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TO THE WAXY WORLD OFHOLMENKOL MEWELCO TO THE WAXY WORLD OFHOLMENKOL

5 the waxmyth The ardent jumper, Max Fischer, was once again unsatisfied. As he jumped for the mists from HOLMENKOL today still con- umpteenth time from his favourite hill, the „HOLMENKOLLEN“ near Oslo in Norway, he duct research to find even better raw was convinced that it had to be possible to jump even further. Driven by his boundless material combinations for optimum ambition, Max Fischer (a doctor of chemistry) withdrew to his laboratory and tested for glide properties. But a real HOLMENKOL more than three years until he found the right formula. Skiwax was born. expert is only satisfied with the best. In Fischer named it after his favourite hill: HOLMENKOL. 1999, HOLMENKOL introduced the In 1922, he founded the „Vereinigte Wachswarenfabriken AG“ in Ditzingen, Germany. The pioneering new HYBRID technology to product range at that time included skiwaxes, shoe creams, leather fats, household the sector. candles, floor strippers and floor cleansers. The first skiwax product, „HOLMENKOL-MIX“, was manufactured in the same year. LHC (LOBA-HOLMENKOL-CHEMIE) is thus today the By HYBRID technology we mean a spe- oldest existing skiwax manufacturer in the world. cial laboratory process which allows The main demand made on a skiwax at that time was to provide a suitable protective concentrated active ingredients to be coating for the wooden surfaces of the , to make them more durable and impermea- filtered out from a wide range of raw ble. For optimum ski preparation, a „ski sole“ was therefore applied which generally materials and to be blended in new for- lasted for one season. Other, less abrasion-resistant methods, included the painting of mulae to produce a unique combination the wooden surfaces or the application of wood tar compounds (HOLMENKOL Express- of active substances. The outstanding Teer). A ski prepared in this way could already be waxed as the type and weather feature of this technology is that all conditions demanded. glide raw materials coming onto the In 1948/1949, HOLMENKOL then achieved a pioneering feat: A wax system based on market in the future can also be quickly synthetic raw materials was developed in which the colours (silver/red/blue) of the ski- and easily integrated into the formula- characterised the respective fields of application. The rapid further development tions at any time. This gives the user of the ski bases, particularly since the seventies, has naturally also had an effect on the the assurance of being able to rely on skiwax technology. New waxes have been developed in close cooperation with the ski and raw materials industries which are regularly tested and assessed by experienced the latest in modern wax technologies international ski racers and by the wax teams of various ski manufacturers and national with the HOLMENKOL hybrid waxes. teams. The highest demands made on skiwaxes needed for racing, set the standard for Independently of chemical raw material the product policy at HOLMENKOL. trends. Because experience pays and At the end of the eighties, HOLMENKOL made it possible for the first time to create an creates the basis for innovation. The individual composition of the skiwax mixtures for damp and wet snow conditions with successes create assurance and faith. the high-fluor additive GW 25. The glide raw material, , from HOLMENKOL Just concentrate on your , the proved to be the ideal material for these demands and very successfully triggered off the chemistry behind it is our business. development of the CHAMPION waxes and TOPSPEED products at the beginning of the That is why HOLMENKOL is always good nineties. CHAMPION waxes are ready-to-use wax mixtures with very high fluorocarbon for a sensation: Yesterday, today and contents. TOPSPEED products even consist completely of fluorocarbon mixtures. Both tomorrow! HYBRID - the skiwax of the product series simplify the choice of the „right“ wax mixture, particularly in racing future, naturally from applications, and have helped the world’s leading skiers to innumerable victories. Although the HOLMENKOL wax products already enjoyed an outstanding reputation HOLMENKOL. worldwide, the unique abrasion characteristics of the new wax collection and the simul- Thanks to Max Fischer. TECHNOLOGY taneous unrivalled glide properties have now given them legendary importance. With the same painstaking efforts as once Max Fischer, the service technicians and che-

MY6 THOS7 8 nordic PRODUCTS (W NO RA B S B SCIENCE BEHIND SNO W HIST CONTENTSW NORDIC TECHNIQUES TRI-MAXX NORDIC W AFETY HAZARDS WHILE W ASIC TUNING ASES AX AND ITS APPLICA AX CHOICE CE TUNING TES ORY OF SKI W AX T AX/T ABLE AX OOLS) W TIONS AXING S. 37 S. 23 S. 32 S. 30 S. 24 S. 12 S. 10 S. 6 S. 20 S. 18 S. 3 S. 16 S. 13 9 Proper preparation first demands an understanding of snow! There are good reasons why in former times proper waxing of the skis was regarded as „black magic“, comparable with the occult sciences of the alchemists in the Middle Ages: In its different forms, snow is just as diverse as nature itself. Its character depends on a large number of factors such as temperature, humidity, age and crystalline structure. Modern skiwax makes it easy today even for beginners to make the right choice - as long as he can form a clear picture of the condition of the snow and its possible chan- ges during the course of a day. Here - in very simple terms - are the four basic types of snow:

