need hints on skiing position on Podium

[Age Fighter]

Normally I ski a Maja ski, which is a great piece of wood and really quick for a large ski. At 6-3 and 210 pounds, I need a large ski.

Tried out a new O Brien podium yesterday, and a couple of things I need help on:

A: I got a lot of spray from my ski. Should I change my position? I upped the speed from 32-34 and that maybe helped a tiny bit.

B: it was exhausting compared to skiing on the maja. Any hints?

C: starts were a bit tougher than a maja -- which makes sense based on size. I used a quicker throttle on the Podium and that seemed to help. I assume that makes sense.

Thanks. I am a free skier and not that great -- did not start til I was 46.

[jconover]

I can only answer A from my own experience, not being familiar with your skis. I spent a year skiing with spray at 32.5 mph, and found out when I went to 34 that all the spray went away. Given your height and weight, i'd think 34 would be sufficient -- is that GPS or speedo? I'd try pushing your speed another mph or so. it takes some getting used to faster speeds, but I find the spray problem completely goes away

Also on tired -- the faster speed really took the wind out of my sails -- you get used to it though, and condition for it. I think it is just about managing your energy expenditure differently... dunno if that makes sense... basically, training at that speed builds stamina at that speed.

[jconover]

Another thought: can you adjust your binding placements at all?

[Age Fighter]

Originally Posted by jconover

Another thought: can you adjust your binding placements at all?

Thanks for feedback -- and yes I believe I can adjust -- which is why I wanted to know if I should move up, or back, on the ski.

As for the speeds---we have GPS speed. I saw little difference in the spray at 32 versus 34. Then again, the water conditions were sloppy so I never did get any kind of long run through glass and could never get in any kind of groove.

As for the ski's -- the maja is longer and is equally wide from stem to stern.
The Podium is a little wider near the front foot boot but narrower aft of that and shorter over all as well than the maja.

[ski_king]

I bought a Obrien Mapple a few years ago (not sure if the Mapple was renamed the Podium or not) and found it took a lot of fine tuning with the binding locations and fin settings to get it to ski the way I wanted. It does take more effort to ski and it will tire you out sooner, especially if it is not setup correctly.

I also have a few old woody Mahas, fun and forgiving to ski on. I even ran mine thru the course a few times.

I dont have problems with spray at any speed, but I am about 50 or so pounds lighter.

[TX.X-30 fan]

Originally Posted by ski_king

I bought a Obrien Mapple a few years ago (not sure if the Mapple was renamed the Podium or not) and found it took a lot of fine tuning with the binding locations and fin settings to get it to ski the way I wanted. It does take more effort to ski and it will tire you out sooner, especially if it is not setup correctly.

I also have a few old woody Mahas, fun and forgiving to ski on. I even ran mine thru the course a few times.

I dont have problems with spray at any speed, but I am about 50 or so pounds lighter.

6'3" and 160 is light.........

[Age Fighter]

Originally Posted by ski_king

I bought a Obrien Mapple a few years ago (not sure if the Mapple was renamed the Podium or not) and found it took a lot of fine tuning with the binding locations and fin settings to get it to ski the way I wanted. It does take more effort to ski and it will tire you out sooner, especially if it is not setup correctly.

I also have a few old woody Mahas, fun and forgiving to ski on. I even ran mine thru the course a few times.

I dont have problems with spray at any speed, but I am about 50 or so pounds lighter.

Thanks -
I would not think the Podium is the Mapple -- not sure, but I would think the Mapple would have been a more advanced ski than the Podium. Having said that, the comments about fatigue, bindings, etc are probably all true.

And yes, the maha's are fun skis and very nimble for their size I think. Stunning looking too.

[ski_king]

Originally Posted by TX.X-30 fan

[/b]



6'3" and 160 is light.........

I should have added 5'9, 160#

[jconover]

I am right at your weight, Age, and I do share your spray problems - -I ski an O'Brien Siege 68 right now. I have the added challenge of supporting two other guys that are 70 lbs lighter than I, since we ski together. I could do some measurements for what it is worth, if you want to try some different settings.

[ski_king]

You may want to take a look at the Obrien Sequence. I believe this replaced the Syncro. I also have one of those and I love that ski. You can ski it as agressive as you want and it is still forgiving.

My Mapple dosn't get used much since I found out how nice the ski rides. Plus it is a little wider and easier to get up on.