NORDICA Dobermann GS Race Plate

Junior giant slalom race skis featuring Energy 2 Ti construction, a wood core, metal elements and a race-oriented Piston Plate, designed for young racers who need excellent stability, precise response and confidence through fast, long-radius turns.

The Nordica Dobermann GS Race Plate is a specialized giant slalom race ski developed primarily for up-and-coming U14 and U16 racers who already require genuine competition equipment but are not yet ready for a full adult race construction. Nordica combines Performance Wood + Metal + Sidewall with Energy 2 Ti construction and a flex tailored to younger racers. The result is a ski focused on high-speed stability, precise edge control and efficient power transmission through long race turns.

Its race character is further enhanced by Full Camber and a Piston Plate, which improves power transmission between the racer, binding and ski. Turn radii ranging from ≥21 to ≥25 m depending on length correspond to the demands of giant slalom and support smooth, precise long-radius turns. Factory edge preparation of Base 0.6° and Side 86° further confirms that the Dobermann GS Race Plate is not a versatile junior ski for casual recreational skiing, but a specialized race tool for GS training and competition.

Who are these skis for?

The Nordica Dobermann GS Race Plate is designed for junior racers who train or compete in giant slalom and require a dedicated race construction focused on stability, precision and accurate control through long turns.

According to the supplied classification, the model is FIS approved for the Junior U21, U18, U16 and U14 categories. In its description, Nordica particularly emphasizes developing U14 and U16 racers, with a flex tailored to deliver race performance without requiring an immediate move to a full adult race construction.

These skis are suitable for racers who:

• regularly train giant slalom
• compete or are preparing for ski racing
• have very good to race-level skiing technique
• require high stability at greater speeds
• can actively manage pressure and edge engagement
• demand precise control through long race turns
• need confidence under dynamic loading
• are looking for specialized GS skis rather than an all-round recreational model

How do the skis perform on the slopes?

The Dobermann GS Race Plate is built for fast, fluid and precise skiing through long turns. While race slalom primarily requires extremely quick edge-to-edge transitions and frequent changes of direction, giant slalom places greater emphasis on high-speed stability, maintaining an exact racing line and efficiently managing pressure throughout a longer turn.

This is exactly what the combination of Performance Wood + Metal + Sidewall, Energy 2 Ti construction, Full Camber and the race-oriented Piston Plate is designed to support. The ski provides a solid platform under active loading and is engineered to transfer the racer's movements precisely toward the edges.

Full Camber supports active use of the edge and accurate ski control on firm snow. The larger turn radius naturally corresponds to the longer, smoother turns characteristic of giant slalom.

These are not forgiving junior skis for recreational skiers. The Dobermann GS Race Plate requires appropriate technique, speed and the ability to actively load the ski. In the hands of an experienced young racer, it can provide the stability and precision for which it was developed.

Key characteristics on snow:

• high stability at greater speeds
• precise control through long turns
• direct response to the racer's movements
• strong support when skiing on edge
• efficient power transmission
• race-oriented Full Camber profile
• smooth transitions between GS turns
• construction tailored to junior racers
• designed for firm, prepared race courses
• specialized character for giant slalom training and competition

How to understand the specifications

Lengths 173–188 cm

The Dobermann GS Race Plate is available in four lengths:

• 173 cm
• 178 cm
• 183 cm
• 188 cm

With race-oriented GS skis, the correct length should not be selected solely according to the racer's height. Racing category, physical characteristics, technical ability and the regulations under which the athlete competes must also be considered.

The minimum turn radius also changes with length. The longer versions therefore offer characteristics corresponding to higher speeds and longer race turns.

Turn radius ≥21 to ≥25 m

Nordica specifies the following minimum turn radii for each length:

• 173 cm – ≥21 m
• 178 cm – ≥23 m
• 183 cm – ≥23 m
• 188 cm – ≥25 m

Turn radius is one of the most important parameters distinguishing a GS ski from a slalom model. A larger radius naturally favors longer, smoother turns in which the racer can use speed while maintaining precise edge control.

The 173 cm version with a radius of ≥21 m provides the shortest turn character within this range, while the 188 cm version with ≥25 m is oriented toward a longer racing line and the corresponding competition application.

When choosing a specific version, length and radius should therefore be considered together while also respecting the requirements of the relevant racing category.

Full Camber

The Full Camber profile uses a classic race-oriented camber without a rocker-focused profile. On a giant slalom ski, this supports active use of the edges and precise control through long turns.

When correctly loaded, it helps the racer create solid support throughout the turn and use the ski's dynamic response when transitioning into the next one.

In practice, Full Camber supports:

• active use of the edges
• precise control through long turns
• solid support under load
• direct response to the racer's movements
• dynamic turn exits
• a precise race-oriented feel on firm snow

Construction

The Nordica Dobermann GS Race Plate uses Energy 2 Ti construction combined with Performance Wood + Metal + Sidewall.

The wood component provides the foundation for the required flex and dynamic behavior of the ski, while the metal elements are part of a construction focused on high loads, stability and precise control. The Sidewall design supports direct power transmission toward the edges.

An important feature of this particular model is its flex tailored to developing racers, especially those in the U14 and U16 categories. Nordica is therefore addressing young athletes who already need a genuine GS race ski but for whom a full adult race construction may still be too demanding.

