I am posting this question for the off chance that someone on this website might have a clue what I am talking about.

I've been racing USSA for years (l need FIS legal skis, 175cm/21m) and this year for GS l bought a pair of Atomic LT:12s, 176 cm long with a 21 m turn radius.The problem with these skis is that my GS racing has taken a major dive--l went from sweeping the GS races last year to barely finishing middle of the pack and never placing this season.GS used to be my strength--now I am relying on my slalom to get me to the postseason events.The conclusion that my coaches and l have come up with is that Atomics in general are way too stiff for me.

Anyways, I am researching a new pair of skis.The Fischer RC4s, 175cm are the most likely option--Rossignol and Head are also possible.l have contacts with all three companies and I am planning on investigating a partial sponsorship.l would appreciate comments on the above mentioned brands or any different suggestions.
l have heard conflicting reports on the RC4s--one of my friends says that they are only slightly less stiffer than the Atomics, while another absolutely loves his RC4s and swears by them.l knew when l bought the LTs (the Atomic LT line is designed for the lighter racer, to be less stiff than Atomic is regular GS race ski) that they would be very stiff, but I am in fantastic physical condition and l thought l could handle them--l do not wanna make the same mistake if the RC4s turn out to be too stiff as well.
for the 95 lb. USSA racer, what class are you?J3 or 4?Because J2 guys move up into 180cm/24m radius l think.Good luck with your postseason!

Since u have contacts with all three companies, & probably have an established record of performance, ask each company rep if they have a pair u can demo. If that does not work, go to a shop that carries each brand & measure the stiffness of the ski by standing on it while it is on a 2x4 board at each end of the ski & have someone measure how much u bend the ski with just u weight. Do the same with ur atomics before u try the shop skiis.
You might also try some of the race camps in ur area, some of them may have a pair of used but not abused pairs u can try.
You do not mention ur size, which might help determine just what u might be better off trying. Do some research on other racers ur size & weight & what they r using for which event. When l raced, the only competitors my size were using Austrian made, White Stars, Alu Steel, & sometimes Head.
l do hope this helps. You also might check the balance point on ur bindings & compare the ramp angle of ur old bindings with the new ones. Atomic has a very flat ramp angle, Tyrolia & Marker r steeper, Look/ Rossignol is the steepest. Ramp is the amount of heel raise compared to the boot toe. Also have u changed boots or modified them in any way recently?

l am gonna have to agree about the demo.that would be the best way to go. l do not own gs skis, but my RC4 SL is r only a little softer than atomic is sl12. The main reason l prefer fischer over atomic is that they r way more responsive. even though they're not much softer, they seem to react instantaneously to any skier input, whereas the atomics that l have tried feel bulky & dead in comparison. l think the LT ones r atomic is softer model though, so fischers might be too stiff for you. My friends rossignols r really easy to ski on.they might actually be better than mine in gates, but they're a little soft for my personal liking. You might want to look at some of the rossignol models.

ok for this one l am ur man for this trust me l also race USSA & l just so happen to have the fischers & l just want to say GET THE FISCHERS!!!!! l own these skiis l love these skis they r th best that l have ever skiied on in my life l got three golds four silvers & seven bronzes on them also they will not be to stiff because l think that they still make the 175 in a jr ski which has only one metal plate in it for stiffness instead of two. any way the fischers r a charm made in austria they r the most hard core bad ass ski everererererer & also l flex them fine & l weigh 95 pounds so u can trust that ur next season will be a great one on the fischers.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S
i bet that both of us r the only USSA racers on the whole answeres net work(if there r any others tell me).