Solda Wax Recommendations

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2010-04-28T16:41:00.001-07:00

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2010 Great Nordeen at Mt Bachelor

2010-04-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

The race is a freestyle in either 30km or 15km distance. The first third of the course is a ripping fast downhill. The middle is a mix of rolling terrain and the last couple of km are steady, but not steep climbing. The NOAA forecast is :

Tonight (Thursday): Snow likely, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Wind chill values as low as -1. Breezy, with a southwest wind 9 to 12 mph becoming south between 19 and 22 mph. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Friday: Snow. High near 33. Wind chill values as low as -1. Windy, with a west southwest wind 28 to 31 mph increasing to between 41 and 44 mph. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 12 to 18 inches possible.

Friday Night: Snow showers likely, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Wind chill values as low as -4. Windy, with a west wind between 24 and 33 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 29. West southwest wind between 13 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

I skied Thursday morning at 7. The snow was -9C (15F). Some had been wind blown and even though it had been groomed, it was slow. The forecast looks pretty wintry, April fooling us.

Race starts at 9:30. Forecast temp is 23F (-5C). High at the finish looks to be about 30F (-1C).

Skis: I would choose a fairly soft to medium soft pair with a fine, new snow grind.

Base wax: I would go with a fairly hard wax to harden the bases for all the new snow. Solda Performance green would work.

Race wax: With the current forecast my leaning is toward Solda F31 Pink. If the humidity is closer to 100% F40 Red would be the choice.

Top Coat: Solda HP04. If I had two pair of skis, I would try one with a top coat of HP05.

Have a good one.

Bert

California Gold Rush 2010

2010-03-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

This is a 45km freestyle race at the Royal Gorge Resort near Soda Springs (Tahoe area), CA. The current NOAA forecast is as follows:

Today (Thursday): A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27. Southwest wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tonight: Snow showers likely, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. West southwest wind 13 to 16 mph decreasing to between 5 and 8 mph. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 31. North wind at 10 mph becoming west.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. West northwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming east northeast. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 45. East wind between 7 and 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 47.

I just spoke with folks at Royal Gorge and on Thursday morning at 10:30 am it is snowing. I believe the forecast low for Saturday night is a bit high and it will fall below 32 F.

Skis: I would pick one of my soft to medium plus base skis with a warm grind.

Base wax: On clean bases start with a layer of Solda Performance Red and Performance Yellow 50/50. Let it cool, scrape and brush.

Race wax: I would apply a mix of Solda F40 Red and F40 Yellow 50/50. Scrape and brush. That is the case if there is not new snow on the course. If it snows more and there is new snow that has not transformed, then I would go with Solda F31 Pink.

Top coat: Finish with Solda Fluor 100.

Have a great race.

Bert

Solda Performance Series

2010-03-19T13:30:00.001-07:00

Solda Performance Series
All over the world those who wax skis for both nordic and alpine racing are familiar with Solda HP05. National teams buy it and use it for cold, transformed snow in conditions of high humidity.

There are many other Solda waxes that may be less well known, but no less effective. Locals in Bend who come into our shop are always asking about a good wax for training and recreational skiing that is not too expensive. The answer is easy. The Performance World Cup series comes in three flavors. Green for cold snow, Red for most snow, Yellow for the warm days. You don't need snow thermometers or barometers to figure out which to use. The temperature ranges overlap at the upper and lower ends. You can go outside, or to the website of your skiing destination and see what the weather looks like. There are temperature ranges on the packages (the same is true for all other Solda waxes). Here in the shop we use the Solda Perfromance Red for nearly all of our wax service business because it has a wide range and runs well in most all snow conditions.

The other go-to wax for us is Solda UF7. It is a Universal low Flouro wax with a wide range too. I have used it as a race wax before and won my age group. As I prep skis for race day, I usually start with at base of a mix of Perfromance Red and UF7 50/50. I scrape and brush this and then apply the race wax over the top. These waxes saturate the bases well and provide the hydrocarbon/fluorocarbon mix that the more highly fluorinated waxes can bond to.

Waxing skis for fun and glide does not have to be complicated. Check the website for glide wax to see these and other wax options.

I hope you have some good spring skiing ahead of you.

