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WATERSKI Magazine
Q&A with Chris Rossi
Pro skier Chris Rossi has been busy since signing with Tige this past year. His tournament schedule earned him a second-place tie at the 2003 U.S. Open, second place at the 2003 Princess Pro Am in England, and second-place in the open division at the 2003 U.S. Nationals. Add to that his duties as an instructor at the Ski Tech training center near Orlando, Florida, and you've got one busy man.
What boat are you driving and why?
I have the 2004 Tige Switch i. Tige is an established company who has a very good sense of what the market wants. The boat is a total package. A great adjustable slalom wake, a strong engine, it drives straight down the course with almost no countersteer, no spray; it's roomy, the driver's seat swivels, it has everything I want in a boat and my skiers rip behind it.
We hear a lot about the ConvexV hull and TAPS2 technology. What kind of wakes do they deliver?
When you first see the boat, you realize that this is no small boat. It's hard to believe, but with the technology put into the boat, the wakes are surprisingly small. The TAPS is no joke. I believe more companies will try to utilize this technology in the future. The very first time I tried the boat, I ran 39 off with ease. It's solid.
What's new about the TAPS system this year?
The TAPS has been reengineered with more surface area and expanded the range of motion. This makes both a better slalom wake and a better wakeboard wake.
Tige has an impressive, and successful, roster of team riders. What is Tige's commitment to the sport?
Tige's main focus is promoting the fun in water sports. Through water sports, people develop a love for being on the water, many friendships are made along the way, many challenges are overcome, and most importantly, many memories that will last a lifetime are all being created with Tige Boats.
What should people be looking for when they go to the dealer?
The biggest thing to consider is what you are going to use the boat for. It's like buying a car: If you need something to fit the entire family, don't go buy a Corvette! Think of who will be using the boat, what type of water sports will you be doing, where you will be using the boat, and what your price range is.
Do you have students at Ski Tech who go away lusting after your Tige?
Yes! Last week I sold two boats. My students are finding out what I already know: The Tige Switch i is a boat that does it all.
Anything else exciting happening for you or for Tige?
The Switch i is brand-new for 2004 and is on display at my center in
Orlando, Florida. It fits very nicely into my new dock, which is on three man-made private ski lakes. For me, I'm taking a snow-ski vacation coming up here soon. That's going to be real exciting!
