Solda Wax Recommendations

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.

Boulder update

2010-02-05T18:29:00.001-08:00

We skied up on the course today. Snow temps on the surface were about 23F and down deeper it was 18F. There was about 1-2 inches of new snow this morning and that is what we tested on . What ran best for me was Solda F40 Red and HP04. The clouds are beginning to clear a bit. The groomers will work tonight. My hunch is to go with F40 Red and HP05 to deal with the colder snow they will bring up and the overnight air that will till down. I will prep on more cold base ski with F40 Violet and HP05 just incase it gets really cold, but believe the Red combo with work.

Have a good race. I am on my way to the garage to apply powders.

Bert

Trapp Update

2010-02-04T11:13:00.000-08:00

Peter Hall, who is on the ground in New England sent me the following

Based on Accuweather forecast - and what I've heard for Stowe VT area -
looks like mostly old snow tilled up for the races.  21F for high on
Saturday and 20F for high on Sunday.

I would try Solda F31 Violet covered with Solda S20 for both days - well brushed.
Another combination that may work well would be Solda F15 or F31 Violet covered with
an S-30/HP-05    50%/50% mix.

For Saturday's classic race (only 5km for woman and 10km men) - I would
recommend Toko Green hard wax base binder ironed in and cooled - cover
with Ski-Go HF Blue (-2 to -20F) "old snow"  -  Recommend applying 3-4
very thin layers well corked.  The 5km loop is mostly downhill with a
steady climb over the last ~2km to finish.

This is close to what I came up with from here in Bend. Remember, there are different
ways to have fast skis in cold abrasive snow. Also remember HP05 has a great history
in that condition. I was told that the Swedish winners of the recent Marcialona race in
Italy were on HP05.

Have a good race,

Bert

February 6, 2010 Solda race waxes

2010-02-03T21:17:00.000-08:00

Boulder Mountain Tour, Idaho.

32km freestyle race. The current NOAA forecast for the race area:

Friday: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 37. South southwest wind between 3 and 7 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 13. Light and variable wind. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday: A 50 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 37. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Remembering that the snow in the upper Wood River Valley skis colder than it may read, I am going to prepare a pair of cold base skis with a fairly fine grind as follows:

Base of Solda UF 7 scraped and brushed. Next a layer of Solda F40 Red scraped and brushed. I am going to follow up with Solda F40 Violet and top with Solda HP05.

If you have two pairs of skis prep the other with UF7, F40 Red and HP04.

If things change I will update on Friday evening.

WHITE PINE STAMPEDE, MANCELONA, MICHIGAN

This skate race is on trails that are not skied all the time. There may be a little new snow tilled in with the old snow.

NOAA forecast is :

Friday: Flurries. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Flurries. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 12. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 23.

I would prep a pair of medium flex skis with a fairly fine grind starting with Solda UF7. Then layer Solda F31 and F40 Violet and top with HP05.

NENSA EASTERN CUP TRAPP FAMILY LODGE NEAR STOWE, VT

It has been cold and fairly dry. Expect transformed snow that is quite abrasive.

Friday: A slight chance of snow showers after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 23. Wind chill values as low as -4. North wind between 3 and 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 3. Light north wind.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 20.

On a pair of medium to medium stiff skis start with a base of Solda Performance Green. Then a couple layers of Solda F15 Blue. Finish with Solda HP05/S30 mix 70/30.

Craftsbury Marathon and Masters Nationals

2010-01-28T17:41:00.000-08:00

Good old New England winter. First snow, then warm and rainy, now frigid. The snow is old and cold and hard.

The NOAA forecast is:

Friday: A chance of snow showers. Cloudy and cold, with a high near 6. Wind chill values as low as -15. Northwest wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night: A chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around -2. Wind chill values as low as -16. Northwest wind between 8 and 13 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday: Cloudy, with a high near 12. Wind chill values as low as -18. North wind between 7 and 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Iam banking on a little new snow. I would select a pair of cold base skis with a fine grind.

SOLDA Glide wax: On clean bases start by rubbing on a layer of Solda HC28. Over this melt in a base of Solda Performance Green. Scrape and brush. Then a layer of Solda F15 Blue, scraped and brused. At this point I would cover with Solda S20 if there is a lot of windblown snow in the tracks, or long areas of wind blown snow. If the wind is not too bad, then I would finish with HP05 S30 mix 70/30. Should there actually turn out to be significant new snow I would prep the same up to the F15 Blue. After that I would go with Solda S30 and cover with HP06. In new natural snow it also runs in a wider temperature range.