Bert

North Routt Coureur des Bois 45k and 90k

2010-03-11T16:40:00.000-08:00

This is the long one north of Steamboat Springs. The course goes to the Wyoming border and back. There is a 45km class and a 90 km class. The current NOAA forecast is :

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. West southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 15. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming southeast.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. South wind between 5 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Expect transformed snow that has gone through the thaw/freeze cycle.
Skis: Select a plus base ski with a medium to medium/hard flex and a wet snow grind.
Base wax: Rub on a layer of Solda HC28. Drip on a layer of Solda UF7 and Performance Red 50/50. Scrape and brush.
Race wax: Combine Solda F31 Orange and F40 Red 50/50. Scrape and brush. You could now apply a coarse interupted structure with the Toko Structurite Tool. Brush again.
Top Coat: Finish with Solda Fluor 100 or PJ1.
If it looks like it will stay colder or is cloudy so the sun is not melting the snow, finish with Solda HP05-S30 mix 70/30.

Have a good race.

WebSkis Cascade Crest Mt Bachelor Oregon

2010-03-11T16:30:00.001-08:00

This is a 25km skate race on challenging terrain.
The current NOAA forecast is:

Friday: Snow. High near 35. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 17 and 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Friday Night: Snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 17. West wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. West wind between 13 and 15 mph. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

This is written on Thursday afternoon. If the forecast above holds true, then here is how I am prepping my skis. I have skied two days this week and have been on new snow each time. The snow is skiing colder than I anticipated.

Start with a medium to medium soft plus base ski with a medium to fine new snow grind.
Base wax: Start with a base of Solda UF7 and Performance Red 50/50. Scrape and brush.
Race wax: Now apply a layer of Solda F15 or F31 Pink (both if you have them; F15 first)
Top Coat: Finish with Solda HP04.

See you there and have a good race.

Great Bear Chase at Swede Town nordic trails Michigan

2010-03-11T16:13:00.000-08:00

This looks like a wet one. The NOAA forecast is:

Friday: Rain likely, mainly before 1pm. Areas of dense fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 41. East wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of rain. Areas of fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 37. East wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Areas of fog before noon. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 41. East wind around 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Northeast wind around 10 mph.

Sunday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 44.

For either the freestyle or the classic:
Chose plus base skis that have the shortest base/snow contact zones you have.
Base wax: Rub on a good layer of Solda FC27 and cover with a layer of Solda Performance Yellow. Scrape and brush.
Race wax: Next apply a layer of Solda F40 Yellow. Scrape and brush. Now, for the freestyle race apply a coarse interupted structure with the Toko Structurite Tool, one pass. Follow with one pass of the coarse linear roller. On the classic skis apply the coarse linear rill.
Top coat: Solda Fluor 100 finishes the job.

Have a good race.

Tour de Meissner 2010

2010-03-04T15:59:00.000-08:00

The Tour de Meissner is a classic race at the Virginia Meissner Sno Park 15 miles west of Bend, Oregon. The current NOAA forecast is:

Friday: A 20 percent chance of snow showers after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. South southeast wind between 3 and 8 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. East northeast wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Northeast wind around 6 mph.

The snow is transformed and has been thawed and frozen.

Skis: Pick a pair of Plus base skis. It will probably be a klister day.

Base wax: Solda UF7 and Performance Red 50/50.

Race wax: I would apply a couple layers of Solda F31 Orange. You could stop here or finish up with Solda F40 Red.

Top coat: Finish with Solda Fluor 100 or Solda Powerjet 1.

Kick wax: First apply a klister binder. You could use a thin layer of Swix, Toko or Rode base klisters. Then Universal Swix or Toko multigrade could work as could the Rode Multigrade or Rode Nera.

West Yellowstone Rendezvous

2010-03-04T15:25:00.000-08:00

Skate race at West Yellowstone Rendezvous Trails. I just talked with folks there and the current conditions are transformed snow. Highs have been mild, 30s. Lows have been mid teens. The NOAA forecast is:

Tonight: Snow showers likely, mainly after 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 24. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Friday: Snow showers likely, mainly before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. West southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 40. Calm wind.

It doesn't sound like a lot of new snow. It will be groomed and new snow will be mixed in with the old, transformed snow. Overall fairly abrasive late winter snow.

Skis: I would pick a pair of medium to medium stiff skis with a plus base. A universal type grind can work well. You could apply a medium interupted rill with the Toko structurite tool after waxing.

Base wax: Mix Solda UF7 and Performance Red 50/50. Then if it is staying cold (between 10 and 24) apply a couple layers of Solda F31 Violet. If it is 23 to 28 at night apply a couple layers of Solda F31 Orange. If it happens to snow, go with Solda F31 Pink. In almost all of the situations above I would be tempted to finish with F40 Red. The level of fluor in this wax helps extend the life of the wax on transformed snow.

