The only reason I am a Blossom dealer is that many of my clients have been hooked by the "feel".
So now we have it! Sorry Brian, would have been much more honest if you had disclosed this up front! As is well known here I am an Augment ambassador (as can be seen on the website
https://augmentskisna.com/collections/master-pro-giant-slalom-skis). And as is also obvious from my helmet decals.
It is also well known here that I am NOT on them or promoting them just because of a "Bro" deal. I tested them when I was having huge issues with Rossi and found Augment to be head and shoulders above every other race ski that was normally accessible to a mere mortal like myself. And that includes some genuine ex WC skis i have owned. And my honest reviews of the skis were written long before i had any relationship with Augment NA. As a result of my testing I switched to Augment and sold off multiple different brands of race skis I had been on. And yes, I have also
bought a lot of my quiver. Some good deals? yes, just like most people in the industry, I get access to some specials or end of season clearances. As you and I both know you are in exactly the same position and have equally taken full advantage of this. And yes, full disclosure, I have also taken advantage of similar deals from you.
Also to be clear, I DO NOT SELL AND AM NOT A DEALER FOR AUGMENT AND DO NOT RECEIVE ANY COMMISSIONS FOR THIS. So, unlike a dealer, I do not have any $$$ incentive to promote a product. I do give athletes the opportunity to test the product, by skiing on my skis. And subsequent sales have been based on these athletes assessment of the quality of the skis. These sales may have been through one of the few retailers or through the website since Augment NA also had a Direct to Consumer option (DTC) - just like Blossom/Premier skis. And yes, I also negotiated a USSA racer discount, just like most every other race ski brand so not at MSRP. (Are any skis sales at MSRP? Aren't most at Suggested Retail Selling Price )
As to the ski "flex" being based on measurement of the skis when they come out of the mold. Yes, of course this is the case. This is pretty much standard industry practice outside a few WC level racers who can specify exactly how the skis is built and where additional epoxy/metal etc. is applied. Do you think that when Atomic/Fischer offer stiff/med/soft flexes in their retail race stock they are calculating how much epoxy goes into each flex? Why do you think Atomic has the flex hand written? . And having tested several in different flexes, yes, you can feel the difference. Can i tell a 5 from a 6? Probably not. But I can certainly tell a 4 from a 6. And most of the big names build the real race skis (not the retail race stock) in a separate facility, not in the same factory.
And yes, I am very aware of the frustration that the lack of Augment product caused. It is equally frustrating to me, knowing how good the product is. I know some of my athletes had to wait far too long and this also led to cancelled orders. This is always an issue with lower volume distribution (and which i am sure you also knew from your days importing Blossom). And i also have no direct insight as to how/if/when Augment or Van Deere will come back to the US. I do have a strong suspicion that there may be rationalization of the branding but that is simply an educated guess. For me personally it also creates an issue. Do I now think about changing brands? My current race quiver will get me through next season although I had hoped to switch flex on my slaloms. Or do I take advantage of other opportunities. Unless the alternatives work better for me, I would be reluctant to change.
As to the Hirscher/Van Deere politics and financing, i also have no insider information. It was pretty obvious where the backing was coming from but that does not make it official yet.
You say you have not seen any Augments on the hill. Fair enough. I can equally state that the only Blossom race skis I have seen on the hill have been the ones I tested (plus the Ski talk Siderals for non-race skis). Does that mean that Blossom are also virtual or "Bigfoot" skis? I dont believe so. And I have also never seen Blossom on the WC, unless you count the Rossi race room skis that Aldo was building for them.
So, long post, but lets tone down the negative commentary just to promote a different brand . This is not normally an effective marketing strategy. And i know you are better than that but for some reason you seem to have a bee in your bonnet about Augment. No idea why.
ETA: If you make out West, happy to put you on my skis so you can find out for yourself!