2020 HO Syndicate Alpha slalom ski.
The Syndicate Alpha was one of HO’s two top of the line models in 2019 and 2020. It’s design came from the HO ski design brain trust (including water skiing legend/design guru Bob LaPoint). This team realized that because skiers have different styles, no one ski can ever satisfy all skiers. So, the Syndicate philosophy has always been to offer multiple models to satisfy different skiing styles. This Syndicate Alpha design is the perfect “yin” to the “yang” of the HO Syndicate Pro.
For a top performance ski, the Alpha is quite easy to ski on, with a very friendly mix of lower drag and “turn on a dime”. It accelerates incredibly well out of the turn and through the wakes. It is also very forgiving of different body positions, allowing you to ski the way you ski, and not have to learn to ski how the ski needs you to ski.
So, why choose the Alpha over the Pro? They share the same outline shape, and the same rocker line. But, they ski very differently because of two main design elements incorporated into the Alpha. (1) A shallower, lower volume concave from under the back foot to the end of the tail traps less water, and creates less drag. The ski rides higher in the water, and allows for more “drift/wash” of the tail at the end of the turn. This allows the turn to be very tight, with less need for the ski to slow down as much. And, (2) a flatter concave with slightly less rocker under the front foot creates a stability platform that allows the front of the ski to be pressured more going into the turn, for those who like to use their body to engage the shovel at the beginning of the turn.
The end result of the Alpha’s innovative “new school” shape is that the ski needs to be slowed down less, the line stays very tight at the end of the turn, and acceleration out of the turn and through the wakes requires less effort from the skier. Tight turns, tight line, easier acceleration with less pulling effort all result in a ski that is easy to ski and more forgiving of different technique. Ski longer, with less fatigue, longer ski sets.
Like all Syndicate models the build of this ski starts with a super precise, CNC machined PVC core. The result is a super consistent build from one ski to the next; each ski performs exactly as its design is intended. Also, PVC stores energy very well to maximize responsiveness from edge to edge, and is also incredibly light. The layup around the core is 100% carbon graphite (no fiberglass). Graphite is incredibly light, but perhaps more importantly, it returns immediately to its natural shape once turning pressure is released. This means faster acceleration, and more angle to the wake.
Other cool features include:
• 100% handmade in the USA
• Syndicate adjustable fin system with aluminum wing.
• Accepts either standard HO plate binding pattern, or Direct Connect Max series boots
• Carbon Speedskin base improves laminar water flow for reduced drag
