Don't listen to Matt K.  Waxes, schmaxes - it's not the World Cup. 
Tuned skis, yes.  Cera F or whatever - ridiculous overkill.  Use the
cheapest wax you can find.

If Sally Knight, since I raced with her and her brother years ago,
says much that is different than what I've said - I'd be surprised.


On 9/1/05, Matthew Kulas <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 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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