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need binding advice for girls slalom ski- fixed or plate?


davemac

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Is there a general consensus on women's rear binding (boot vs. toe plate)? I need to pick up a slalom ski for my nine year old who just learned to slalom and is advancing rapidly/starting to cut (she refused to drop, and learned the deep water start in just a couple days....kudos to the slalom "training handles") Currently getting up w/ both feet in...using a borrowed 62" Connelly Course (10 yrs old) w/ rear toe plate.

She's built more like a 14 yr old (5 ft, 105lbs), so I'm looking at a 63 or 64" ski (leaning towards HO Esprit). Just can't decide whether to stick w/ a toe plate or go w/ a fixed boot. Any advice or rule of thumb to follow w/ this decision?? Personally (as a 40yr old has-been adv rec skier) I could never transition to the fixed boot, and continue to use a toe plate.

Thanks, in advance.

Dave

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Just got back from the Malibu Open and out of the top 4 women it was 50-50. Let her try both before making a decision. If possible let try a couple of different skis too.

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If she already gets up with both feet in, buy a rear boot.

I would agree with this. My kids 9 and 10 both get up with one foot in so obviously they are skiing with a RTP.

My kids are pretty big and I got them a used HO Odyssey which is the 63" version of the Competitive Freeride series. I think the added width helps at slower speeds as they learn the course. If I didn't find the HO I bought I was looking at an O'Brien Synchro which also comes in 63".

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Two years ago my 16 year old pulled a hamstring getting up one week before here high school soccer tryouts. She'd been skiing all summer so not sure what went wrong on that pull. Since then, she's switched to double boots and loves it. Recently, I asked my three older girls what setup to get for their youngest sister, who's ten. They all immediately responded with the double boot option. All three of them had started with the RTP but now prefer DB's. My oldest because of less injury risk; the other two like it better from the skiing aspect.

The risk on a RTP is that the back foot can come out easily on a bad fall while the front stays, allowing the ski to put rotational tourque on just one leg. With the double boots, they tend to either remain completely in the boots or come completely out. So, as a Dad, I feel better seeing them in the DB setup.

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Follow up...just order a 2007 HO Esprit from Wileys. There isn't much opportunity to demo things here in the Northeast. My daughter really wants to try double boot, so I ordered accordingly. If she doesn't like it, I will unload it on ebay or ski it again, and replace w/ a RTP.

Thanks for responses.

Dave

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The advice we were given at our local shop was double boot for the girls, RTP for the boys. Something about girls' center of gravity :unsure: making the DB easier for them. My almost 16 y/o loves her Odyssey, even though she's outgrown in a bit. Too bad we couldn't make a deal on it for you, Dave. Home isn't that far from you in central MA. The boat is in NH...

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Dave,

Where do you live and ski? I am in MA as well.

Currently living over by Newburyport (occassionally boat on Lake Attitash), but looks like moving to Windham NH. Most of boating/skiing done on Squam Lk (NH).

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Dave,

Where do you live and ski? I am in MA as well.

Currently living over by Newburyport (occassionally boat on Lake Attitash), but looks like moving to Windham NH. Most of boating/skiing done on Squam Lk (NH).

Squam, eh? Big or little? The course is near a fine watering hole, commonly referred to a Walter's Basin. Cheers.gifBeer.gif We're around the corner in Center Harbor on Winni most weekends. PM for the rest of the story...

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