RAWSki

Sounds like the current culture doesn't trust people/clubs to take care of their boats beyond 2 years. I would not have a problem skiing an 8-10 year old ZO boat at an event. Assuming I know the Chief Judge and Driver have checked it out. We have taken a 2015 and 16 CP to slalom events in 2020-21 when sites were short on promos.

@Horton I believe that has happened. Basically any boat previously approved by AWSA Boat Committee can be used in a class C, I am sure @MISkier can provide more details but even the ELR events have slightly less restrictive requirements.

Anyone know much about the SP Skis out of Cyprus? He has 3 slalom models now as well as a Trick and Jump skis.

Do those really make a difference? I remember when Malibu first installed down turned tips many years ago they actually made their boats louder! (Of course there may not have been any baffles in them of course)

@Broussard I mostly agree with you, ----- I do think if colleges are putting a good competitive product on their field they will fill their stadiums and most are selling beer now!. And yes my point is that we used to take "the show" to where the people would be or want to be anyway. Lake Lanier Islands, Sea Worlds, Central Parks etc. The skiers understood and dealt with the conditions because there was money to be earned plus the atmosphere created by the tour and TV coverage really added to the event. Could it be done now? Maybe not, the Masters is close, and the event I watched last year on TWBC from Lake Hancock looked great, I hope they can keep building on that. @Horton thanks for doing this it does remind us about some great skiers from different eras. Looking forward to seeing the T, J and Overall standings!

I find it interesting that two of the three events listed are constantly 'asterisked' for being less than ideal conditions. But when most Ballers reminise about the 'good ole days' or "hot summer nights era"...... They seem to forget that none of the sites were ideal or even of Robin Lake Quality. So did the sport loose favor+sponsors or did the we, as a sport, transition to a private "Country Club Mentality" ??

Ya we prefer the orange as well they seem to visually pop better when its overcast or early and late in the day. Those just both look red in the photo, is there a difference in person?

@The_MS is it just the photo or do your two balls look almost the same!?? Happy Birthday by the way! 😉

@eleeski looks reminiscent of many boats before 2000 that had ride plates off the back with manual threaded adjustment. These were 'legal' by AWSA rules although a driver could tweak their boat to their liking. Then Tige came out with TAPs and that was deemed illegal because it was variable. Now Nautique has multiple hull adjustments that are more consistent-controllable in theory.

@stevezie agree with your review completely I had a 2000 Eclipse and it was always praised for its wakes and pull. It had the Scorpion Merc and cruise control plus a lot of torque filed onto the rudder made it pretty decent to drive in the course but it still took some skill. A really hard right turn also invited a "chine flop" but I never found it felling unsafe.......@Dano The Eclipse did have basically the same running surface as the Falcons-Lapoints but they widened and lengthened it above the water line. It was almost 20'8"!

Didnt I say Slippery Slope a week or two ago?

What is the mens and women "slalom challenge" scheduled for later today? Is it a consolation round? Men's slalom challenge - top 10 missed finals (4 pass max) 4:20 PM

The new Exec Dir of USAWS said in a recent interview. "It's not going away" it is what it is. I think of SS like having to go to the DMV every few years to renew my license . Annoying for sure but after an hour of stupidity it's over and done.

A few California "sleepers" might include the MB190 boss and the MB200LS The Tige 2000comp and 2002slm (Those are models not years) And Centurion Falcons, LaPoints and the Eclipse. (same hulls with tweaks) (The original Tiges and Falcons were all made by Fineline-Centurion)

I owned a Carbon Pro and the wakes at slalom speed were really good as mentioned. But if you want to go "way back" I might give the nod to a '94 ProStar 190 the wakes from 30-36 might have even been better.