This!. If your plan is to ski Masters sets which are 23--27, as opposed to typically 18-20m (isa) beer league stuff you really are better on a proper GS ski 23ish m . The problem with going to a small radius one is that it is more for short term gratification at the expense of longer term race skilsl development. It typically leads to running straight at gates and relying on skidding the ski which becomes an even harder habit to break when you basically plateau for speed and have to change (as well as having less stability when you get some real speed up and creates the risk of it hooking up suddenly and throwing you).
To get faster and ski GS well then requires taking a step backwards again to relearn skills and tactics. The most common issue I see with new racers struggling with a real GS ski is technique issues - not getting much angles and insufficient separation of the skis to provide a platform that will allow you to develop the angles needed to pressure and bend the ski. With the shorter radius you simply ride the sidecut.
Also lengthwise, especially at your height, I would definitely avoid going below 180. this simply exacerbates the problem as now you not only ride the sidecut you skid the ski because there is not enough length to really carve it in gates, PeRsonally I would have pointed you at the U16 ski given your weight. People get hung up on the radius being too big when in reality the flex pattern is much more important. I also didn't see what boot you were in. If it is not enough boot you will struggle with a GS ski. The 188/30 is a great ski but does take a certain level of technical skill to make it work in gates, I do not normally recommend it as the first ski for a new athlete.
I see your update that you got the head iSpeed. Not too terrible a choice for a starting point (and really glad you didn't get the 175!) but if your progression path is planned towards Masters, work on growing out of it.
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Hi Scott, I need some advice. I just moved to Park City Area. I am 48 years young. 185 lbs 5' 11". No real race training in my past but love speed and ski quite aggressively. Want to sign up for Master's training next winter - not the entire season but just 5 days to get primed up - maybe 2021 I will go for the whole season if I enjoy it. Will also practice a lot on NASTAR. Right now, I only have one pair of skis. New Stockli Stormrider 95. I have a deposit down on the upcoming Stockli WRT-ST 180 ... cross ski ... I think the radius is around 17 but supposed to be as stable as a GS ski. After reading your threads I am getting the feeling I should change my order to Laser GS with radius closer to 20. I really wanted to start with ultimate cheater ski! You broke my heart! lol Please advise. btw I love Stockli products. Thanks, Peter
