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“Good tuning gives you the extra edge and confidence to go just that little bit faster...”
Claudia Riegler - multi world cup slalom gold medalist and triple Olympian. |
Review by Jenny McLeod – Freelance Writer and Masters Skier, Queenstown.
 Staying in Tune is a practical guide to ski and snowboard tuning offering a user friendly approach for recreational skiers and snowboarders.
Author Jim Mutch who is a certified Direct Parallel Ski Instructor, a passionate all-mountain and all-terrain skier, and more latterly a gold medal winning Masters ski racer, has carried out in-depth research into tuning snowsports equipment.
The result is Staying in Tune which is a straightforward, easy to follow guide based on expert advice from professional ski tuners, manufacturers, ski coaches and racers.
The book is designed for recreational skiers and boarders to tune their equipment in tandem with professional tuning services. It is not intended to replace the professional tune, but identifies the best way to keep gear in good condition between pro tunes.
Mutch recommends three different tuning levels each requiring a different investment in time and money.
Level one is for 'minimalists' who only need a cheap flat sharpening stone, rather than an expensive diamond stone, and a strong piece of rubber. Levels two and three are for 'artisans' and 'aficionados' who want to undertake more advanced tuning and will need to be more committed to the job.
Detailed advice about tuning techniques for modern equipment is concisely and clearly laid out. Mutch makes the important distinction between old and new - old style skis had flat base edges while carving skis have bevelled base edges which need different tuning treatment.
The guide is well illustrated with useful diagrams and New Zealand World Cup slalom skier and Olympic representative Claudia Riegler features prominently adding more credibility. She appears in a series of quality skiing photographs which highlight the benefits of good ski tuning. Her comment 'Stay in Tune! You'll look better and feel better' is an appropriate endorsement for the publication.
Jim Mutch's manual is long overdue for the 'do it yourself' enthusiasts. He provides all the answers for good, long term maintenance of skis and snowboards for recreational use. It is the ideal guide for anyone who makes the mountains their playground.
“It took me years to accumulate the information Jim has packed into this little manual: years of reading, interrogating racers and coaches, and experimenting for myself. Here it is - all laid out in clear and simple prose, with illustrations that make it easy to follow. If you want to make your skiing/boarding days a delight, then follow Jim"s advice. Learn how to tune and wax your skis or boards for yourself. And save money in the process!”
--Professor Ray Bradley - over 60 medals in national, international and world championship masters racing including three Golds in world championship Super-G.
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Ray Bradley at age 74
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“For all you ski tuning junkies, this book is the fix.
James Mutch is the guru of ski tuning!”
Carrie Stiegler, Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Former Ski School Director, Race Coach and Sports Writer.
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