markn

Not knowing what is "cheap", but more importantly, what is your weight and what is the length of the ski?. It may very well be an awesome deal price wise, but if it is the wrong size, the allure of price will be overshadowed by the frustration of a ski that does not fit you. Yes, an omega is an awesome, high end ski. I skied 2 different years and loved them. It is more ski than you need or can take advantage of, but if it is the right size, you can grow into it.

@RobHazelwoodyour blog is fantastic. It offers insight, humor and personal perspective regarding the events. Not only are you a great diplomate for the sport, but for Syndicate as well. Maybe I am bias because I am riding the 01. Team Syndicate is kicking booty!

@Hortonagain, maybe it is just me and my technique (or lack thereof), but I felt the same magnitude of difference going from A2 to C2 on my 196, the 6.0 200 and the 6.2 Ski Nautique. Obviously in better ski shape a long way into the season and skiing stronger. Totally agree with you the difference is far less noticeable if you start with a given setting different than your usual as opposed to changing settings mid set. That is where, at least to me, there is a very noticeable difference. For reference, in training for a tournament, not knowing what boat was provided, for a week, I had my driver just pick a random letter ( and + or not). All very similar results. But the other day after skiing C2 to whole set, went back to A2 and hated it because I felt a huge difference.

Just my experience, but I submit there is a very palpable difference between A and C (Rev S) on my old 196.

Recently switched back to C2 from A2 on my ZO 196 and the 200 and Ski Nautique at Swiss. Works much better for me in keeping a tight line and load at the finish of the turn.

Gordon West drove Chris Parrish (at Isles of Lake Hancock) for his world record.

@SlalomSteven As a former hoosier now living in Florida, I know how frustrating the Indiana winters can be. You could check out Swiss Ski School in Clermont. They have a one room efficiency for rent steps from the starting dock. As I live about 10 minutes from Swiss, if you come, I will give you a pull on my lake.

@lpskierBest wishes for a full and rapid recovery.

Would agree with @Horton about bottom texture being minor. Having gone from an Omega with the speed skin to the Works 01, EVERYTHING about the Works 01 is an improvement over the Omega...and the Omega was pretty darn good. Still on stock settings and the ski is amazing. No matter how hard you push it, there is more ski than skier...at least in my case.

Works 01

Pulled out my old Nautique catalog and read about the 210. Any boat that advertises "don't forget about the removable table...perfect for dinner on the lake" does not sound much like a slalom tug!! V-drive and 3,190 lbs. !!

I had 2 Masterline handles they retrofitted with the protective covering converting them to the "pro-tech" design.

Ok @Horton, you were right. (do you ever get tired of hearing that?) Went back to 7 degrees. But I also went back to C2 from A2!

When teaching people to slalom, after the boom, we use the "get it up rope handle", better known as EZ-up handle. The handle "pulls the ski" and keeps it straight. Check out Perfski. They have them.

First set on demo R3 at Swiss. 67 inch, all stock settings, skiing at 34 mph on C2 behind Ski Nautique. First pass free skied down the lake to get a feel. Then 28 off, 3 x 32 off, 35 off, then 2 shots at 38. (missed them both) Initial impression was a VERY confidence building ski. As one gains trust with more passes, ski rolls on edge very well, fast cross course speed and very symmetrical turns both on and off side. As with most skis, it does favor a skier neutral position and it is better to be over the front than on the back. When you get late with too much speed and need to crank a turn, there is no chance of blowing the tail. Second set: my lake behind 196 Nautique on C2 @ 34 mph. Head/tail wind. 2 x 28, 2 x 32, 1 x 35, 2 x 32. Liked the ski even more with more passes on it. Was more aggressive on it and the ski, while really smooth and consistent, with more aggression, worked very well too. Summary: Very versatile ski, fast, predictable, consistent on and off-side turns, rolls on edge very well. Very high end ski with fantastic build quality. While there are subtle differences in skis...and skier technique, all the top manufacturers are making such great products. It is a testament to all the ski designers and manufactures that a skier can jump on one of their skis and run into 38 off, on stock settings on a first set. (I bought a Works 01 and ran 5 @ 38 on it in the first set, again, all stock settings). A tip of the hat to Bill P. and Performance for allowing me to demo the ski. Performance is truly so passionate about doing all they can for folks into water sports. Can't say enough good things about 'em!

Picked up a demo today at Performance. Will give a go and report back.

When I first started skiing, free skied 35 off @ 36 mph thinking I was a darn good skier. Then I went to ski school and reality set in. Took me 5 days to run 15 off once @ 30 mph in the course. Very humbling experience.

It is important to remember you have to set the correct letter before you go to training mode. At ZO start-up, my REV S default is always B2. If you do not change to your preferred letter prior to changing to practice mode, you get whatever letter was last used in tournament mode.

@MastercrafterI was probably an exception, but I just bought a Works 01 new without trying it first. I had been on Syndicate Omegas for 3 years, so figured the Works 01 was an improvement.....and it is!

@HortonYeah, I know. I have always gone at least 7 degrees. Not sure what compelled me to try it, but it seemed to work for me. I can have more tip without losing any speed. Still getting used to it, and at 38 it may not be enough....too much speed on on-side, but it is fun to play around and be a bit unorthodox.

Update on the Works 01. Have about 15 sets on the ski all on stock settings. Tried to move my binders back from 30 inches and unfortunately, the D3 Leverage hole pattern and the ski will not permit it. I reduced the wing from stock 8 degrees to 5 degrees. Obviously made the ski faster, but what I discovered was how much of the ski tip can be in the water in the turn without losing any speed. Carrying more speed outbound while still keeping the front engaged made for more efficient, less effort turns with more angle. Also, this ski can roll on edge a ton. I do need to get used to increased speed and start my edge change earlier, but the more one rides this ski, the more attributes emerge. All skiing at 34 mph 28 to 38 off.

Carry your own rope at all times. You will know how old it is and how many rides are on it. A club rope or ski school rope is not representative of a typical rope due to many factors such as sun exposure multiple rides.

I regularly ski behind my 196, a 2023 Ski Nautique and in the recent past, a 2022 6.0 Nautique 200. While the pull may feel slightly different from boat to boat, from 32 off thru 38 off @ 34 mph, the wakes on any of the aforementioned boats is not even worth consideration. They all seem pretty darn good to me. Perhaps free skiing, one may not be as much on edge as one skiing 38 off in a course and really in good ski position (as one must be to run 38). Any 38 off skier would be happy with the wakes behind any of these boats.

@Horton interested in your hard learned lesson...if you care to elucidate.

Dang @Jody_Sealthat is a bit harsh!! But my old 196 with the Jody Seal installed ZO is still going strong!!