Booze

@Razorskier1 - Are you RFF or LFF?

I generally try to move or correct only when there is load on the boat. I hope that's the right thing to do.

Very cool. Midwest?

@LLUSA - for real?! Will they require two lakes? ;)

I don't understand why anyone would invest so much time, effort, etc into becoming a really good skier (I know that's subjective) and NOT be interested in laying it on the line at a tournament. I have some friends that purport to be into slalom and want to be better but totally scoff at the idea of doing a tournament....even if it's at our own site! I just don't understand. I've been in love with slalom since I was 12 years old. To me, it wasn't just about running back and forth on a course by myself....it was for the goal of skiing well and hopefully kicking ass in a tournament. Who cares what somebody does in practice...if that's all they do? Tournament scores is what counts IMO. The time, money. and effort spent in preparing and following through with it is part of the point.

@AdamCord - can you elaborate on what "this move" is? Currently I approach my onside with handle vertical and it stays that way until I hook up for the lean out of the buoy. (still probably pre-releasing though) But I approach my offside with the handle horizontal, release and let it go vertical, and through turn rotate it back to almost horizontal. Thanks

@Than_Bogan - various (worthy) details have been mentioned here. To be clear, what is "it" or "this"? If we're talking about handle alignment, at what point(s) should it go vertical on strongside and horizontal on offside? All the way through turn?

@dvskier - LOL - Yep

"make a good edge change"

Nothing stands in the way of my ski purchases. My girlfriend (and probably wife someday) knows it too.

Ha! Yeah, I loved the whip and glide.

@Rich - I did that with my aluminum reflex and it stuck well. Interesting to see your success with a G10 plate. Did you prep the surface before laying down the filler?

@Razorskier1 - I like the way you think @jhughes - yeah, lot of parallels there for me. It's fun to try new things even if it's a used ski. Some of those I tried were more for fun or curiosity. Some felt great at 32 but sucked at 35, so those were soon gone. Others were very good and took numerous sets (or months) to reach a verdict. Note: I'm back on the venerable XT. It's not the fastest stick on the track but seems to be the best compromise and yields results. I will admit there were some of those skis that did numerous things well and given an extended period of adjustment could have been a keeper. But it's kind of like dating a girl, how many dates does it take to determine whether to continue pursuing, or pull the plug? Imagine dating a girl that's hot and nice, but has a grating laugh, man-hands, is a masseuse but won't give me a massage, eats peas one at a time, always wears the same dress, etc.

@RichardDoane - I agree with that. I used the same reflex for years, just added that variable this spring. I've settled on the new HO at this point. (though liner is still undecided).

I have caught alot of flak from my fellow skier friends, particularly recently, for not sticking with a single ski (and setup) for a extended amount of time. e.g; last year I tried 6 different skis, though this year I'm down to 3...about to be 4. Note that some skis carry over from one year to the next. I seem to have a reputation for strapping on something different nearly every day, whether it be a ski, binding, liner, fin, wing...not to mention settings. Their argument is that you cannot become one with your ski and find perfect harmony unless an extended (and undisclosed) amount of time has been spent riding it...all occurring without the distraction of other harlot skis with their empty promises of happiness and more buoys. So I find myself conflicted, because in a way I know they have a point. (it's not the arrow it's the Indian) BUT, there are so many variables to slalom ski equipment. If you feel your ski and setup is not right and could be improved on, what are you supposed to do? It's like every ski has it's unique personality and behavior but is never just right. Now if I could condense all those traits into one ski....voila! I guess I'm looking for feedback from other shortline tournament skiers, chasing buoys. How many skis have you tried in the last 5 years? @Horton - obviously you've ridden many different skis in the last few years. Do you feel it has ultimately helped or hindered your performance?

I used this reflex for years with size 12 and thin stock liner. I just replaced the release from new spare 750 plate, and did the bondo experiment. I'm impressed with the results. The boot interfaces with the plate incredibly well now. I also started using the HO this spring. I'm in A/B comparison mode now. I believe I'll stick with the HO because of the boot. a) The reflex is too large in the toe area, whereas the HO is snug. (ie, reflex size 10 too small, size 12 too large....HO size 10/11 just right) b) The HO transmits fore and aft movement "better". Not sure how to elaborate, it just seems to ski better in that regard. c) The boot is more flexible overall (while still snug to foot) which I believe is good. d) BUT, the HO boot while very comfortable and well built, is too thick in the footbed. It feels like 1/2 inch of foam, which is bad in my opinion. I want more connection to the ski, not soft squish. I've been using an old rollerblade liner which has a very thin footbed.

Bondo

@Horton - Is there ANY moisture at all on the ski, your hands, the caliper? I've seen the pattern where ANY minute hint of water fouls the readings, typically in the FL zone. (6-7 inches)

Yes! My problem is (feels like) generating enough cross-course angle and speed to allow rolling onto inside edge at second wake...and still have comfortable width.

+1 on the MOS option. It's well constructed and offers a platform for any boot

Bump - Any up to date comments?

da bass

@Skijay - can you expound on how binding placement affects ski path or tendencies in the 2nd wake to preturn zone? I'm working on conserving every bit of my cross course vector while rolling onto/into the inside ski edge (or moving ski out and under handle). Could bindings to far back contribute to a ski not holding an outward path well, during and after edge change? Thanks for your useful info here. [and yes I have the book, :) ]

I still have my '78 circa X2. I would love to ride it but I'm afraid I would snap it in two.