Here are some excellent waxing tips this weekend’s races. Prepared by Damian Bolduc. Please note that the races at Rikert are NO FLUORO. Keep an eye on the forecast as new snow and colder temperatures could prevail.
St. Michael’s Time Trial at Sleepy Hollow 10AM, 10KM
Central VT Ski Coop Time Trial at Rikert 11AM, 5/10KM
Beginner/Budget Option
Wax recommendations assuming you have the wax and tools available in the ToKo Training Wax Kit
Glide: ToKo Red mixed with ToKo Blue.
Directions:
ToKo Blue is a very difficult wax to work with due to its high melting point. The temperatures and conditions this weekend are good for inexperienced waxers to learn how to work with it in a way that is safer for the ski base. I do not recommend first time waxers start with Toko Blue, nor do I recommend it be the first wax applied to a ski. With that in mind I give the two following wax recommendations. The first one ToKo Red Mixed with ToKo Blue for new skis and inexperienced waxers and the Second ToKo Grey warm scraped with an application of ToKo Blue for people with seasoned skis and more waxing experience.
Apply ToKo Red and iron in. Once Red has been applied and before you scrape, drip ToKo Blue onto the Red. 1 drop every 2 inches on each side of the groove is good. Do another pass with the iron to mix. Let the ski cool completely, scrape and brush.
Conditions will be a mix of man-made snow and newly fallen snow as well as the chance for snow falling during the race. In the days leading to the race temps will be warm, but will be dropping in the hours prior to the race. Snow is likely to be falling at this time as well. Falling snow temps will be in the low to mid teens at this time and the snow will be very abrasive. The race will consist of laps and with the expected field the man-made base will be mixed in as the race goes on.
Blue will be the wax of the day based on temperature.
For more experienced waxers using seasoned skis (Waxed at least 5 times) an application of ToKo Grey and Toko Blue will work very well. Apply the ToKo Grey to the base, warm scrape and immediately drip on the ToKo Blue with the base still warm. One Drop every 2 inches each side of the groove. Iron in with care not to get the bases too hot. You should be able to touch the bases. Let the ski cool. When it is time to scrape you will notice that the ToKo Blue wax on the ski is cracked and chipped. When scraping, this will shatter off the ski and tear out of the bases. To avoid this and improve the application of the wax, make one or two quick passes with the iron at temperature just prior to scraping the ski. This will warm the wax on top of the ski a little and make it easier to scrape off. The ski should be at room temp when scraping.
The Grey will serve two purposes in this application. Its properties will improve the ski in the man-made snow and it will serve as a base warming wax. ToKo Blue is much easier to work on warm bases. If the ski has some heat in it you will spend less time trying to smooth Toko Blue and it will adhere to the ski more easily. Also warming the excess wax on top of the ski prior to scraping it off makes for a better application. Be careful not to heat the base too much. The ski should not feel warm with scraping off the ToKo Blue wax.
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