Top Coat: Over F31 Violet cover with Solda HP05 or HP05 S30 mix. If it is new snow cover the Pink with Solda HP04. If it looks like a warm day cover the Orange with Solda Fluor 100.

Alpina Stampede at Snow Mountain Ranch

2010-03-04T13:23:00.000-08:00

This is a skate or classic race at Snow Mountain Ranch near Granby, Colorado. It is high altitude Colorado snow. The current NOAA forecast for Saturday March 6 is:

Tonight: Snow likely, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. East southeast wind between 5 and 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. West wind between 11 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. West wind between 10 and 13 mph becoming calm.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 46. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 5 mph.

Talking with the folks at the nordic center, the weather has not been following the forecasts with consistency. There was snow forecast of Saturday and it has been moved up to Friday. It could be sunny or it could be cloudy with a chance of snow.

Skis: Pick a pair of medium to medium soft skis with a medium to finer grind. If it looks like it will be sunny and warmer, add a medium interupted pattern with a Toko rilling tool or the finer or red linera roller on the new Toko Tool. Rill after wax and before fluoro powder application.

Base wax: I would start with a mix of Solda UF7 and Solda Performance Green 50/50. Follow up with Solda F15 Violet. If it stays cold, below 24, go with Solda F31 or F40 Violet. If it warms and race temps are between 23 and 30 and the snow is transformed (not new) go to F31 Orange. If there is new snow, and it is between 32 and 18, go with F31 Pink.

Top coat: Again, watch the weather. If it stays colder than 24 go with Solda HP05 or the HP05-S30 mix. If it is warmer and new snow, go with Solda HP04.

If classic skiing, apply a binder to the kick zone. I like one of the following: Rode Black base, or Toko Green base, or Swix VG30. Iron it in, let it cool and then cork it smooth. I would start with multiple thin layers of either Rode Fast Blue Super or Swix VR40. After testing adjust up in temp it need be.

The Great Ski Race 2010

2010-03-04T13:14:00.001-08:00

This race is from Lake Tahoe to Truckee. It is pretty much all up hill at first and all downhill from halfway on. As always with the Sierras in March, the weather is hard to forecast. The current NOAA forecast is:

Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 26. South wind around 10 mph. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. East wind between 5 and 10 mph. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Sunday: A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Select a pair of skis with a medium to softer flex, plus bases and a medium to warm snow grind.

Base wax: I would start with clean bases and a layer of Solda UF7.

Race wax: If there is measurable new snow and it looks like it could snow during the race, I would then go with Solda F15 Pink followed by Solda F31 Pink.

Top coat: Finish with Solda HP04 if it is staying cold (24 to 27)or Solda Fluor 100 if it starts out at 28 and is getting warmer.

Birkie update Friday PM

2010-02-26T13:54:00.000-08:00

Here is the latest from Chris Wheaton, our Solda man on the snow in Hayward.

Chris says:

Of the 4 weather reporting agencies that I use the range of overnight low temperatures is 0 F – 11 F (the colder forecasts actually come out of Duluth so that may explain the colder prediction). Temperatures are to warm up with the range being 5 F – 18 F at 9:00 a.m. The forecasters are split on cloud cover with 2 of them reporting sunny and 2 of them reporting cloud cover. Humidity levels are pretty normal for the Midwest at this time of year; high 70’s – low 80’s overnight and high 60’s – low 70’s at 9:00 a.m.

The course is cold and hard with no more than a dusting of snow falling this week. I believe that reports of a “dirty” course are a bit exaggerated. I have seen the usual amount of debris on the course but would not call it dirty.

Cold grinds are out performing medium or warm grinds.

Hard bases are the order of the day. I recommend starting with FC 27 which will be very durable and runs well with a variety of LF and HF waxes on top of it. Follow the FC 27 with Solda Performance Green.

After the Performance Green (if you don’t have it, not a big problem) I would start adding multiple layers of Solda F 15 Blue. Again, the blue wax will harden the base and be durable.

Top the F 15 Blue with Solda F 40 Special Violet if you are in the later waves. If you do not have the F 40 Special I would go with F 31 Blue or F 40 Violet. I do not recommend F 15 as the wax of the day for the simple reason that the lower fluor content will not be as durable.

Elite and First Wave skiers should lean toward the F 40
Special Green or F 40 Green scenario with HPO6 on top. HPO6 was very fast this
morning when it was cold.

