NORDICA Dobermann SLJ Plate

Nordica Dobermann SLJ Plate are junior race slalom skis designed for young racers who need a precise, quick and appropriately flexible construction to support the development of their racing technique. The completely redesigned generation uses a new construction in which a full-length metal sheet is positioned above the wood core. Nordica associates this combination with high stability and quick response, while also emphasizing that the construction allows developing racers to flex the ski appropriately and load it more effectively through the turn.

The technical foundation is the Energy 2 TI construction with a core specified as Performance Wood + Metal + Sidewall. The combination of a wood core, metal layer and sidewall construction creates the race-oriented foundation of the model. Dobermann SLJ Plate use a Full Camber Profile, with no rocker specified, corresponding to their focus on precise ski control on prepared race courses. With the new construction, Nordica emphasizes control, stability, responsiveness and quick edge changes.

An important part of the setup is the new Marker Junior Race Plate, designed to further enhance power transmission between the skier and the ski. Nordica also adapts its configuration according to ski length – the technical specifications list the Junior Racing Plate New S for lengths 121–135 cm and the L version for lengths 142–149 cm. The manufacturer additionally states that the smaller ski sizes use a two-piece plate design to ensure the appropriate flex. The system is therefore designed around the different requirements of younger and larger junior racers.

Dobermann SLJ Plate are available in 121, 128, 135, 142 and 149 cm lengths, with geometry and minimum nominal radius changing according to ski length. The waist measures just 63–65 mm, corresponding to the ski's highly specialized race-slalom focus. The product classification lists the model as Junior, Slalom ski, Profi Race and Race and also specifies FIS approved: Junior (U21, U18, U16, U14). The specifications also include race-oriented factory edge preparation with 0.9° on the base edge and 87.5° on the side edge, together with the manufacturer-stated race-ready finish.

Who are these skis designed for

Nordica Dobermann SLJ Plate are designed for junior racers and highly athletic young skiers looking for specialized slalom skis for training and racing on prepared courses. The product classification places them in the Profi Race and Race categories, while Nordica specifically targets the construction at developing racers – young athletes who are continuing to improve their technique and need a ski appropriate for their physical capabilities.

The model is particularly suitable for skiers who:

• are looking for junior race slalom skis

• train or compete on prepared race courses

• require a very narrow 63–65 mm waist

• want quick edge changes and precise ski control

• prefer a Full Camber Profile

• want a wood core complemented by a full-length metal sheet

• are looking for an Energy 2 TI race construction

• want a Junior Racing Plate adapted to the ski length

• need a choice of junior lengths from 121 to 149 cm

Dobermann SLJ Plate are not general-purpose junior all-mountain skis or standard recreational models. They are specialized for slalom and race-oriented skiing on prepared surfaces, with a construction designed to provide young racers with a combination of stability, control, quick edge changes and flex appropriate for junior use.

How the skis perform on the piste

The narrow geometry with a 63–65 mm waist creates a very narrow platform corresponding to the model's slalom focus. Nordica specifically emphasizes quick edge changes, control and responsiveness. Individual lengths use different geometries and minimum nominal radii, allowing the construction to progressively address the different requirements of racers using lengths from 121 to 149 cm.

The Full Camber Profile corresponds to the ski's race-oriented focus on prepared surfaces. Combined with the Performance Wood + Metal + Sidewall construction and Energy 2 TI, it creates a foundation focused on precise ski control, while the full-length metal sheet above the wood core is associated by the manufacturer with stability and responsiveness. At the same time, the construction is designed to remain appropriately accessible to developing racers so they can flex the ski correctly and actively use its flex through the turn.

The Marker Junior Race Plate also plays an important role. According to Nordica, its purpose is to enhance power transmission, while its configuration changes according to ski length. On the smaller versions, the manufacturer uses a two-piece design to maintain the appropriate flex, which is particularly important for younger and lighter racers.

How to read the specifications

Dimensions by length

The manufacturer specifies:

• 121 cm – 104-63-89 mm

• 128 cm – 106-63-89 mm

• 135 cm – 109-64-89 mm

• 142 cm – 111-64-89 mm

• 149 cm – 112.5-65-89 mm

As ski length increases, the tip gradually becomes wider and the waist also increases slightly, while the tail remains 89 mm wide in all lengths according to the supplied specifications. The different sizes therefore do not simply use identical geometry extended to a different length – their dimensions change as well.

The exceptionally narrow 63–65 mm waist clearly corresponds to the ski's race-slalom character. It is significantly narrower than a typical all-mountain ski and is designed primarily for skiing on prepared race surfaces and for quick transitions from edge to edge.

Radius ≥9 to ≥11 m depending on length

The manufacturer specifies:

• 121 cm – ≥9 m

• 128 cm – ≥9 m

• 135 cm – ≥10 m

• 142 cm – ≥10 m

• 149 cm – ≥11 m

It is important to retain the manufacturer's ≥ symbol when stating the radius, because the technical specifications do not present these figures as exact fixed radii but as minimum values. A specification such as ≥11 m should therefore not automatically be interpreted as exactly 11 m.

The short nominal radii correspond to the model's slalom focus. The actual character of the turn is also influenced by the selected ski length, loading of the ski, Full Camber Profile, construction and the racer's technique.

