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 Learning How To Ski and Race General Discussion looking for ski... | |
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Re: looking for ski buying advice
Posted: 04 Feb 11 11:28 PM |
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Hi Cathy,
Everyone will have their own preferences, and I may be biased toward the Atomic ski out of the three that you brought up here. The Völkl usually were too much of a ski for my built, the Elan toe piece binding did not work great with my boots, and the Atomic D2 Race GS, when I tested them in Steamboat two years ago were just... sweet. It was a full, FIS regulation, 27 m ski, and I was not sure I would like it being used to my 21.5 GS 11 model. Not true! The D2 hit some sweet spots when forward-pressured, and is my favorite GS ski this far.
That being said, it does not mean that the D2 is the right ski for you. I am also not so hot on following the "first impressions" in choosing the race skis. Race skis may have their own ways in taking you for a ride, and it may take some learning and adjusting of your own skiing to reverse the trend. But then, the rewards are plentiful; the boards hold like a rock when you need them and their responsiveness is just beyond words.
We do not go at World Cup, nor USSA speeds, to strictly adhere to their respective 180 cm and 175 com, with 23 m and 21 m equipment rules for women, but my personal preference would be to stick reasonably close to the regulations; by a "step down", but not two or three.
There is no weight stipulation in racing, just age, class, and discipline, and while your built might suggest a "lighter" ski, you may find that a better fit is a nimble, yet still a "fuller" ski of the two suggested models. Several colleges who I have hard time catching up to chose to ride longer skis with shorter radius. This gives them some extra gliding advantage, while allowing them to carve out some shorter radius turns, when needed. Not a bad strategy, but still their skis are for the most part 17+ m radius, not less.
Last but not least, check them out, if you can. Ski some other models, even if they are off your final list to get some clues from what the skis are telling you. Maybe they tell you a different narrative than this one.
Let us know, Cathy!
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| | Learning How To Ski and Race General Discussion looking for ski... | |
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