I think some of you have missed my point. I am the first to say that Line has helped groom some of the best riders in the world. Mike Nick and Wilson and Skogan have helped make the sport what it is today, but from my understanding Mike N has pretty much stepped back to focus on Siver and Wilson and Skogan are no longer skiing Line. That leaves Dash, Bibby and Pollard. Dash and Bibby are amazing skiers, but are they really up there with the best? Pollard is for sure, but doesnt compete.
I think that competitions are essential. They provide free publicity to any of the sponsors across the world and give them the opportunity to let everyone know that they sponsor a champ. For anyone who suggests that Line deliberately avoid comps to stay underground, I wonder what Jay would say if you offered one of his skiers 1st place in X Games...after all, he's running a business.
I also think comps are important for the people like me that ride the product. As a Line rider I feel an affinity for the company, and i want to see people in comps riding the same skis as me...No matter how gay it sounds, I would be stoked if the X Games champ used the same skis as me and I think in a stupid way I'd be proud too. Im sure im not the only one who thinks like this (at least i hope so!)
I think that one of the reasons why Line is taking off so well here in the UK is because they have undoubtedly the best team in the UK, if not in the whole of Europe. Line is dominating competitions across the continent, and people who would previously only ever ride Salomon or Dynastar or whatever are starting to sit up and take notice because they're hearing about Line winning comps all over the place.
Anyway, I basically just wanted to say that Line has had some of the best riders ever, but what about now, even if you dont think comps are important Line only has 3 or 4 big current skiers that I can think of, Longe, Pollard and Bibby adn maybe Coker? Whoever said about Armada is right...they got straight in and grabbed a whole bunch of great skiers, and look how quickly its grown as a company. Line, despite having been around for years longer, has, in my view, been left struggling to stay ahead of Armada, if has any lead left on it all.
Sorry for the ramble.
Rich