Race_Carver

I agree. Absolutely horrible finish corral design. I suspect what got him was not crashing into the netting, but ramming his head into the large pile of snow/ice at the edge of the course.

I believe that last jump at the Hahnenkamm was redesign last year to address that issue. I don't know if you have ever rode on the Streif slope where the Downhill is run, but that is one scary piece of real estate. I don't think you could ever make that place safe.

Hi Pat, Ted and Bode are super skilled at what the do, and I'm sure they will adapt just fine. This change only affects GS the most. Slalom rules are unchanged. SuperG has a minor change with skis having to be only a few cm longer than now, most racers probably won't notice much. DH is virtually unchanged with the exception on a 5mm lowering stand height. Ted and Bode will have to adjust their GS technique, but so will everyone else on the World Cup so everyone will be in the same boat. As far as data, the FIS and manufactures have been studying this for 6 years. Both agree World Cup GS needs less turny skis. The only difference is the skis companies feel 35 meters is ok for everybody, the FIS wants 40 meters for men. They agreed to discuss this more at the August meeting. Remember, these rules only apply to the World Cup level. Won't effect the NASTAR/Beer League/ J5-J1/ Masters racers at all.

From what I have been told, the course set rules will be the same. Old technique GS skis were 55-60 meter turn radius. The new GS skis with 35-40 meter turn radius will fall between the current GS of 27 meters and the current SuperG skis that are 40+ meters or so in turn radius. If you have ever watch a SuperG race, you know those skis can really carve too.

Jack, I see your point. Going from a ski nominally called "27 meters" to a ski nominally called "40 meters" does seem like a big jump. The point my source of information was making, and this is the FIS's point also, is that with the current World Cup GS set, the "27 meter skis" are too turny and can really hook up at speed. I don't know if you have ever seen a World Cup GS set up close, but it is nothing like a USSA J1 or Masters Level set. Those gates are really set far apart down the hill, more like a J1 or Masters SuperG course. When I said it wouldn't be a radical change, I meant that a 35 - 40 meter ski will be able to carve down that type of course. It will be more challenging for the racers to accomplish that, but the FIS thinks that is the lesser evil than using a too turny ski that has been shown to hook at at World Cup GS speeds. Kind of like running a 163 slalom board balls to the wall down White Nitro at the 'Loaf. Yes, it can be done, but if that sucker hooks up at 40 mph, watch out!

If anyone is interested, I found out some more info on this topic. The FIS has stated that starting in 2012-2013 Men's GS skis used at the World Cup level must be 40 meter turn radius and a minimum length of 195cm. Women's GS must be 35 meters turn radius, and a minimum of 188 cm in length. Maximum waist width will be 65mm, and the current total stand height (base of ski to bottom of foot inside boot) will remain at 50mm. Apparently, the FIS has been studying this issue for years, and has determined that the current 27 meter skis cause too many injuries at GS speeds which can reach 55 mph. The biggest problem is with the new shaping and flex technology applied to race skis that allows the 27 meter skis to turn much shorter than their physical radius implies. This allows the ski to "hook up" at speed causing severe knee injuries in GS. The ski manufactures are pretty much on board with the findings except they state that they prefer 35 meter turn radius for both Men and Women, as the increase from 35 to 40 meters only showed a marginal increase in safety. From what I have been told, with new technology the 40 meter skis will be able to carve turns in 29-30 meters, so this will involve some change in how GS skis react from a racers perspective, but it is not a radical change as it seems on the surface.

Hot Boxing only has any benefit for alpine equipment if you are talking about speed skis for SuperG or Downhill events. Speed event skis spend much more time gliding flat on the snow than turning. I don't know anyone, including tuners at the World Cup level that hot box technical event skis for Slalom or GS events. Alpine snowboards are much more similar to tech event skis in construction and use (lots of turns being made). You really need to be careful with hot boxing. If the box gets too hot, it is very easy to overheat the epoxy and delaminate the equipment. Mike DeSantis doesn't suggest hot boxing alpine equipment (skis or boards) at all, with the exception of speed event skis used in serious competition.

Agree with Bordy 100% on the UPZ liners. Once you get some time in on them, they will really mold to your foot shape well. I find the full heat molded types spongy and vague feeling, but in the end boot feel is personal taste.

Thanks for the update! I had a feeling this may be the case with the 4x4 plate designs. This is not the fault of the plate designers, they have no way of knowing the spacing / offset between the front and rear inserts for every board design out there. My two SG race boards have the original Hangl plate system secured by 24 ski binding screws. Sigi mounted the plates up himself according to my specifications. I was thinking of converting to the newer mono plate design using the boards existing 4x4 inserts, but without actually trying the plates on the boards, I think I will stick to the existing Hangl system for now. When I get new race boards, I will investigate the the UPM mounts as an option.

??? They have already won 6. I have no prediction on the score, the Steelers seem to keep you right on the edge of your seat to the very end. I'm thinking a Steelers win, with a typical Big Ben last minute amazing play.

Importing ski/snowboards into the U.S. from Europe is duty free. Your biggest expense will be international shipping. I've used DHL in the past with good service. If the seller wants paid in Euros, your local bank will charge an additional fee for the conversion. Like Jack said, I don't know if I would go through the hassle for a FP.

Thanks, I feel confident that the Donek plate works well in free carving situations from what I have read here. I haven't seen any reviews/opinions about how the plate works in racing situations say compared to the Apex or Bomber carbon plate. Does anyone know if Sean has some racers on his plate? Racing/race training is a very different dynamic than free carving. Basically, I got the SG at a steal, and Sean's price point is good for what I want to use it for. However, if the Donek plate doesn't react "right" in the course, then it really isn't a bargain for my intended use of it.

That's what I do too. Actually, this is exactly what you need to do to get race plug ski boots on/off too, so inserting/removing the liner with your foot is really not that uncommon.

When it is that cold, the snow crystals become sharp and aggressive like an abrasive. Like others have said, use a cold temp wax, and make sure you brush it totally out. You will need a stiff metal brush to remove wax that hard. Any wax left on the surface will just slow you down.

Looking for opinions/feedback on how the Donek plate works for racing. I just picked up a mint condition used first generation SG 185 metal race board with a 4x4 insert pattern that I'm planning to use for general carving/gate training/jumping into a NASTAR course/ etc., when I don't want to bring out the new SG race boards.