Stathis Ventouris

@Horton on the Vapor boot I followed so far the 1/8th rule but we found last weekend with @skialex that the difference compared to the Reflex is 1/4th. I adjusted my front binding and my ski worked much better.

@unksskis is the waterski mode a new feature for garmin? I use a garmin watch but it does not have that feature.

@monkey I still have in my basement a Fisher01 yellow 66 in a good condition, I think with a Goode clamp and no wing. I will check it out.

@jcamp Greeks have organized stellar Olympics in 2004 despite some initial delays and this is recognized by everyone. The reason why unfortunately our sport has not become an Olympic sport has nothing to do with venue delays for the 2004 Olympics and I can assure you that the then Chairman of the HWWF had spent considerable money and effort towards achieving this. The basic two reasons that water skiing was not included were the following: a) There are no Olympic sports in which you have an interference/participation of a machine (ski boat) b) Back in 2004 nor Zero off or Sure Path existed thus it was impossible to ensure exactly the same driving for all the participants, therefore the driver could play a key role in the outcome.

@schuba Goode skis measure differently than other ski brands, a 67 is actually a 66 and a 68 is a 67. In my opinion, note that I was on a 67 at 168-170 pounds, you should get a 68 (with the 67 I struggled to find settings that would give me a better cross course speed). In addition the CC has a thinner profile that makes the ski to sit deeper in the water thus making the ski slower.

@Horton is right the real question is whether the main sponsor of a sport should interfere with the running of that sport. As I already stated in the other forum (on Freddie's ban) this is against the Code of Ethics of both the IWWF and the IOC and as a high ranking official of a national Federation I can assure everybody that this statement is true and correct. As I have read many comments with regards to why FW has not come out himself (to this or other forums) to tell his side of the story, I urge you to read again carefully @foxriverat comment.

@Horton has described what happened in the best possible way. Let me add though what I have just found out that makes things even worse. Freddie is not only banned from the Masters but also from the LCQ's where NAUTIQUE is not the organizer!!! One can argue that since he can not compete at the Masters no problem. However these tournaments are held in sites with excellent water conditions and usually competitors post some high scores. This year the big event is the WORLDS and athlete seeding is determined based on the scores posted throughout of the year. Therefore Freddie has been deprived not only from participating in two highly competitive tournaments but also of the opportunity to post big scores and maybe win. These behaviours towards Jacinta and Freddie should make us all wander whether our sport is on the right track.

@SlalomSteve since I was not present (Manon, Brooks, Rhoni Barton were), I refrained from commenting on the incident and the behaviour of Freddie that was triggered by what happened before. However, since `IWWF took an unprecedented action against an athlete, it would be fair for Freddie IWWF to disclose the evidence upon which they based their decision.

@Buxrus in my earlier comment, I described exactly what happened. @Jaypro it is against the Code of Ethics of both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the IWWF for sponsors to interfere with the running of the sport!

@zara59 well said! @Jody_SealI was not present at Galaway Gardens during the incident but knowing Freddie for more than 25 years “Bullying and intimidating the Chief Judge” is a harsh if not an unjustified statement for him. First lets recap what happened last year at the Masters for those that did not watch the livestreaming of the event. On the final elimination round Freddie is last of the dock, as the defending champion, and needs a score of 1@41off (10,25) to make the final. He runs 6@39,5off (at least what I saw and I guess the majority of the people watching the livestream) and eventually he was given following a judge decision 5@39,5off thus deprived of the opportunity to win the Masters for the 3rd consecutive time!!! A decision nobody understood as there was no clear boat video, due to a mistake of the cameraman or equipment malfunction, and the boat judge gave 6@39,5off and was overruled by the two tower judges!! As there was no video that could clearly evidence what happened one would expect at least a rerun. As somebody that loves water skiing and has followed the sport since the days of Bob La Point and of course the GOAT, Andy Mapple, the Masters (despite the not so perfect conditions) had been always considered the most prestigious and anticipated tournament to watch and most honourable to win. If we do not want our sport to die (unfortunately I see fewer and fewer young people involved with the sport and in our country the Senior 3 division has more competitors than the Open division and 3x the Senior 1 ones) a) the flagship of the sport The Masters SHOULD have the best live coverage, the most state of the art equipment and the best judging and b) it is unheard of that the key sponsor of the sport (also of the Worlds), that should do everything to promote our sport, to ban athletes from participating in tournaments especially one of the TOP ONES.

@Deanoski I totally agree a prerelease can be very dangerous if not kill you... After 10 years using a Reflex system I had a prerelease last December and hit the water hard. I was very lucky and got a way with a bone internal bruise on my right shoulder that took me about two months to get back on the water. As @mike_mapplesaid I was on an 840 (stainless steel) release, with previous models I never had an issue before. @Horton not a maintenance issue, it looks like that the stainless steel ones have a softer material that can bent overtime ( I had only 130 sets on it) thus resulting in unexpected releases. As a result since February I decided to switch to the new vapor boot without a releasable system.

Great such an early line, it looks smooth and effortless.

@cougfan sorry to disappoint you weather in Greece 10 days after the snow back to "normal" water 62 air 68 skied with a shorty.

Amazing conditions last weekend in Porto Heli Greece, water 60-62, air 63-70 and flat all day.

6 sets so far in January (first time so many) weather pretty good here in Greece, the majority of the sets with the exception of the last 2 (after a severe drop in temperature and some snow in the surrounding hills and mountains) water was57ish and air 60-63. In the last two water 47-50 and air 59-60 not bad at all.