Kick wax could be quite tricky. If new snow in tracks I would go with a binder of Swix VG30 ironed in and corked. Then look at snow temps morning of the race. If tracks are transformed fine grain or coarse grain then I would go with the VG35 as a binder. It could be a klister if there is lots of icy track. Go with a Swix KR30 and then cover with appropriate, probably KR20. Be ready to use a base klister and cover with a hard wax if it is snowing or has loose snow in tracks.

Good Luck

Noquemanon 2010

2010-01-28T14:56:00.000-08:00

As always the Noque throws stuff at you. After the mild and wet, now the frigid and dry. Wind. Ice. Thin. Some possibility of new snow. Wind blown snow.

The NOAA forecast right now is:

Friday: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 12. Wind chill values between -10 and -20. North wind between 5 and 10 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around -6. Wind chill values between -10 and -20. West wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 15. Wind chill values between -5 and -15. West wind between 5 and 10 mph. Looks as though the humidity will be about 90 % at the start and 59% at the finish.

If I were racing I would start with skis with a cold base and a fine grind. This would be for the classic or for the skate.

SOLDA Glide wax: On clean bases start by rubbing on a layer of Solda HC28. Over this melt in a base of Solda Performance Green. Scrape and brush. Then a layer of Solda F15 Blue, scraped and brused. At this point I would cover with Solda S20 if there is a lot of windblown snow in the tracks, or long areas of wind blown snow. If the wind is not too bad, then I would finish with HP05 S30 mix 50/50.

Glide wax could be quite tricky. If new snow in tracks I would go with a binder of Swix VG30 ironed in and corked. Then look at snow temps morning of the race. If tracks are transformed fine grain or coarse grain then I would go with the VG35 as a binder. It could be a klister if there is lots of icey track. Go with a Swix KR30 and then cover with appropriate, probably KR20. Be ready to cover the klister with a hard wax if it is snowing or has loose snow in tracks.

Good luck

Michigan Cup Garland Gripper and Glider

2010-01-22T12:07:00.001-08:00

This is a two day race with the classic on Saturday and Skate on Sunday. Located at the Garland Resort in Lewiston, MI

NOAA weather sounds wet:

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. East wind around 10 mph.

Saturday: A chance of drizzle or freezing drizzle after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. Southeast wind around 10 mph.

Saturday Night: A chance of drizzle or freezing drizzle before 7pm, then rain or freezing rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 30. Southeast wind between 10 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no ice accumulation expected.

Sunday: Rain before 1pm, then rain and snow. Areas of fog before 1pm. High near 37. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

SOLDA Glide wax: Pick your best klister skis. Prepare the glide zones with a base of SOLDA UF7, scrape and brush. If it is above 30, then go with SOLDA F31 or F40 Yellow. Apply a coarse linear rill after brushing. Top with SOLDA Fluor 100 or Powerjet 1. This should be the glide formula for both days.

Kick wax is likely to be a klister and must be tested on sight. I would be tempted to try a Rode Multigrade.

White Mt Classic

2010-01-22T12:07:00.000-08:00

White Mt Classic

This is a 30 km classic race in Jackson NH. The NOAA forecast is :

This Afternoon: Sunny, with a high near 31. North wind around 10 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around -6. Northwest wind between 3 and 9 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 28. Wind chill values as low as -12. Light northwest wind.

Looks like transformed snow. I would prep a pair of cold base skis with medium to soft flex. If the track is glazed you might want to consider klister skis.

SOLDA Glide wax: On the glide zone crayon on a layer of FC28 and start with a layer of Performance Green scraped and brushed. If is stays cold, then go with a layer or two of F15 Blue. Finish with the HP05 S/30 mix. If it looks like it will be warmer at the start (22F) go with F15 or F31 Violet instead of F15 Blue and cover with HP05 S30 mix.

Kick wax: I am not there. Sounds like it could be cold on a glazed track. That could be an ice klister. Could also be a klister binder covered with a hard wax. In any case the snow is abrasive and will need a binder. The Swix VG 35 could work for aggressive snow. Testing today and tomorrow is a must.