For everyone else I think the ticket is F40 Special Violet with HPO5 on
top. 70/30 mix would work as well. The temperature of the snow is drastically
different in the sunny areas. In the sun, the snow is about the same temp
as the air. In the shade the snow is 15 degrees F colder than the air.
The weather services are still split on whether we have sun or clouds
tomorrow.

I ran into the Boulder Nordic guys, they loved HPO6 and did not even run
the HPO5. They heard from a few teams that it was not fast which I agree with
if it was tested early this morning when it was still very cold. If it
warms up tomorrow like they are predicting, HPO5 is the ticket.

Even late wavers will benefit from this recommendation. When in doubt wax for colder rather than warmer.

2010 MBSEF Par for the Course 2

2010-02-25T20:11:00.000-08:00

The current NOAA forecast for Sunday, February 28 is:

Tonight: Snow likely before 10pm, then rain, possibly mixed with snow. Low around 30. South wind between 10 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Friday: Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 10am. High near 37. South wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Friday Night: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 27. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Southwest wind around 10 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. West wind around 6 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Temp at 10:00 AM is forecast to be 35F.

I will pick a pair of fairly soft, plus base skis with a warm snow grind.

Base wax: On clean bases start with a base of Solda Performance Yellow and UF7 mixed 50/50. Iron twice, scrape and brush.

Follow up with Solda F31 Pink. Top coat with Solda Fluor 100.

Solda Birkie Wax Recommendation

2010-02-25T17:20:00.000-08:00

The NOAA forecast is:

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around -9. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 33. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around -2. North wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.

There are other forecasts that have the overnight lows at 10F. All seem to agree that high will be in low 30s.
I believe that the snow will remain cold. The groomers will be working the course at night when the temps are low. The snow is transformed old snow with a little new this week mixed in . The course is hard. It should be a great race.

Skis: pick a pair of medium to medium stiff skate skis with a fine to medium grind. For classic, your favorite cold base skis. Remember if you are using klister that the ski must have a wax pocket high enough to carry the klister and not have it abraded off. See our friends at Swix or Toko for kick wax recommendations.

Base wax: On clean bases rub on a layer of Solda FC27. Drip on Solda Performance Green over the FC27, iron twice and scrape. If you are going in one of the later waves apply a layer of Solda F31 or F40 Violet. Cover this with two layers of Solda F15 Blue. scrape and brush between layers. You want to get lots of hard wax into the bases. For the early waves start with the F15 Blue over the Performance Green. Again, two layers.

Top Coat: My guess is that the best top coat will be the HP05-S30 70/30 mix. If you don't have the pre-made mix, sprinkle the S30 on the skis first, then sprinkle the HP05. Use a cork brush to tamp the two powders to an even layer. Iron with a hot iron. (265 F or 130 C). Cork the mix on the ski and set it aside to cool. Have a cup of tea, be patient. Watch the Olympics. Hooray USA Nordic Combined. Brush the skis when they have cooled. I use a horse hair brush and finish with a Swix blue bristle polishing brush.

Some folks have had luck with using S30 over the F15 Blue and finishing with HP05 S30 mix. The HP05 mixes have a good history at the Birkie. HP06 is a colder Fluor Powder that could run well, but I have not heard any testing. If my resources on the ground find something different, I will post tomorrow evening.

Have a great race.

Bert

Thursday Birkie Weather update

2010-02-25T12:01:00.000-08:00

This is the NOAA forecast for Hayward, WI for the next three days.

This Afternoon: Partly sunny, with a high near 25. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around -9. North wind around 5 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 33. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around -2. North wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.

I will continue to watch and get reports from folks on the ground in Hayward. I will post a wax recommendation This evening.

Bert

Ski Base Prep for Birkie

2010-02-23T19:57:00.001-08:00

Those who have been in Hayward and Cable, Wisconsin, have told me that the snow is abrasive and dirty. It snowed a little today, a very fine snow coming off the lake. The forecast from NOAA:

Tonight: Scattered snow showers, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -6. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 17. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around -12. Calm wind.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 25. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around -7. Calm wind.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 31.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 4.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 33.

So it looks to me like the snow will be cold and abrasive. If you want to start prepping skis do a hot scrape and clean the bases. I would pick a cold base ski with a fine grind and start with Solda FC27. Crayon on the FC27 and drip on Solda Performance Green, Iron, scrape and brush. I would then apply a couple of layers of Solda F15 Blue and wait to watch the weather. For those of you interested there will be some people at the Birkie testing wax. Walter Knight, from Boulder Nordic Sports will be testing lots of waxes. He will have a BNS shop set up in Cable. Chris Wheaton will also be testing Solda waxes. Look for Chris in the Red Solda suit. I will post the wax as the Solda Team sees it on this Solda Wax Blog. Happy waxing.

