It does hurt the retailers. I own a shop and I already have all my catalogs for next years stuff. I dont post it because if your looking to buy skis now.. why would I want to give you incentive to hold off. I know that sounds kind of rough... but the companies have to protect their retailers. And per the armada.. I think that most of the skis are pretty sick looking. Im not a huge fan of the new ARV's but other than that they arent all that great.
And about the pros who are on next years stuff... thats different because when they are moving accross a tv or computer screen spinning around you cant always get a great look at the skis... it helps build stoke of the skis with out giving away exactly what they look like. And most of the good footage of them on their new gear wont be out until next year in the videos when the skis are all current anyways.
a little different persective..