New snow is a crystalline, unadulterated form of the snowfla- New snow ke with delicate crystals which - depending on the tempera- ture - are harder at low temperatures and softer at higher temperature. These delicate crystals can be easily compacted during gliding and cause a / suction effect which can be prevented with an appropriate wax mixture and correspon- ding base texture. SCHNEEKUNDE Fine old snow Coarse old snow Slightly rounded new rounded corns, Fine-corn snow (old snow) has already undergone one or snow form, whereby the melted corns more transformation processes as a result of temperature rounded form is still changes which have caused the outer tips of the crystals to recognisable melt or break off and have led to a corn structure. Compared with new snow, the suction effect is less pronounced and the friction effect increases. Depending on the temperature the snow can be damp and heavily infiltrated with water or can Fine to coarse old snow Coarse old snow be dried out by the cold and wind. Round and oval corns Skeleton form and hollow form with edges and flat Coarse-corn snow (old snow) has completely lost its original surfaces form due to repeated melting and freezing processes and been transformed into a snow corn, in other words has become metamorphosed. We speak of old snow or coarse corn snow. Coarse old snow Depending on the corn size, a distinction is made between coarse-corn and fine-corn old snow (corn size between 1 and Full corns with edges and flat surfaces 3 mm). The most common forms of coarse corn snow are firn snow and crusted snow.

Degrading transformation Artificial snow or „machine snow“ confronts waxers with con- siderable problems, particularly due to its aggressiveness. Mechanical transformation Because of its high density and inhomogeneous form, this snow is very dull and demands a particularly high abrasion Restorative transformation resistance of the wax. The snow surface changes after a few transformation processes into more crystalline forms, the glide properties improve and less hard waxes can be used again. Despite its unfavourable characteristics, this is the most fre- For details of the application, quently encountered snow type at alpine events. please refer to the Waxcharts on the front fold-out page 10 11 12 o M Base science bases elasti son, sin TIP: ffers speci str r th a block. San Th Best appli paper (100-180 Surf sin scr od epeated n wax absorpti e ski to th e san with sinter an aper ern ski or boar g over th gr This base type is c an but n char T ds fr eater toughn can be pr r out an ter . Sm anspar d paper m d at th acterised by ed bases ar om san everth cati al qu ed bases um e ski with th ooth out afterwar e en d th y r er on ability on is attributed wh od aliti e sam ously ed ent eless din d e ski fr u d bases m ay be wr ess u . This pr ced with a wi es f ced g, use th ace) is used pri . T e pr , e tim or parti . o r om th ed e ski pad apped ar e with em omin ocess can be ust satisfy th e M g parti ove an ty d thanks to its an ds by pas base again e tip o cular con ood th e g Gr pr , gr Gr an d etal stan operti aphite en san e r ood gli . cularly in wet sn tly employed in r aphite bases aphite bases pr oun or an y f d th erm . g d es - diti e o d pr al con st impuriti e f d . With th e hi e pr otects th f differ on ollowin gh s ti-stati operti . d est possible loads u ctivi en eir ovi g d ow es acin e es t ad c - . - em g sports tod ditives an A d In or in with thr thin or wi th in ci wax tunin Stru (i.e wei Multi-sinter bases boar pr ds: Th Multi-sinter bases skis as well f g al Stru all temper tact ( 0,5;0,9;1,25) to th e base o outstan ood gli coun operti (differ ly suitable f ouble V Stru . STRUKTUR-MAXX) gh ctur , each base f d ds sin er to m ts o compon e ski after every . For this r ey sh try an es sh ee differ ctur es an en d g. d ay din f th f th e pr ce th e stru t m atur e is r . ould be ould be m g all-r ak d Sinter d ar e ski, a spe e in en operti or cr olecular ctur e a str e r ey e en ctur ownhill or sn equir ts) e equ orm divi ea an t stru oun e oss- xhibit ed ... e in es in - g have ai ow d ed es ad d u al gh ctur . al - e - - t e crystals rubbin sn Fri Gener surf Th Base Structur ces th Base stru ti or STRUKTUR-MAXX an on, even elimin ow e stru d pr cti ace between th . A g on while gli e gli o ally v fessi ctur Fin Middle Middle/coar Middle , fine Structur ctur i.e i.e ood stru din Coarse/ M e e o on Fin , coarse Sn . TRI-MAXX 0,9-1,25 mm i.e . TRI-MAXX 0,5-0,9 mm es can be m g char alid: STRUKTUR-MAXX ally with th g th . TRI-MAXX 0,9 mm f th e/ d , coar din ates it. TRI-MAXX e base ( th ctur e d e ski an ry acter o g stem oist- wet Sn , coarse Sn es en e hin ow/ N se Structur se Structur se water in th ad e TRI-MAXX s fr f th d sn e m d ers this fri ew Sn e con om sn e ski. ow) influen an ow ow

