2008 Independent Ski Tests

[Horton]

I am finally planning the 08 Tests. The format will be a little different from a testing perspective but the article should look familiar. The Tests will be sometime in late fall and in So Cal. If you want to be involved let me know.  

I think I will set up a Ski Test specific forum for those involved.

 

I am off to a Big Dawg this week but when I get back the tests are the next big thing on my calendar.  

 

[BillBarton]

Are you looking for a wide range of skill levels or a dozen or so folks who can use these skis to their high potential?

[Horton]

Toad,

That is a great question. I need skiers who can give good feedback. In the past I have used high end skiers but I plan to spread out the ablity levels as much as I can.

[BillBarton]

Awesome! I don't envy you when it comes to interview time :)

I'm guessing there are a hundred skiing animals out there like me who can go all day long, day after day, and would LOVE to get in on something like that. I'll be sure to keep an eye out here when you finally call for resumes.

 GT

[kpickett]

Hi John,

 I'm still interested.  I sent you an email.

 Thanks,

Kyle

[ScarletArrow]

I would be interested in what your testers have to say about D3.

I would also be interested in a product review of different bindings. 

With all the hoopla of hardshell vs. rubber - you could generate some good conversation.

Anthony

[Horton]

The test team is slowing forming. If you think you belong but you have not gotten an invite drop me a line

[BillBarton]

Just got back in the country, e-mail on the way............

[Horton]

Dates are set. Team is comming together.

[Chuck_Dickey]

John,

 Still no email from you.  Have you heard from Mattias yet?

 Chuck Dickey

[Joe McCreary]

John,

I would be interested in being on the test team if you have any spots open

Joe McCreary

[Horton]

Joe,

Maybe . . . check your email. I will be looking at the team make up over the next few days.

[Horton]

The team is almost set but I need a couple of 36MPH guys.  Email me if you want in.

[ScarletArrow]

John - can you give us a sneak peek on how the testing format will be different?

[Horton]

All the test skiers will be wearing bikinis

[RS]

Man, I hope those dudes are at least wearing wetsuits over the top of em.   

[Horton]

no

[mopowpow]

Did they get a bikini wax?

[BillBarton]

eeewwwww...this thread went down hill quick

[Horton]

If you are on the team check the Blog . . . there is NEWS

[Horton]

Check the blog in case you did not get the emails today.

Bindings and Who Skis What Days

[Horton]

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/93305?from=36hr_topnav_undeclared

Bikini Weather for the test!

[skidawg]

Much warmer weather here in LA, just can't try to change and run from mother nature.

[Director Darwin]

Mike said he wasn't going to take a wetsuit ("it's in California - how cold can it be?").  This will change his mind!!

[Old MS Accout]

lOOKS WARM TO ME. I have been in a polar dry suit since I left Orlando on the 2nd.

[Horton]

If getting ready for the Ski Tests was not stress enough the darn forum crashed this week! AHHaaaaaaaaaaaaa! It only took 3 hours to fix and I am on my way to a late night UPS pickup to get something off the truck that I need for the tests.

[Director Darwin]

Lot's of fun, isn't it John?  Much easier when you can just fly into town and everything's set up and ready to go!  Have fun!

[BillBarton]

John we appreciate both the forum and all the effort you've put into the IST 08. I am one of the many that used IST 06 and IST 07 to make the informed decision that put me on the ski I'm on and we're grateful.

[skibug]

 

 SORRY, ACCIDENTALLY POSTED IN THIS FORUM....MOVED TOPIC IN "OTHER STUFF" Reference PerfectPass GPS system.

[Horton]

going to sleep now  . . . will talk to you guys when i wake up in about a month.

[BillBarton]

Good Job John!

That's a lot of details to tie up and I thought it went very well. How hard do you think it would be to get the team back together real quick to sign my cast

[auskier]

cast galaxy? what did you break?

seems like there is a story here... 

[BillBarton]

Oh, just me and my stupidity.

I had a mis-cue with a ski that I should have taken back to the dock briefly before pushing too hard. I don't know why they call this damn thing a walking cast, it's not like you can walk with it much less drive the truck.

Oh well. When the pictures come out I'll be the one standing in the cooler with the duct tape in my hand.

[kstateskier]

Tim you didn't really break something did you?  You aren't going to sue me for taping your ankle are you?

[BillBarton]

The official reading of the x-ray said "Grade 3 dislocation fracture."

If you hadn't showed me how to tape that thing I'd never have finished the week.

Thanks muchly,

Bill 

[DW]

Bill,

 Bummer on the break!  Carol and I are sorry to hear about it.  At least you can kick your subordinates in the rear and get them going!  Will this delay going back over to the desert?

 Heal quick.

[BillBarton]

Yes, I'll be staying close to the office for a while. I do heal quickly and Thank-you for the kind thoughts. It's not that big of a deal, I'm walking on it and hope to get one more run through the course with the help of Brad's duct tape job he showed me.

One of my personal goals for the week was to try and get every ski into my PB rope length so I was planning on pushing it pretty hard. At that rate it was only a matter of time before something happened.

I wouldn't have traded that week for anything. It was a blast! Great people, great experience, hope to do it again.

Bill 

 

[kstateskier]

Bill you are an animal!  BTW after we b*tched about the radio stations in Bakersfield ALL week I realized about an hour outside of LA that our d@mn car had Sirius Radio...  ugh

 

Bradley 

[BillBarton]

HAHAHAHAHA! That's hilarious!

No such features on the loser cruiser. Tim and I ended up at Wally World getting CD's for the week's theme music. Something in English was a nice change of pace.

[kstateskier]

Yep I hit a button on the dash accidentally and suddenly we were inundated with 100's of channels ALL in English! 

[BillBarton]

Good thing you ski better than you drive

Have you heard from the tribal elder (Ed) or is he still recovering?

[Horton]

[Ed_Obermeier]

Still kicking Bill.  I've already started hitting the gym to work on rehabing my beat up shoulders (and beat up knees and beat up back and ...).  As much as I hate that the season is over it's good to have a little recovery time.  Hope the ankle is better soon.

 Ed

[BillBarton]

That picture is cool. It takes a 'special' kind of person to get right up next to 6 ball like that just to get a picture.

[kstateskier]

RODRIGO! 

 I think he was straight out of the movie Up in Smoke!  

[KG]

When will waterski mag publish the ski test??

Thanks,

KG

[Horton]

Spring and a lot of them

 

[Horton]

Hmmmm. Already talking about how I would like to to the 09 Test even though I swear 08 is the last year.

[BillBarton]

How so?

I thought it went extremely well. Do you think we missed something? Maybe add a day to collaborate on the article before we all scamper off?

[Horton]

It did go very well. I am just always working on a better mouse trap.