Silver Fox and Cheri Walsh

2010-02-19T14:48:00.000-08:00

Because of the lack of snow in Hanover, the Silver Fox Trot is moved to Gunstock, NH and is now a classical race.

From what I heard, Gunstock got a few inches of snow this week so conditions should
be pretty good.
The NOAA forecast is:

Tonight: A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 7pm. 
Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. West wind between 11 and 15 mph. 
Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday: Mostly sunny,
with a high near 41. West wind around 15 mph.

Saturday Night:
Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. West wind between 11 and 13
mph.

Sunday: A slight chance of snow showers before 1pm.
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Northwest wind between 13 and 15
mph.  Chance of precipitation is 20%.

On a pair of plus base skis,
Base wax of Solda Performance yellow.

Race wax of Solda F40 yellow covered with Solda fluor 100 -- structure probably 1mm rills will be helpful
Use same glide wax for Freestyle race at Holderness on Sunday.

Kick for Saturday.

If newer snow - swix VR 60 or 70 (hard-wax)
If snow is corning up - swix KR 60 or 70 (klister)

Steamboat Ski Marathon, Catamount Ranch

2010-02-18T20:43:00.000-08:00

This is part of the Sven Wiik series. Sven was my mentor when I was a student at Western State College in 1966.
The current NOAA forecast is:

Friday: A 50 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 31. East southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 18. East southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Saturday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 32. East wind around 5 mph becoming west southwest. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Skis: Select a medium flex ski with a medium to fine grind.

Base wax: On clean bases start with a layer of a mix of Solda Performance Green and UF7 50/50.

Race wax: Go with a layer of Solda F31 Violet and finish with Solda HP05. If the snow is windblown, top coat with Solda S20.

Alternative if it is a bit warmer or more humid:

Base of Solda Performance Red and UF7 50/50.

Race wax: Solda F40 Red and finish with Solda HP04.

Have a good race.

Cowboy Pursuit, Larimie

2010-02-18T19:08:00.000-08:00

The Cowboy Pursuit is hosted by the University of Wyoming. It is a 10km skate race. The NOAA forecast is:

Tonight: Occasional snow, mainly before 11pm. Areas of fog. Low around 11. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southeast. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Friday: A 20 percent chance of snow before 11am. Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 27. Wind chill values as low as -5. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest.

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 12. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west.

Saturday: Snow likely, mainly after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 26. Wind chill values as low as zero. Breezy, with a southeast wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Skis: Select a medium flex ski with a medium to fine grind. I would pick one with a cold base if I had a choice.

Base wax: On clean bases start with a layer of a mix of Solda Performance Green and UF7 50/50.

Race wax: Go with a layer of Solda F31 Violet and finish with Solda HP05. If the snow is windblown, top coat with Solda S20.

Alternative if it is a bit warmer or more humid:

Base of Solda Performance Red and UF7 50/50.

Race wax: Solda F40 Red and finish with HP05.

Have a good race.

Cote Dame Marie Loppet

2010-02-18T17:31:00.000-08:00

This race is at Hanson Hills in Grayling, MI. Course is 15km or 30 km skate race. It looks like transformed snow. The current NOAA forecast is :

Tonight: Scattered flurries between 10pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. West wind around 10 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 32. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 12. West wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 31. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

My guess is abrasive, transformed snow. It could be colder than the 12F overnight. I would pick a medium to stiffer flex ski with a cold base and a medium/universal grind.

Base wax: On clean base start with Solda Performance Green, scraped and brushed.
Race wax: Go next with Solda F31 or F40 Violet, scraped and brushed. Finish with Solda HP05 - S30 mix 70/30.

If you have another pair of skis and can try a different wax for warmer conditions do the following:
Base wax: Mix Solda Performance Red and UF7 50/50, scraped and brushed.
Race wax: Solda F40 Red. Finish with HP05.

Have a good race.

Pre Birkie, Hayward, WI

2010-02-11T15:32:00.000-08:00

This is a race that goes on the Birkie trails, but in the opposite direction. It is a 42km or 26km skate race.

The NOAA forecast is:

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around -14. Calm wind.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 21. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around -8. Calm wind.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 22. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.

The weather looks stable, no new snow and consistently cold nights. This will produce cold transformed snow.