u A ally ow tact e ow e e e c - - TRI-MAXX 1,25 mm TRI-MAXX 0,5 mm TRI-MAXX 0,9 mm STRUKTUR-MAXX

13 BELAG TRI-MAXX

Three different interrupting structures

• 0,5 mm for dry snow • 0,9 mm for old – moist powder snow • 1,25 mm for wet to very wet snow

Application:

1. Place ski into a vice

2. Thoroughly scrape the ski with a metal scraper ( Nirosta) and wipe clean

3. Roughen the surface of the ski with a green Ski Pad or Sand paper

4. Wax as usual, Scrape Excess Wax with a Plastic Scraper and Brush

5. Take the Structuring Tool in your hands- observing the accurate direction of the structure tool, place it on the ski, so that a structure roll and a roll guide are set on the ski.

6. Apply pressure on the tool, slowly and without wobbling, move it along from the ski tip to the end.

7. Avoid going back and forth with the structuring tool as this ruins the structure more than helps.

8. Finally, brush through with a horsehair brush.

the concave roll guides max. 50 mm Ski width allow flexible positioning for all nordic car- ving skis Highlights

• Double V Structure with optimal water drainage • 3 Structures in one tool • ergonomic roll guides for precise structures • Flexible roll guides allow structures on any Nordic Ski (even carving) to be made

40 mm Ski width

14 15 16 T echnique ki A g optimize gli H this ar m n Sk Sk Classi Classic: g Tip: U grip zon In con With fin ood f ot have a gli ot wax ck zon or atin ood stru ating: e atten c is th se a so g is th oun ea (Ki tr e an es ar ast to th e in th es) as in Sk d ti ati ctur e tr din ck or Klister) (see W d Cold Sn on is placed appr e f e used in th fter wax wh on o din e mi g char aster m aditi e is equ e sk g zon Skating f base wax on it. d atin on dle o ate ski, th acteristi Classic ow a har al f e thr eth ally importan g Skis (see Sk en th e gli f th orm o od in cr ough e ski base cs din e sn d e classi , th f cr er on out th g zon ax T opri oss coun ow is warm oss coun e ski base sh t. (TRI-MAXX). able). e ate h ate T . (see W es (bef cal cr e len . Grip wax ot wax try skiin unin try skiin gth o oss coun or er an ax T g) e an ould have a es f it. Th es ar d coarse g. Th . In or able) d after th g in N try ski d e used in er er or d ef e is a . er to di or oes e c e . char Ki Grip ( If th about 2-2 1/2 sh ck wax F acter an distan as a base wax wh TIP: U alon th 2-3 Layers o or P too lon is too lon W Iced Ski: W Ski glides badly: W bad climbing char The ski slides back, TIP: Pr Based on Sno e ki e ki ax layer is too thi ax was appli ax too thin Gliding Zone oblems on the cat w es (H g it with a syn o ck zon w ck zon ce skiin se th der and fine sno g! W d in use w Kickw ar g! W d wax) an ax e is n e Cosmi es an f Ki oe sizes f ax is too so g ed too thi w T ax is too so ckwax ar d spr en plannin ot obvi ax emper th acteristics: c Ki ck. Ki d Klister differ eti orwar ead evenly ck Base W c cork. e used in ck. Ki ous on th w types ft atur ck Z ft d ca. 40-60 cm) g GRIP-W e on ck zon Kick Zone e is ax e ski, m en e alk Klister is appli back wh U usin spr ti f AX se Klister Sk ate fr or w ead evenly in th g th easur based on Air T et sno om on en on i e ball o e fr (even Apply ad Len (even Sh Rem by polishin w om th orten Ki e an ice patches ar gth , old, coar Klister ed in scale f ove i cy or coarse tr e 6/12 as a base f th tu tu en Ki oth al use o al use o Gliding Zone e en diti e ki e han ced ar emper er in ck Z g ck Z on ck zon d o se Sno on d al W eas an f so f har . TIP: f th on orm an atur e , apply less wax e ax Layers es by acks ft wax , e sh d wax e w and d wax again . oe d es) es) 17 WAXE Influences on the choice of wax

