EpicSki  ›  The Barking Bear Forums  ›  Skiing Forums  ›  Ski Gear Discussion  ›  Race stock vs stock skis for an amateur
Forum Nav More Forums | All New Posts | New Thread

Race stock vs stock skis for an amateur

#1
Rating: 0
10/14/09 at 1:27pm
  • Joined: October 2009
  • Post Count: 3
Hi,

I know you have enough of stock vs race stock questions, but this time it's different.
Actually, my father is buying new skis this year. He is 6"1', 187 lbs and he is an amateur; he races in amateur competitions from time to time. I'd say he is over-average, not awesome, but pretty good. I think sl skis (idk which length) would be good for him because he doesn't make giant turns, rather something between sl and gs. (groomed slopes only).

Of course, I know that race stock skis (not FIS-legal, the 'easier' ones) are meant for racers, but I race and although I'm not even close to the best guys in my country, riding on stock skis feels like riding on two pieces of plastic to me.

So, my question is, are race stock skis (like Volkl or Head, not Atomic because they're too stiff) just skis without the sophisticated look - all those useless bars, surfaces etc. (which are advertised to do everything but do nothing) but with real insides (wooden cores) - or are they really too stiff and too tough to ride for an amateur?

Thanks,
Michael
Export to Wiki
#2
Rating: 0
10/15/09 at 10:01am
  • Joined: July 2002
  • Location: MA
  • Post Count: 681
Hi Michael,

While there is confusion over the terminology (particularly the word "Stock"), it seems that most of us here have settled on these terms to differentiate race skis:

"Race Stock", or its simplified form "Stock" is used to refer to the the skis manufactured for FIS, USSA, collegiate racers and the like.  (Note that in this case "Stock" is not meant to mean un-modified or un-altered.)  They comply to whatever FIS dimension rules were in effect when they were manufactured, and typically have radically different construction than the skis available to the general public.  Manufacturers typically do not list these in their "general public" brochures or web sites.  These skis are usually quite a bit more demanding and unforgiving to ski, but are certainly manageable by high-end aggressive skiers. Many of these skis carry the name "FIS" in the name, but there is no convention. (Caveat: Recently most manufacturers have begun making a limited number of these skis available to the general public at selected high-end race shops.) 

"Race" is the term typically used for the race skis manufactured for the general public, and shown in their brochures and websites.  They generally are softer and have a smaller radius, making them easier to handle.  These skis may have the same name as the "Race Stock" skis without the term "FIS".

"Recreational Race"; some reviewers and manufacturers use this term to refer to a model that is even a little tamer than the "Race" version, but still adequate for citizen racing, and more appropriate in a course for many because of an even smaller radius. 

All of the above typically come in SL (slalom) and GS models.

You do not say what type of racing your father may do, but my guess would be that a recreational GS would be the best match for him.  The radius of a typical Recreational Race GS is @ 16m -20m - right between FIS SL and and FIS GS radius.

Export to Wiki
#3
Rating: 0
10/15/09 at 10:19am
  • Joined: February 2003
  • Post Count: 2,117
I'm with NE1. This type of ski is sometimes marketed as a "recreational racing" ski, a "cheater GS" ski, a "race carver" or even (sometimes, for no really obvious reason I can figure out) a "skiercross" ski.

It does, of course, depend on what sort of "amateur competions" he is racing in. The NCAA championships are an amateur competition, and the majority (if not all) of the racers in even fairly high-end FIS races are amateurs (whether they want to be or not).

The recommendation above would be just about right for beer league races up to Masters GSs (on the feet of an averageish Masters racer).
Export to Wiki
#4
Rating: 0
10/15/09 at 11:14am
  • Joined: October 2009
  • Post Count: 3
Thanks for your replies.
Sorry for misusing those terms, of course I meant 'race stock' vs 'race' skis. I use race stock Fischers and I love them, my father has Volkl recreational racing skis (P60 slalom carver, ca. 170cm I think) and he doesn't like them, that's why I wanted to ask if race stock skis are better in general or are they really made for different purposes (for top notch skiers) than race skis.
My father is not even close to high-end FIS racers, he is an amateur mostly racing in for instance some local ski resort competitions, fun family races or 'doctors' winter olympic games', which are easier races for guys who have never actually trained (although my father is good friends with my coach and he also rides under his supervision), who don't have 10 pairs of skis and usually don't have race suits, because I don't know how else I could describe that :) Stuff like that :D
Export to Wiki
Forum Nav More Forums | All New Posts | New Thread