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THE
NEW SKI
ON THE
BLOCK
The new Kawasaki was a main and
contentious talking point at the season
openers’, the view of Norwegian rider
Stian Schjetlein who runs a ProForce is
that “right now it is a development Ski
that non-Kawasaki riders can manage.”
But is it a must have item? Is it case of
staying with ‘the Force or biting the
Bullett?’ “It is a game changer for sure.
The Kawasaki is heavier, has a longer hull
and a big engine. It changes everything.
It’s very easy to ride and it will enable
riders normally in and around tenth place
to be fighting for a podium. It’s a simple
scenario. The older hulls need to evolve
to be able to compete.
“I don’t think it is the right direction to go
because we are now one step closer to
Runabout with hulls weighing nearly the
same. Stand up should not be the same as
Runabout but it looks like we are taking
that step.
“If you look at some of the current Skis we
are running, Bullett, ProForce, K1s the
all-important performance parts, after-
market parts have been out and available
for several years. The new Kawasaki does
not currently have this [advantage]. There
are one or two manufacturers making
parts but the Ski is just six months into
production so they are not as developed
or tested in this area. They are not behind
us, because as it is they can keep the same
speed as the older hulls.
“The Ski is good in all conditions but it
excels in the big sea waves because of the
weight and the extra-long nose piece. If
you look at the distance from the handle
pole brackets to the end of the Ski it’s
about the same [as ours] but in the front
they have a big extra piece. That gives the
advantage in the big waves and riders
don’t have to think about subbing and it
also carries through the waves better
because of weight.”
The Jury remains undecided!
But after the opening rounds; heat wins,
Bullett 3 Kawasaki 3 ProForce 2 – Grand
Prix wins, Bullett 3 Kawasaki 1..and all
Porets!!
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