Race skis?

Question

I'm posting this question for the off chance that someone on this website might have a clue what I'm talking about.

I've been racing USSA for years (I need FIS legal skis, 175cm/21m) and this year for GS I bought a pair of Atomic LT:12s, 176 cm long with a 21 m turn radius. The problem with these skis is that my GS racing has taken a major dive--I went from sweeping the GS races last year to barely finishing middle of the pack and never placing this season. GS used to be my strength--now I'm relying on my slalom to get me to the postseason events. The conclusion that my coaches and I have come up with is that Atomics in general are way too stiff for me.

Anyways, I'm researching a new pair of skis. The Fischer RC4s, 175cm are the most likely option--Rossignol and Head are also possible. I have contacts with all three companies and I'm planning on investigating a partial sponsorship. I would appreciate comments on the above mentioned brands or any different suggestions.

Answer 1

I'm gonna have to agree about the demo...that would be the best way to go.  I don't own gs skis, but my RC4 SL's are only a little softer than atomic's sl12.  The main reason i prefer fischer over atomic is that they are way more responsive.  even though they're not much softer, they seem to react instantaneously to any skier input, whereas the atomics that i have tried feel bulky and dead in comparison.  I think the LT ones are atomic's softer model though, so fischers might be too stiff for you.  My friends rossignols are really easy to ski on...they might actually be better than mine in gates, but they're a little soft for my personal liking.  You might want to look at some of the rossignol models.

Answer 2

Since you have contacts with all three companies, and probably have an established record of performance, ask each company rep if they have a pair you can demo. If that doesn't work, go to a shop that carries each brand and measure the stiffness of the ski by standing on it while it is on a 2x4 board at each end of the ski and have someone measure how much you bend the ski with just you weight.  Do the same with your atomics before you try the shop skiis.

  You might also try some of the race camps in your area, some of them may have a pair of used but not abused pairs you can try.

  You don't mention your size, which might help determine just what you might be better off trying.  Do some research on other racers your size and weight and what they are using for which event.  When I raced, the only competitors my size were using  Austrian made, White Stars, Alu Steel,  and sometimes Head.  

I do hope this helps. You also might check the balance point on your bindings and compare the ramp angle of your old bindings with the new ones.  Atomic has a very flat ramp angle, Tyrolia and Marker are steeper, Look/ Rossignol is the steepest. Ramp is the amount of heel raise compared to the boot toe.  Also have you changed boots or modified them in any way recently?

Answer 3

ok for this one i am your man for this trust me i also race USSA and i just so happen to have the fischers and i just want to say GET THE FISCHERS!!!!! i own these skiis i love these skis they are th best that i have ever skiied on in my life i got three golds four silvers and seven bronzes on them also they will not be to stiff because i think that they still make the 175 in a jr ski which has only one metal plate in it for stiffness instead of two. any way the fischers are a charm made in austria they are the most hard core bad *** ski everererererer and also i flex them fine and i weigh 95 pounds so you can trust that your next season will be a great one on the fischers.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S

i bet that both of us are the only USSA racers on the whole answeres net work(if there are any others tell me).