wet mid dry

Temperature Snow texture and snow moisture content As the world’s first wax company, The snow texture gives the most important indication as to the °CHolmenkol has taken not only the choice of the optimum wax. The corn size of the snow influences the air temperature but also and more abrasion resistance (friction effects) and the snow moisture content importantly the snow temperature the glide properties (suction effects). Holmenkol differentiates bet- and snow type, snow texture as ween new snow and fine corn/coarse corn old snow. These snow well as snow moisture content and types can also occur as dry, damp or wet snow. Each of these combi- relative humidity into considera- nations influences the choice of the ideal wax. Under certain conditi- WAXAUSWAHL tion during the development of its ons the snow can be very damp, while at the same time consisting of waxes. For this reason, Holmenkol sharp, hard crystals. In this case a very abrasion-resistant wax is indicates the corresponding needed which also offers excellent water-repellent properties. snow temperatures as the Holmenkol has taken the importance of the snow texture as an application temperatures important factor in the wax development with the introduction of for its racing waxes. Due the Hybrid Technology. This technology permits an unrivalled combi- to its greater density, snow nation of abrasion-resistant materials which nevertheless exhibit the changes its temperature far more best possible water-repellent properties. For this reason the other- slowly than the air; this means wise problematical artificial snow no longer presents any difficulties that the snow temperature remains for the choice of wax. more constant even under extreme Furthermore, the snow texture is significantly affected by the wind. weather conditions (such as High New snow or damp old snow is quickly dried out by the wind. The Dry Winds) than the air temperatu- snow becomes more aggressive and harder wax mixtures are needed re. As a result, significant differen- although the snow temperature remains the same. In addition, ces in temperature between air and strong wind breaks down the fine crystalline structures of new snow snow can occur. and the snow surface. This leads to a compaction of the snow and higher friction effects between snow and ski/board base.

TECHNOLOGY

18 19 20 base an cleanin Base wax Appli o to 140 W on-r pr T with flu th carbon wax Pr GW25. (SI33 with hi ten r ad th sector d wax system f H H ace wax opSpeed pr ff in har em olm yd ax od ed e basis f ese h apted to certain con t) or even to be upgr r charts an esistan omin u ocarbon wax enk cati ce a str . H ds in th ° g wax Hy yd d th or C. Mixin ol ar es with th es can also be used as on temper olm d an r dr ocarbon wax . en ocarbon wax (Cosmi or th t) bon es as base wax tly e flu ocarbon w od es (ir ed enk or th on e an in gh m , h e tr u , warm con e wax build g cts g r ol ad or Hot er (m owever es fr cP on an d between ski e hi ainin ocarbon wax oistur . Base wax ati e Flu atur ack) d ditives allow os: see epen om gh or es an ax g an es to be diti e: 110 , h or A e abr e con est ad es diti d scr es f d yd on ed to up d r en d d on). r s ditiv asi es o ° - t orm ace ape - C es - . w ax m Th Flu stan pr techn th with m qu with hi r Flu spectrum o optim sn optimised f ty in ar active in Mixin to 145 Appli with th con ead an . Th e th gly suitable f operti e n ow types an ese wax ality adh or or es diti uf ce in an unrivalled y-to-use r ocarbon wax ocarbon wax cati ew H g r ology combin ese pr um gli er actur ° Fluor axim on gh flu e Flu ef C. es o ati gr on temper s (h or es ar ybri (Cosmi edi os: see W f appli ed by H esive an or e um abr e char od f th ocarbon w d or A orin e char umi en and their d T ace wax mixtur u d f e d or d xtr cts can be furth e world’s hi ts d cGli e con dity > 75%) echn or hi es ar es ar ditiv GW25. cati acterised by . Th em eveloped an asi olm es th atur amp an acteristi d gli ax d ely d on on r ology ese wax gh h e) e speci e outstan charts ten enk ax TECHNOLOGY , br e: 110 s din e best . es esi ts amp ol with umi d wet oad . This g gh . cs - . al es ° es est di d C er d - - application very cold on sistan an wax in or waxin wax. This powd For e Cold P eith con d to in s . diti er as a base bef xtr g or tog ce o owd on em , i cr d s: f th er is an in er to pr ely aggr Cold P ease th cy an e appli eth er is ir d har er with a h o otect th e abr w essive an or der d ed wax epen d con e th on asi ed on e h on r e ski d diti es in en d cold ot ot t e - - T appli an ve lead wax finish to give you th by th can be work r d d 100% hi even over lon hi tr T finish to th a finishin m a so a n In coarser sn d th „Hi cork. an th T cork. ar T sible cr T T in in es opSpeed P OPSPEED P OPSPEED pr OPSPEED P OPSPEED STI OPSPEED pr er f u u em arily f oss-coun e rubbed on an gh to th to th e base with a h e base sparin d vari cts ar cts: In fin d after airin , T gh en ylon brush an Pur ft cloth. est speeds to be achi e acceler . or warm an cati e H OPSPEED o (T e fluorinated pr e base with a finishin e base with a finishin . A or d e ad able soluti gh-tech flu opSpeed PF Seri on ybri d“ f g cork. Ir s a sti try sports is also pos s ower PF 41/PF 51 f e waxin owd aste 0/6 is appli ownhill sports) with . ed in diti d T od od e sn or all T ow ati CK 0/2 an g distan g can be work u u gly with a spon echn er PF 41/PF 51 on , brush out with d cold temper ffers an optim on values an cts en cts ar ck, paste or pow ow d polish with to th d th orsehair brush. ally upgr on f onin g pr , brush out orin OPSPEED pr ology as a en work e th ces able e e base (pri or all ocess g in o ated pr d 8/15 oducts es) . Th e d e fin eved ad x ed to . ecisi ed d e g g ed ed - f atu um al o or g o - - e - - - - -

