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RistoThe stars of the Pro Slalom Shootout discuss their not-so-secret weapons of choice. But some of the real stars of the week were the skis they came riding in on and the gear they used.
Connelly F1
Sizes: 65″, 66″, 67″, 68″, 70″
Price: $649.99 (blank)
connellyskis.com
“This ski rides deeper in the water. I can trust it 100 percent because I know it's not going to skip out. It's not as light as other skis, and that's how I like it. It's a ski that turns hard and holds the angle. You can turn it as hard as you want, and whatever you get, it's going to hold it. I feel like that creates speed for me.”
— Terry Winter
Second place (tie), Cold 39
Third place, 38-Off Spin It to Win It
O'Brien Sixam
Sizes: 67.5″, 69″
Price: $799.99 (blank)
obrien.com
“O'Brien is now the first ski company that's not going exclusively scale in between the lengths of the skis. Subtle differences were made, considering finer points of turning radius and general skier weights in each category. The 67.5-inch is slightly wider than its predecessor, and the rockers are a little bit flatter. What we've got is a ski that is quicker yet carves arcs rather than pivots. It's got speed that's competitive with anything out there and a feel that's unsurpassed.”
— Drew Ross
Top 12, Men's Traditional Slalom
Team Malibu competitor, Team Challenge
HO Monza
Sizes: 63.5″, 65″, 66″, 67″, 68″, 69.5″
Price: $900 (blank)
hosports.com
“I'm on the 67-inch Monza, and I like the placement of the flat spot on the ski because it creates a nice base for power and stability through the turns. Also, it's a super-light ski, which gives it a lot of cross-course speed and efficiency. That's one thing I really like — the speed and freedom it gives me before the buoy to do what I want.”
— Will Asher
Team Malibu competitor, Team Challenge
Goode 9800
Sizes: 62″, 64″, 65.5″, 66.25″, 67″, 69″
Price: $990 (blank)
goode.com
“It's different from the other models because it's longer and wider up at the top, and it's a light ski, which I like. It's a little bit stiffer than the [9700], so it gets wide in the turn pretty well. Hopefully, once I adjust my fin a little bit, it's going to allow me to get a little bit wider on shortest rope and improve my 39½- and 41-off passes.”
— Thomas Degasperi
Fourth place, Men's Open Slalom
Team Challenge competitor, Team Malibu
Headzone
Sizes: S, M, ML, L, XL
Price: $500
headzone.com
“Headzone means my students learn 30-50% faster! The benefits are huge for students in terms of reaching their goals. They also save time and that means money. With Headzone you get so much information across. The system is extremely light and reliable. And when one athlete is on the water the whole team of students can listen in and learn.”
— Jodi Fisher
Professional Ski Coach
World Cup Champion 2005 & 2006
