neil sunday

despite the inch of rain, the races are still on! everyting looks good for a weekend of racing...

well stated strider. as long as there is interest in the sport, and youth to fill the voids as veterans retire, the sport of snowbaord racing will continue. the more of us that are involved and communicating will help things along!

NASTAR nationals may be a great race, but i think they have some work to do if they are just now considering using snowboard gates. considering stubbies came out in 1996-97 season, they are only about 10 years behind the times... in all seriousness, running ski gates is not even in the same ballpark as running stubbies. body mechanics, line, impact are all totally different. I consider them dangerous to the body for snowboarders.

USASA - Mid Atlantic Snowboard Series EVENT AT SKI ROUNDTOP THIS WEEKEND 3/3 Two (2) Slalom races 3/4 Two (2) Duel GS races both days registration begins at 7:30am. Visit www.snowboardseries.com for more info This race is hosted by my snowboard team, the Ski Roundtop Race Club. Expect perfectly measured courses- 28 gate slalom and 24 gate Giant slaloms. If you aren't racing come out to see some great amateur snowboarding action. We are expecting approximately 50 racers. Race starts are at 10:00am each day, with the second race starting at approx 1:00pm.

USASA - Mid Atlantic Snowboard Series EVENT AT SKI ROUNDTOP, PA THIS WEEKEND 3/3 Two (2) Slalom races 3/4 Two (2) Duel GS races both days registration begins at 7:30am. Visit www.snowboardseries.com for more info This race is hosted by my snowboard team, the Ski Roundtop Race Club. Expect perfectly measured courses- 28 gate slalom and 24 gate Giant slaloms. If you aren't racing come out to see some great amateur snowboarding action. We are expecting approximately 50 racers. Race starts are at 10:00am each day, with the second race starting at approx 1:00pm.

www.fuelclothing.com they have some durable stuff...

Felix- a 153 is way too short for the adult slalom rider. you will fold the nose resulting in some major spills. attempt to ride a 163-166 in slalom... as far as getting within two seconds of a world cup rider on a 26 second course- GOOD LUCK. they are so much faster than it looks or you could imagine... i'd shoot for getting within 3 to 4 seconds, only if you are a very accomplished top level amateur... regards- Neil

while anytype of thermo liner may provide great fit, there is no substitute for the hel wedge, outside the liner but affixed to the plastic part ofthe sole of the shell... that is the best way to avoid heel lift. this also helps a better fit at the top of the liner/shell, as you are now working on the thinner part of your calf muscle. good luck!

pharamcies should have it...

what about the tape the ski downhillers are using. I just saw a bunch of them wearing tape on their cheekbones that allowed the goggles to overlap down onto it. seemed to work for them. I think the conditions were 0 degrees in Are, Switz where the race was... Might be worth looking into, as it allows you to breath uniterrupted through your nostrils...

I'd recommend finding a comfortable condition that suits all your riding styles and sticking with that. when you take things apart constantly they tend to loosen up and get sloppy just a bit... IMO. Plus-- quite honestly, I think guys are thinking this BTS dramatically changes with minute adjustments- that's not the case...

i'll take some pics and get 'em posted for you... today we've got 5 inches of snow followed by 1 inch of freezing rain!

when learning a new technique, think about linking the drills or the technique you want ot work on, so one drill naturally leads into the next... for example- i am not going to tell my kids to work on their arm positioning one minute and the advance to a lesson on driving with the knees the next. i will work from the head to the feet or vice versa. as long as they can build from one lesson learned to the next. we have a 4 run coaching warm up drill that my team does. it allows the rider to progress from the ground up- and by the fourth drill or training exercise they are ready to tear up the moutain...

we know how to get well groomed trails!!! Beer works wonders for all things at Ski Roundtop...

I have 25 days using the BTS with Raichle af 700'S that are quite modified. i am also using the hangl plate binding system with snowpro bindings on a donek 182 GS board. I use the red springs and also have BOOSTER straps on my boots as well. the BTS system for me has made the boots flex EVENLY without any noticaeable "start up" or "lock out" interference. My friend and co-coach has the same number of days on his, and they have withstood his demands... he has the same hangl plate setup, but rides with TD2 toe and heel pieces bolted to the hangl plate. he has torn the heelblock bolts right out of the hangl plate two times- both on toeside turns, but has not done any damage to the BTS... His observations were the same as mine- even flex throughout... We both ride with a "neutral" or somewhat straight up front foot, with the back leg flex forward more, and both ride with 10mm heel blocks on the back binding... Overall- well worth the money on the BTS.

DFJ- how's my boy Jonny Geiger riding this year? he told me that me and matt are working on stuff... are you going to be at Northstar? hope all is well with you.

Reviewing the FIS results the last couple of weeks, I have noticed Philip Schoch has not been in the events. Any know what's going on? Could one of the Swiss Robots be unwired?

A big shout out to Phil for all the time to organize an event like this for us Mid Atlantic Guys to get together... It's only a couple days a season I get to ride with other hardbooters (aside from the kids on my team)... I truly enjoyed a day where I could ride the lift with people of the same direction- compared to usually sitting beside a skier who wants to know if what's on my feet is an "actual snowboard." Thanks Phil!

Right on Brotha' Man! see you tommorrow Phil & Crew. Safe travels for all-- looks like no weather to contend with...

Paapraiser- i have the BTS system dialed in, and will check your's out at MAC tracks tomorrow....

The race clinic will benefit all attendees... I have had experience coaching all types of riders for the last 7 years, and have been involved with everythign from grass roots backyard races to world cup level events. Hope to see you out there!

now that's funny noah! Seb- was it as steep as the pitch at Whiteface when the FIS WC ran the PGS there? that was pretty ballsy...

And all these issues at a FIS event? Must have been a nightmare and a huge waste of time and money- I hope the bugs and failures have been addressed and can be corrected. Any chance of a make up race?

Epic snow last night at Roundtop, and no signs of anything changing!!! SEE you all Friday bright, cold and early!!!!!!!!!!

good point regarding footbeds and placement of the "anti-heellift pads" i'll need to keep an eye on my kids to make sure it's not happening to them. i personally got lucky- but also have an extremely proficient bootfitter that i have to schedule in advance before he takes the time to make a set of footbeds for myself or my athletes... we usually duct tape the "foam wedge" onto the thin plastic sole plate mentioned by YYZ to ensure it doesnt slide.. but again, these are only used when a rider cannot adequatley fit their calf into the boot due to size-- particullarly common with female riders in their teens and beyond.