So what happens next? Is 2 at 43 the final limit?

Horton

Last year at Soaked, T-Gas and Smith both ran 41 off at 34 MPH 4 or 5 times each (4 ball course). When they got to 43 neither of them could get out of 2 ball. They both got 1 or 1 ½ at 43. The assumption is that the boat needs to go a little faster for them to get any farther at 43.

At 36 MPH CP, Asher, JT and Smith have all run 41 at least twice in the last 12 months (I think) but no one can past 1 ½ at 43.

Is there a perfect speed between 36 and 34 that is needed to get to 3 ball?

Horton

It would be interesting to tell the pros they can pick their speed ... any speed

estrom

Picking their own speed is an interesting thought. I'm guessing it would eliminate the variable of the size/strength of each skier? Without thinking about it much, that actually sounds like a better suggestion than eliminating gates since gates signify the start of the course, much like a tee box in golf. "Things that make you go hhhmmmmmm......."

The_MS

Nobody will touch 3 this year or next.

Horton

@scotchipman I just texted CP and told him to stop screwing around

disland

Come on they used to say 41 was impossible. Now it gets taken down at every tournament, in florida at least. Once they get more focused on it it will happen.

ForrestGump

CP will get to 3 this year.

Horton

I was sure Smith would do it last year

Drago

I think it will happen eventually. The guys who visit 2 more than once a summer will figure out how to turn it

MattP

@Horton Smith is finally on a new ski.
I think CP JT Asher and Smith all have a shot. Only have to up it by a 1/4 to start.

Skoot1123

Like 41 being skied this past year, I think 3 or more at 43 will fall this year too. However, it has to be the "right" boat. Once it starts happening more often in tournaments, then we'll see the trend pick up, just like we have with 41.

Than_Bogan

I am not buying the magic speed theory. With properly tuned equipment and timing, I'd bet those top pros would go deeper at 34/-43.

But also, -43 is a HUGE jump. All of my (flawed in various ways) analyses have suggested the same thing: -43 is "off the trend line" in terms of the jump in things like angle, acceleration, force loads, etc. When you get that short, a half meter is an awful lot to take away!

So I think "we" will be stuck working on -43 for quite a while yet, even with all the technological advancement that seems to be happening right now.

But certainly it's not impossible, so somebody will run it someday!

Doug

The record will fall this year 3 more 41s ran today in Florida at Mccormick's Will,CP and John Travers to many 41s already in the books for 2013

I am saying 3 1/4 this year
we shall see

Horton

@Doug 3 1/4? I will take that bet. I will believe 2 1/2

doonez

I can't remember where I read it but I'm pretty sure Nate or his coach said Nate had got round four ball at 34 In practice sometime. It may have been in the article on Nate in the waterskimag recently

Texas6

@Horton, it may be time for a wager on whether or not it goes down this year. I'm in and taking the under, I believe we see 3 ball rounded

danspence

If I remember correctly I do believe I read an article on here about AM skis and how CP and Andy both train there. When asked what the course recored was they said it was somewhere past the WR. I think that someone will get 3 this year but obviously everything has to be right.

The_MS

@Than is right.

aswinter05

Scott Tynan says he's seen Nate run 4 @ 43' off (34 mph). @horton , I'd say that perfect speed for Nate is somewhere close to 34mph.
http://waterskimag.com/features/2013/03/04/nate-smith-the-natural/3/

mwetskier

way back at the time it was decided to use half meter cuts after 38 off i bet no one ever thought it would go much past 39 1/2 off

Horton

@mwetski
36 1/2 off is a hell of a lot easier than 38

DooSPX

I also believe CP, Nate or T-Gas will make it back to the wake off 3 ball soon. Having it be this year... Maybe....

Jody_Seal

How about adding 6 buoy's opposite from the existing 6. Right hand slalom entrance!
That would change things up some.

A_B

Amen Jody. I would have loved to have 5-ball be my onside turn about a zillion times!

Razorskier1

@OB -- gonna have to make it to ATL now -- you didn't tell me you have magic water! Now, about that knee . . .

Edbrazil

I've heard of someone mistakenly putting in a left-hand SL course, back many years. Maybe they got a mirrored copy of the Rules.

HOWEVER, Chet Raley does have a left-hand SL course, along with his 2 right-hand courses. At one time, he was talking about a tournament where one of your rounds had to be run lefty. Maybe some people who've tried it have some comments. From what little I know, it takes a good while to get used to it. Chet's ski school operation is in Florida, near Boca Raton.

Of course, I've been curious since 2005 to see what a top pro skier could do with the narrowed course seen for one notorious skier at the Malibu Open that year. Was about 2 1/2 feet narrow on each side, or about 0.75m.

Drago

Ed, I'd think, looking at how drM skied, it's good for a full pass at 44 1/2, and a maybe 46 off.

matthewbrown

Not sure how many times we need to revisit this discussion but if the boat drives straight as an arrow, no one will get past a full 2 buoys.....if the boat path gets the max out of the tolerance and the rope too, on a perfect site with perfect conditions, then we may see 2 1/4 or possibly a half but no way no how with everything dead nuts on.....Parrish is the best bet for a piece of 3 b/c of his length

Edbrazil

Or, another Robert Wadlow comes along and takes a liking to water skiing. He was 2 1/2 feet taller than Chris Parrish is. Even maybe just a Manute Bol or Yao Ming.

Horton

@matthewbrown I wondered how long it would take for you to chime in.

liquid d

Parrish is the only one with the height to make 3. College teams should start recruiting from their basketball teams...