Lengths 121–149 cm

Nordica Dobermann SLJ Plate are available in 121, 128, 135, 142 and 149 cm lengths. The broad range of junior lengths makes it possible to select a version corresponding to the young skier's physical parameters, age, racing category and technical ability.

The selection of junior race skis should not be based solely on the racer's height. Weight, strength, technical ability, racing discipline, the regulations of the relevant racing category and the coach's recommendations are also important factors.

Weight 2540 g at 149 cm

Nordica specifies a weight of 2540 g for the 149 cm length. Separate weight figures for the other lengths are not provided in the supplied technical information.

The supplied specifications also do not clarify the measurement methodology or the exact configuration in which the 2540 g figure was determined. It is therefore not appropriate to state without further confirmation whether this refers to one ski, a pair, a ski with the plate or another configuration. The figure should be treated simply as the manufacturer-stated weight for the 149 cm length.

Edge angles

The manufacturer specifies the following factory settings:

• Base Edge – 0.9°

• Side Edge – 87.5°

These are the manufacturer's stated Factory Ski Angle values and therefore represent the factory edge preparation. Together with the model's race-ready positioning, they correspond to preparation intended for sport and racing use.

The condition and angles of the edges can change with subsequent servicing. For race skis, further tuning should therefore be adapted to the individual racer's requirements, conditions and the recommendations of a coach or experienced race service technician.

Technologies

Energy 2 TI

Nordica specifies the construction of the model as Energy 2 TI. At the same time, the technical specifications describe the core as Performance Wood + Metal + Sidewall, while the main product description confirms the use of a wood core with a full-length metal sheet positioned above it.

Nordica associates this new construction primarily with high stability and responsiveness, while also allowing developing junior racers to flex the ski appropriately. The exact composition of the metal layer, its thickness and the type of wood used are not specified in the supplied information.

Performance Wood + Metal + Sidewall

The technical specifications list the combination Performance Wood + Metal + Sidewall. The confirmed foundation therefore consists of a wood core, metal layer and sidewall construction.

The available information does not specify the exact arrangement of the individual layers, the wood species or the material and dimensional specifications of the sidewalls. These elements should therefore be presented as confirmed components of the race construction without adding unsupported material details.

Full-Length Metal Sheet

One of the major changes in the redesigned Dobermann SLJ Plate is the full-length metal sheet positioned above the wood core. Nordica directly associates this feature with increased stability and responsiveness.

At the same time, the construction has been designed around junior racers and their ability to flex the ski. Nordica therefore emphasizes not only stability and control but also flex characteristics appropriate for developing racers.

Full Camber Profile

Dobermann SLJ Plate use a Full Camber Profile. No rocker is specified for this model in the supplied technical information.

Full Camber corresponds to the model's focus on race slalom and prepared courses. However, the exact camber height and its distribution along the length of the ski are not specified in the supplied data.

Marker Junior Race Plate

The new Marker Junior Race Plate is an important part of the Dobermann SLJ Plate construction. According to Nordica, it further enhances power transmission, while its design is adapted to the different ski lengths.

The technical specifications list:

• Junior Racing Plate New S – lengths 121–135 cm

• Junior Racing Plate New L – lengths 142–149 cm

Nordica also states that the smaller versions use a two-piece plate design to ensure the appropriate ski flex. This is therefore a construction solution designed to accommodate the different requirements of individual junior ski sizes.

Race-Ready Finish

Nordica also specifies a race-ready finish for the Dobermann SLJ Plate, corresponding to the model's race-oriented positioning.

The supplied information does not separately describe every individual step of this preparation. However, the confirmed factory edge angles of 0.9° on the base edge and 87.5° on the side edge are stated directly in the technical specifications.

Recommended bindings

For the Dobermann SLJ Plate, Nordica specifies three recommended binding options:

• Comp 10 TCX – 0C4148 00 001

• Comp 10 – 0C4150 00 001

• Comp J 8 – 0C4152 00 001

The product classification also states Including binding: Yes, while the “Binding up to” category contains values of 80 kg and 100 kg. These values represent product classifications and should not automatically be interpreted as the specific release-value or DIN range of the individual bindings.

The specific choice and adjustment of the safety binding must correspond to the ski version being used, the ski boot, the racer's physical parameters and technical ability. With junior race equipment, mounting and adjustment should be performed or checked by a professional ski service with consideration for the racer's requirements and the relevant racing category.

Why choose NORDICA Dobermann SLJ Plate?

Nordica Dobermann SLJ Plate are designed for young racers looking for specialized junior slalom skis with an exceptionally narrow 63–65 mm waist, short nominal radius, Full Camber profile and a race construction focused on precision, stability and quick edge changes. Five lengths from 121 to 149 cm, together with changing geometry, radius and race-plate configuration, allow the model to accommodate different junior racers.

Energy 2 TI, Performance Wood + Metal + Sidewall, the full-length metal sheet and the new Marker Junior Race Plate create the technical foundation of a model Nordica has designed around the requirements of developing racers. Dobermann SLJ Plate make the most sense for young slalom racers who need a genuinely race-focused ski while also requiring a construction and flex adapted to junior physical parameters and the progressive development of racing technique.