What is the right SL and GS for my 3rd year J5
Question
HELLO,
SO I am struggling with what is the right ski for my 3rd year J5. He has been on Skis since he was 2 and is now 10. He has been racing in NH ( USSA rules) for 5 years. He is a technician with incredible form and technique as his coaches tell me and I witness...he is an excellent Student and picks up and puts into practice what his coaches teach. He presently skis a Voykl Race Tiger SL ski which he has been using for GS as well. Last year at the end of the season he tried out a GS ski. My Issues is he is all of 62 lbs and about 4'2". I am told he needs a GS and SL ski this year which I am fine with
At the end of the season he tried out the Vokyl RaceTiger GS ski as well as a Rossignol JR GS ski. I have heard from coaches etc that the Vokyl GS would be too stiff for him because of his weight.
Of the 2 GS ski he skied last year..he loved the Vokyl. I watched and he could bend them and get out over them once up top speed, he can lay right over on them. He did well with the Rossi also but said he felt best on the Vokyl. What do I do?
He is aggressive and on a "turny" course he usually excels over the larger heavier kids....on the straight type GS/SL course he is at a disadvantage because of hie weight. I am not locked into any brand all I am looking for is good advice on what would be the best SL and GS skis for him with his size and ability
PLEASE help
Best
John
Answer
Hey John,
It's hard to give advice on what ski will be 'best'. You have given a great description of your young skier and you have done the right thing by having him try out different skis designed for the same purpose. I understand the coaches advice but they aren't the ones doing the skiing. You can get advice and read specs all day but it all comes down to what works 'best' for the particular skier.
I would say that if your son feels better on the Vokyl, then go for the Vokyl. As for a SL ski, try to do the same as you did with the GS skis. Let him try as many as he can and decide which works best for him.
As for weight on the straighter courses, do the rules allow for a weight vest? Adding 8-10 lbs might make a difference in his speed.
Hope this helps.
Keep on skiing,
Windlover
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