Donek

Having spent a lot of time on GS boards in the last couple years, these seemed to have a lot of pop and energy to me. Making quick short turns, I found it very prone to wanting to catch a bit of air between turns.

Give us a couple more weeks to be certain we've got everything where we want it.

When you build a prototype it's often wise to try to anticipate all possible contingencies. Those are a modified UPM hole pattern intended for trying a plate on the system. While the prospect is not completely out of the question, it has become less likely in light of this weeks testing.

In general, you might tread lightly when using this assembly directly mounted to a metal board. I do not believe you would have any issues if doing so on our freecarve or proteus models. You might on our REV series boards. You would be fine on all our fiberglass constructions.

Here's a little update on what we've done as a result of going to CM. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Xt67o-NCxqw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I've lost 15lbs since SES and I'm about gain it all back... I think Jenifer ordered some from different vendors off Amazon. Maybe I'll bring you a little bite next week. :)

You made me go and look. I found these guys in the US. I think they may be worth a try. http://ilovestroopwafels.com/ilsshop/

I'm starting on a prototype skinny board today. I'm planning to send over a couple boards for you guys to try/pass around at the November event. Watch for some video updates on those in the next week or so.

Jenifer is very Jealous. She brought some back from Holland several years ago and we paced ourselves on finishing them. Todd and I spend a bit of time earlier that day trying to find them at the grocery stores in Soelden with no luck. Thanks Hans.

I didn't take any photos of that Fin.

The event is over, but we are here one more day. There are about 10 locals riding tomorrow and Alex from Carving Mag will still be here. The weather looks promising for photos, so we are going to try to go get photos for the Magazine. Will try to post a few if I can.

F2, 1994, and Virus

12 Snowboards manufacturers, 3 binding manufacturers, 1 boot manufacturer, and a magazine company on site today. There was also a live band, a Harley Davidson gathering, and the opportunity to try driving a snowcat or a snow mobile.

It is possible it could be along the lines of a proteus, but many of the riders here are on glass type boards contractions.

This mountain a some others in Europe are rather different from the US. They are very steep groomed hills that are more easily ridden with a very narrow, tight turning fixed radius and lively board. We will most likely offer a board that is designed around these parameters.

Day 1 of the event. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lGw1tlOB2h0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I will try, but there are now guarantees on the video today. Everything got started and everyone wants to go out for dinner and drink, so I may be limited on time. Very good day although the snow turned slushy today. With luck it will firm up tomorrow. We will see. There are 8 snowboard brands represented in the demo area. The riding styles are quite different here. A Lot less race derived and more about freecarving and having fun, but with the need to make tight turns on steep terrain due to crowds. I expect we will have at least one new line of boards for next year, so we can begin to meet the needs of the European riders. Lots of really nice people here who just want to carve and have fun.

Day 2 and 1 day before the official start. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OJTS_zEzdb0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

yes there was a bad white balance setting on a couple clips. As I'm editing in camera, I can't adjust that yet. When I re edit for the final version I'll correct it. We brought 8 demos this year as we really do not know what to expect. We are already getting some ideas. There are shops in town that stock alpine gear and we see more hard booters on the hill than soft booters; and the event has not even begun.

I am in Soelden with Todd Brown for Carving Masters. The Event starts on Friday, but we rode today. Here's a little video I shot today. This is all in camera editing, so look for a better version after I get back. I'll try to post a short video every day. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xGcBK1QgBFs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Depending on the plate design, the UPM can provide a far more immediate edge engagement. A lot of people feel that the delay in edge engagement, when riding a plate, is due to the height off the board. In our development of the F and AF plates, we found that the use of the UPM and different types of hardware generated a plate that engages the edge far faster than with the 4X4 pattern. When plates first started coming out the flex patterns had not been optimized for them. shifting the pattern to the rear made it possible to load the board in a stiffer section of the board. As flexes have evolved to work better with plates, this has become unnecessary .

Prototype testing on Thursday at A-basin. We will be testing some new prototypes on Thursday Apr. 11. Anybody is welcome to come join us to ride and observe the process. Prototypes will of course be reserved for the testers and pros we are currently working with. We do expect to have a day in May that will be open to anyone wishing to test the new developments. We look forward to seeing you there.

Some of the versions of thermoflex liners pack out faster. I replaced my liners after a couple years for some stiffer ones. Talk with Michelle and see what's available. I've also heard some prefer the intuition liners as they are stiffer. Stephanie from Equipe in Stratton looked at my boots/foot last year and informed me that I have a low volume ankle and the Deelux boots are high volume. I've started riding with these tongue inserts she sold me that take up a lot of the volume in the cuff of the boot. A boot fitter is your best bet. Remolding your liners might help for a little while.

The last of the race photos.

OK. Yeah speed suits are banned in FIS and therefore not going to be used at the national level either.