 1/8” above the bottom of the skin webbing between my fingers, then 2 stripes downward in a slight “V” from top edge of tape across palm to bottom of palm. (I recommend to not ever wrap tape completely around your palm). I used to get calluses, rip calluses, sand calluses, clip them and tear again. Since I started taping I haven’t had 1 callus tear. My hands hurt less and I haven’t missed a set due to hand problems. Key ingredient to success: I’ve found great results in applying the tape to Dry Hands. Although I often keep the original taping on for the second set, if I need to replace it, I dry my hands thoroughly to get good adhesion.

Karma. What goes around,... playing it forward,... Anyway you say it, doing the right thing will always pay dividends, especially in your own head and heart. Well done Landon and Luca,

Arms straight, knees bent. Nice form.

Have you been diagnosed with low blood sugar? How long ago? Blood sugar levels tend to be lay persons catch all for general malaise. (I’m. It a Dr but I play one at home) jk. I’ve done a lot of research in this area due to low energy and weight gain. In my very humble opinion you should see a dr about weight changes, gains and losses. I believe diets suck. They’re proven to be temporary fixes to a more complete look and adjustment of what, how much and when you eat. An endocrinologist is a must and here’s the other thing that does wonders- Regular exercise. !!! Endorphins have very positive neurological effects, we eat better and less when we exercise moderately often. 2-3 times a week. My Dr recommended to start with exercise, working out somehow before he prescribed anything or any other referrals. Have a go at it. Give yourself a good 2 weeks at It and I am confident you’ll see a big change.

So what did Buford Danger get from Santa ? Looks like an RTP. ?

We flew these kites for many years then switched to parasail. As previously mentioned, use it only on a big lake in light winds with a wide turning radius. Rollies flat kites (pictured) really really dive or drift I should say, to the inside of boat turn. To keep altitude you have to put all your weight on the outside of the kite. Otherwise it’s a pretty steep descent to the inside of the turn. Delta (free flight gliding ability) kites are much more risky and wouldn’t recommend them. Parasails are least risky and can accommodate less skilled riders.

@ESPNSkier I also feel your pain. I’ve been struggling with this for literally decades. Only this year did I figure out a few things that helped (though I’m still not all the way there, right Pierre T. ? First is that as mentioned above, a poorly positioned and executed pre-turn makes it really hard to get a good finish. Usually finishing arms further out than desired, butt back and riding the tail come from an approach to apex with a flat ski and very little outbound speed. I believe the secret to getting the ski to finish the turn and THEN hook up on the handle is to have great outbound speed, energy, momentum whatever you want to call it and have a tight line but (somewhat free of the boat). For me, it all starts at zero ball or turn in from wide through the gates to 1ball. If you’re cutting in there with delayed or late speed you’ll do like many of us, lay off the pull and edge and ski flat while coming to 1 ball and try and hook, or drive your hips, knees and all your junk in the trunk around as best you can to try and salvage a bad turn into a decent stacked position. VERY tough to do. I know, been doing it for ummm,.. 4 decades. Then? Voila, coaching from my ski buddy Theriault saying don’t rush, wait. Has helped tremendously. That and a couple of drills to make the pre-turn better. Ideally, you are in a stacked, elbows in, handle VERY low hips up and cutting through the gate area and into 2nd wake. This gives you good speed and angle. Keep the handle in while changing edges to begin the turn at 1 ball, then at last second extend arm and drive hips and knees through. Then look for the handle and your extended left hand, grab on with right and go. I also used a great free skiing drill that one of the Adams talked about in here and has produced a video describing it and that’s the whip drill. Do all the above except really make sure you cut through the second set of wakes, but instead of changing edges, glide out high , no, higher than that! Release the outside hand with your hips up and extended arm, then, at the moment the boat starts to pull away turn in with hips and knees first and then grab the handle with outside hand as late as possible. You’ll find it much easier to initiate a great pre-turn and finish with a stacked position. And also, get away from 15 off, too long a line to get any rhythm or sideways pendulum effect and momentum, do this drill at -22 even 28off and slow the boat so you can do it comfortably at first. Cut, glide outbound on inside edge,see boat pull away, turn with lower body first, grab handle, hold on essentially freeze in that position for about a second and a half and repeat. See? Simple eh?!

No surprise @brooks is the first response. Service extraordinaire!

I had the same thing a few years ago, scary when you feel like you can’t breathe. Believe it or not, it was from a bed I was sleeping on, actually it was a futon, and it was somehow screwing up my back and diaphragm. As soon as I switched to a regular bed it went away and has never come back. I honestly couldn’t give you a medical or physical explanation but I know it cured it by getting to a good bed. Maybe this can help.

@Than_Bogan I used to use Kevlar liners and then 3 years ago switched to duct tape while in FL for a week. I found the tape does a great job of preventing torn out calluses and feels like a very thin second skin. As opposed to the inner Kevlar liner which protects but slips and bunches up, in my case anyway. I also went to a bent handle which saves my elbows from medial epicondylitis and gets me a better chance of getting the handle low and close. Good luck in your quest but try the tape a few times. I think you’ll enjoy the protection and grip.

I’ve voted B2 because that’s ehay I’ve heard is most popular, But can someone tell me what’s the closest to PP Stargazer?

Nate for slalom present day. Andy is still the GOAT with Nate in the GOAT convo if he keeps it up And remember when?,... was it Wayne Grimditch competed in the Superstars made for TV event?

Mind blown @AdamCord Did 2 sets yesterday and HUGE difference. Zero ball turn in, cut through the wakes, kept elbows in, tight control of handle, rode up high on the boat while watching for its pull away,... ok now reach, and initiate turn from the feet, knees and then hips, (thanks Matt Rini) stack and go! 2 sets, about 18 passes of 10 turns = zero slack hits! Fantastic. Reminds me of the drone footage we see lately showing sharp through the gates, glide up on the boat on inside edge then when speeds match up, reach, turn and Go!

Ok @AdamCord and all else who are bored ,... Here’s some video shot this morning First is whip drill: 34 mph 32 off Then the attempts at turning while going wide, high and fast: Then I dialed down the speed to 30 mph and skied at 35 off: So yes I could and should go higher on the boat. When I do my second set in the day I go very high, tip of the ski at the motor box kinda high. I have to stop dropping my shoulder, got the get hips higher etc but I’m really interested in finding the key in jumping to 35 without scrambling.

Any keys how to fix that Shane ?