The construction combines:

• Performance Wood
• metal elements
• Sidewall construction
• Energy 2 Ti
• Full Camber
• stability under high loads
• precise response when skiing on edge
• characteristics tailored to junior GS racing

Piston Plate

The skis are equipped with a race-oriented Piston Plate. In its product description, Nordica specifies a 10 mm Marker Piston Plate designed to further enhance power transmission.

The Piston Plate creates a race-oriented interface between the ski and binding. Under the high loads generated through long GS turns, it helps efficiently transfer the racer's movements into the ski and supports precise response from the complete system.

For the racer, this primarily means:

• more precise power transmission
• more immediate ski response
• support under high dynamic loads
• a race-oriented connection between ski and binding
• a platform prepared for a suitable race binding

Bindings and available configurations

The supplied product classification lists No, Yes under “Including binding.” This means the model can be available in different product configurations – as a ski with plate without a binding or as a version equipped with a corresponding race binding.

For any specific product offer, it is therefore important to check whether it includes only the skis with Piston Plate or a complete setup with bindings.

Nordica recommends:

• Comp 16 – code 0C4144 00 001
• Comp 12 – code 0C4146 00 001

According to the supplied product classification, the binding category lists a maximum skier weight of 160 kg. This is a value from the product classification and should not be confused with the DIN adjustment range of the binding.

The exact DIN range is not provided in the supplied technical specifications, so it should not be inferred solely from the Comp 12 and Comp 16 model names.

Race edge preparation

For the Dobermann GS Race Plate, Nordica specifies the following factory setup:

• Factory Ski Angle (Base): 0.6°
• Factory Ski Angle (Side): 86°

This is a distinctly race-oriented edge preparation. The low base angle supports quick edge engagement, while the 86° side angle corresponds to the need for precise edge control on firm race surfaces.

Such a setup supports very direct ski response, but at the same time demands correct technique and precise edge management from the racer.

Technical specifications

• Intended for: Junior
• Ski type: Giant Slalom / GS
• Skier type: Profi Race / Race
• Terrain: Prepared race course
• FIS approval according to supplied classification: Junior – U21 / U18 / U16 / U14
• Profile: Full Camber
• Core type: Wood core
• Core: Performance Wood + Metal + Sidewall
• Construction: Energy 2 Ti
• Plate: Piston Plate
• Parameters: R&D mm (188 cm)
• Lengths: 173 / 178 / 183 / 188 cm
• Turn radius:
  • 173 cm – ≥21 m
  • 178 cm – ≥23 m
  • 183 cm – ≥23 m
  • 188 cm – ≥25 m
• Weight: 4120 g (188 cm)
• Factory Ski Angle (Base): 0.6°
• Factory Ski Angle (Side): 86°
• Color: Black / Red
• Recommended bindings:
  • Comp 16 – 0C4144 00 001
  • Comp 12 – 0C4146 00 001
• Available with / without binding: Yes, depending on the specific configuration
• Maximum skier weight according to supplied product classification: 160 kg
• Manufacturer code: 0A661200-001
• Product code: N26000923

Comparison with the NORDICA Dobermann SL WC Plate

The Dobermann GS Race Plate and Dobermann SL WC Plate belong to the same race-oriented family, but their performance characteristics are fundamentally different because each model is designed for a different racing discipline.

The Dobermann GS Race Plate is designed for giant slalom. It is available in lengths from 173 to 188 cm with turn radii ranging from ≥21 to ≥25 m. Its primary priorities are high-speed stability, precise control through long turns and smooth pressure management.

The Dobermann SL WC Plate, on the other hand, is a slalom model available in 156 and 165 cm. Its primary purpose is to provide extremely quick changes of direction and immediate edge-to-edge transitions through short slalom turns.

According to the supplied technical specifications, the construction designation also differs:

• Dobermann GS Race Plate – Energy 2 Ti
• Dobermann SL WC Plate – Energy 2 Ti WorldCup

Both models use Performance Wood + Metal + Sidewall, Full Camber and a Piston Plate, and both are focused on junior racing. The choice between them is therefore not about a higher or lower performance level, but primarily about the racing discipline – GS for giant slalom and SL for slalom.

Why choose the NORDICA Dobermann GS Race Plate?

Giant slalom demands a different type of performance than slalom. At high speed, the ski must remain stable, accurately hold the selected line and allow the racer to efficiently manage pressure throughout the entire long turn.

This is exactly what the Nordica Dobermann GS Race Plate is designed to deliver. Energy 2 Ti construction combines Performance Wood, metal elements and Sidewall, while Full Camber supports precise edge control. The Piston Plate further enhances power transmission between the racer, binding and ski.

The junior-specific design is equally important. According to Nordica, the flex is tailored particularly to developing U14 and U16 racers who already require a genuine GS race ski but are not yet ready for a full adult race construction.

Key benefits:

• specialized junior giant slalom race skis
• FIS approval for junior categories according to the supplied classification
• flex tailored to developing U14 and U16 racers
• Energy 2 Ti construction
• Performance Wood + Metal + Sidewall
• Full Camber for precise race-oriented control
• high stability at greater speeds
• precise and direct response when skiing on edge
• turn radii from ≥21 to ≥25 m depending on length
• race-oriented Piston Plate
• efficient power transmission under high loads
• factory edge preparation: Base 0.6° / Side 86°
• lengths of 173 / 178 / 183 / 188 cm
• weight of 4120 g at 188 cm
• recommended Comp 12 and Comp 16 race bindings
• construction focused on GS training and competition use