I initially thought it was going to be much more difficult this year, just looking at the patterns.  All it's doing is returning a significant advantage to the more skilled players.  These patterns can be opened up well.  Any time you have predictable, consistent hook in the middle of the lane, all you need to do is create a hook spot outside the track.  There is plenty of head oil to let you get a handful at the bottom, and you know it's going to hook, so once you build some friction outside, you should be good to go.  Won't be as easy as last year definitely, but I see a lot of potential this year out of patterns that on paper look much tougher than last year. 

Yes, this is also why I think people are going to be using a LOT weaker equipment than everyone thinks.  Use some really aggressive balls to create a track and then go super weak and bump it.  You're going to need weak and smooth, with the angles you're going to have to play with the sharp wet/dry from oil to backend, stuff that hooks is going to burn up on the turn and carry is going to be tough.  Call me crazy, but I think about game 2 or halfway through it, people may be using urethane.  D&S it appears like you'll be able to keep chasing deeper and not have many issues, but Team is going to be the rough shot this year.  I know I'll be taking a Supernatural, and I think the Ride might actually be the ball that wins bracket finals this year.  Hook potential isn't going to be the key this year, controlling the backend transition will be.  I bet you see people having success with everything from the Crux to urethane this year, don't really think there's going to be an "it" ball like there usually is. 

Quote from: themagician on March 05, 2015, 09:03:58 AM

Quote from: ITZPS on March 05, 2015, 07:34:34 AM

I initially thought it was going to be much more difficult this year, just looking at the patterns.  All it's doing is returning a significant advantage to the more skilled players.  These patterns can be opened up well.  Any time you have predictable, consistent hook in the middle of the lane, all you need to do is create a hook spot outside the track.  There is plenty of head oil to let you get a handful at the bottom, and you know it's going to hook, so once you build some friction outside, you should be good to go.  Won't be as easy as last year definitely, but I see a lot of potential this year out of patterns that on paper look much tougher than last year. 

I really think while you are correct that it will bring the advantage to the skilled players the fact that there is quite a bit of volume on a short pattern is going to make for some very interesting transitions. The lack of length is going to cause a lack of hold in the team event when you consider the flatness of the pattern.

Double post, but here is Riggs blog https://www.11thframe.com/news/article/7308 on the patterns.

Great insight from a very experienced and unbiased Eagle winner.