Here's a first test report of my new Volkl Racetiger racing skis after two full days on them on Wednesday and Friday:
- super quick and responsive in dynamic short SL style turns;
- still stable at high speed in GS style wider turns;
- pretty stiff, grip on packed snow like no other skis;
- the Tyrolia race plates I mounted on them are great at absorbing vibrations.
You better stay focused or these skis will quickly send you off course. Race stock slalom skis are not for relaxed casual cruising, but they're really fun!
After two days of free skiing and drills to practice putting the skis on edge and find the perfect clean carved turn (carving is the modern ski technique that allows you to turn without skidding and losing speed) I'm ready for the next step: practice with slalom gates. The physical preparation I did the last few weeks also paid off as I was able to progressively increase speed and draw arc curves almost all day without getting too tired.
I will be back in Tahoe next Saturday! and really hope to to run slalom gates this time. I want to practice a few more tricks next week:
- early turn initiation / early edge engagement (when you tilt the ski edges earlier to engage from one turn to the next);
- loading a little more weight on the inside ski to really carve with both skis; that one is not so easy for me as a classic/old-school skier used to put all the weight on the outside ski; I almost got into trouble -- flying off course :) -- when I tried that on Friday afternoon.
I'm also hoping that Squaw will open more runs, to be able to go full speed, away from the snowboarding crowds and obstacles... The first races are coming soon in December!
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