Dshenberger wrote:ise wrote:pavelski wrote:
The newer 2009 skis seem to have discovered a way to make a "plate or rail system" that permits low vibration ,,yet has less weight! The Head SL World Cup and Fischers WC SL are two such examples!
No they haven't, plates have always had that function right back to Derby flex plate systems. Some manufacturers like K2 even played with piezoelectric systems inside the skis, Salomon had "suspension" binding systems at around the same time which would be the early 1990's. Most skis are designed to damp vibration, that becomes a design challenge with a stiffer ski so the function migrates to the binding and plate, obviously (or it should be) any interface provides the opportunity to provide dampening which is why it's been utilized for 20-odd years.
If you had read the whole statement you would have noticed that he said "yet has less weight." ;)
I did read it, and I'm happy to clarify now that part of the statement is also inaccurate :D
Dshenberger wrote:Also, thanks to all for the interesting perspectives. I understand what you are saying about them not being "real" race skis,
What makes a real race ski is FIS Homologation, that means to compete in a full FIS race a ski has to conform to certain standard, these differ for each event. In a nutshell that's it, some of the above stuff isn't really very accurate.
Dshenberger wrote:but that does not alter the fact that the manufacturers label them (and sell) as such.
No they can't, that would be illegal in most countries under trade descriptions legislation, they can suggest they're Race style or similar. Anything that went as far as "the same ski used on the world cup circuit" would be misleading.
Dshenberger wrote:And, I would venture a guess that many non-sponsored racers do, indeed, use them. :) For example, we had a GS race at the resort where I work. And guess what? I saw a many guys with GS9's, 10's and 11's.
No they can't do that, you can compete in a amateur club race or similar but as soon as it's a full FIS race with points you have to use real skis. GS9-10-11 are not FIS homologated.
All of which drifts from the first question, they're great skis and at those prices well worth a go. For me I prefer something more slalom, or technical, orientated but that's just my choice.