Skis: Pick a pair of medium to medium stiff cold base skis with a fine grind.
Base Wax: Rub on a layer of Solda HC28. Drip on a layer of Solda Performance Green, scrape and brush.
Race Wax: Solda F15 Blue covered with Solda HP05 - S30 mix 50/50.
Ski pair #2 I would try same base with Solda F15 Blue and HP06.

Owl Creek Chase

2010-02-11T12:24:00.000-08:00

Owl Creek is famous for the climbs. The first 2/3 of the race is mostly uphill. In the last 1/3 there are good downhills with a nearly flat finish. Total length is 21km. I have not skied the course, but it is at altitude and the snow is often fairly dry.

Skis: Pick a pair of medium flex cold base skis with a fine grind.
Base wax: Rub on a layer of Solda HC 28. Drip on Solda Performance Green and Solda UF7, iron and scrape.
Race wax: Solda F15 or F30 Violet. If there is not much new snow, and it looks like it will be abrasive old snow, top with Solda HP05 - S30 mix 50/50. Some like a layer of Powerjet 4 on top, roto corked and brushed. If it looks like it will warm nicely during the race and there is more newish snow on the course top with HP05.

The classic race Saturday looks to have similar conditions. I would prep classic skis with the same formula.
Kick wax will have to be tested on site. In any case, iron in a binder first. Swix VG30 or Toko Green Base. Iron and when ski has cooled, cork smooth.

North American Vasa, Traverse City

2010-02-11T11:34:00.000-08:00

The North American Vasa is a 27km skate or classic race. Classic skiers go out first at 8:30 and skate racers one hour later at 9:30. NOAA forecast is :

Friday: Scattered snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: Scattered flurries. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. North wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: Scattered flurries. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

There has been a little snow in the last couple days and they are trying to not till it in with the harder base. New snow is fine grained, cold and slow.

Skis: Pick a pair of medium flex cold base skis with a fine grind.
Base wax: Rub on a layer of Solda HC 28. Drip on Solda Performance Green and Solda UF7, iron and scrape.
Race wax: Solda F15 or F30 Violet. If there is not much new snow, and it looks like it will be abrasive old snow, top with Solda HP05 - S30 mix 50/50. If it looks like it will warm nicely during the race and there is more newish snow on the course top with HP05.

Glide wax for Sunday's Grand Traverse Classic race looks to be the same.

Mora Vasa Loppett

2010-02-11T11:07:00.000-08:00

This race is a 58km skate race on a fast, rolling course with a fair amount of skiing in open fields. It can be windy and have a wind blown snow surface for some of the race. Times are generally fairly fast for a race of this length.

Friday: A 20 percent chance of snow before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. Calm wind.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 5. Wind chill values between -3 and 2. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. Northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 2.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 22.

Skis: If you have a choice pick a pair of medium flex cold base skis with a fine grind. Remember that in cold snow you are looking for long contact zone of ski on snow.
Base wax: Rub on a layer of Solda HC 28. Drip on Solda Performance Green and iron it in, scrape and brush.
Race wax: Solda F15 or F31 Violet scraped and brushed. If it is not too windy and looks like it will warm up during the day, top with Solda HP05 - S30 mix 70/30 (or 50/50). If it looks to stay cold, has been and continues to be windy, top with Solda S32 or a mix of S20 and S30 in 50/50 ratio instead of the HP05 mix.

John Day Memorial

2010-02-11T10:39:00.000-08:00

The John Day Memorial is staged at Diamond Lake, Oregon On Sunday, February 14. Happy Valentines Day. It is a relatively flat course that is groomed specifically for the race. Weather forecast from NOAA looks damp:

Friday: Snow. High near 39. South southwest wind between 11 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Friday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Southwest wind between 13 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday: A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Snow level rising to 6100 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. South southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain and snow. Snow level 6100 feet lowering to 5300 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Sunday: A chance of rain and snow. Snow level 5300 feet rising to 6000 feet. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Skis: If you have a choice choose a medium to soft flex with a plus base and an aggressive warm snow grind.

Base wax: 50/50 mix of Solda Performance Yellow and Solda UF7, scraped and brushed.
Race wax: 50/50 mix of Solda F40 or F31 Yellow and F40 Red; second choice Solda F31 Orange. Top with Solda Fluor 100. Remember to brush the skis after they have cooled.
Structure: Use the coarse interupted roller with the Toko Structurerite tool. Apply this after waxing just before you do the Fluor top coat. Remember to brush well with horse hair after waxing.