Peter,

The right answer is to talk with Sally (MadVail's head coach) and ask
her what she thinks about the neccessity of race skis.

TOS is right, it will make a difference.  However, if you're they
penny pincher we all know you to be--you get your kids yttihs gear so
that you can afford courtside seats in Arthur Ashe and the daily tips
for the sreppirts--then Sally will be able to give you an idea on
whether or not your going to have to buy nosebleed seats and give up
the pal secnad starting this year instead of three years from now when
she becomes a J4.

The question isn't whether she needs new skis, rather how much extra
will it cost to get a descent set of kiddie race skis and will it be
worth the benefits.  Again, Sally should be able to answer this
question best.

Dana, John Cr., TOS and Ben K. are all wrong.  The most important
thing is not great fitting boots--yes, decent fitting and flexing
boots are important--but SHARP skis ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT thing.  You
can start simply, but you should get a basic tuning setup and learn
how to tune your kids skis.  Do it on a weekly basis.  Not only will
this make your job easier, but your daughter will have a much better
experience.

Wax your kids skis every time you tune and for race day, use a
flourinated wax (not Swix Cera F, but maybe Swix HF).  Tell your kid
you are using a super-fast flouro wax.  Before each run, brush out her
skis and rub on some F4 (if her coach doesn't already).  When the kids
think that they're skis are getting World Cup level treatment, they'll
be all that more confident.

Your tuning needs can be found here:
https://www.artechski.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?

Ideally, your daughter would free ski on another pair of the same ski
that she races on.  Otherwise, though it will make tuning more work,
she should ski on her race skis.  The better she knows the feel of her
skis, the easier racing in a course will be.  Muscle memory.  If she's
switching between different types of skis she won't learn the feel of
either ski as well.

Summary: I would say that if you can find a pair of kiddy race skis in
good shape for a decent price, that would be the route to go, but TALK
WITH SALLY FIRST and get her opinion.

--Matt K.

On 8/30/05, Peter Salts <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> Looks like my 8 yo daughter will be joining the MRG junior race team this
> coming season.  I am contemplating upgrading her equipment but am looking
> for some list advice.  I purchased a pair of run of the mill straight kids
> skis for $10 3 summers ago: K2 stingers.  I mounted them with Look bindings
> and she has been skiing well so far.  Will newer skis dramatically improve
> her skiing?  Will she need a race ski at this age? 
>   
> TIA 
>   
> PS

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