21 WAXE Safety precautions during waxing

Instructions for the application temperature are given on the packaging of all Holmenkol hot and race waxes. Nevertheless, certain precautions have to be taken and certain rules observed during the work in any workshop when preparing skis or boards:

● Ensure good ventilation of the working area at all times!

● Do not expose waxes to open flames!

● Use only special waxing irons!

● The specified wax temperatures should not be exceeded! (Avoid causing smoke!)

● Highly fluorinated products (CosmicGlide/ SnowChamp Systems) should be ironed in at 110°C to max. 145°C and degrees. TOPSPEED products at 90°C to 95°C. Higher temperatures are not necessary. (Avoid causing smoke!)

● When brushing out the base with the SpeedBrush (rotating brush), microscopical- ly fine wax particles are swirled around. We recommend the use of a face mask and gog- gles to protect the airways and eyes.

● If base cleaners are used, ensure good ventilation of the working area at all times and on no account breathe in the fumes directly! PRÄPARATION PRÄPARATION

22 !23 Kickwax Preparation Klister Tuning The products described in the following pages can be found from 37–38. The products described in the following pages can be found from 37–38.

1. Place the ski firmly on 1. Place the ski firmly the vice. on the vice.

2. Sand paper the kick zone 2. Sand paper the kick zone thoroughly ( Coarse 120) thoroughly ( Coarse 120) BASIC-TUNING

3. Apply the klister in scale form and rub into the base using the ball of the hand. 3. Apply the Kick Wax evenly Tip: Fish scales with diffe- ring klister waxes can also Tip: Kick Waxes can be be combined. layered on top of each other.

4. Used out in the open 4. Spread the Kick Wax the Power Jet (Gas Burner) evenly with the synthetic is used to slightly heat and cork. spread the skare/base wax

Example: Example: Old Powder Snow, Snow Temperature –5°c, Air temperature +3°c, Ski Old wet snow (coarse), Snow temperatures –1°c, distance about 20-30 km. Apply the base wax thinly and cork in (when Air temperature +3°C, ski distance about 20-30 km an iron is used, allow the wax to dry first before applying other layers) Apply Cosmic Klister 0/3 with cosmic Klister special black in proportion and Cosmic Kick 3/8 and 0/4 apply in thin layers and spread with the cork. spread. Repeat this about 3-4 times. Under the same conditions, but rather at high humidity, use Cosmic Kick Fluor 3/8 and 0/4. Use a layer of the Skare 6/12 as a base when applying Klister Fluor Speed 0/3 as well as Fluor 6/6

24 25 Basic Tuning of Glide Tuning the Glide Zone and Kick Zones

1. Secure skis with supports on a Vice. TUNING 1. Brush the base with a bronze brush and remove old wax

2. Scrape evenly with a Nirosta scrapper (Metal Scraper)

2. Drip folit strips into any damaged areas

3. Roughen the Kick and Gliding zones with a ski pad or sand paper 3. File off excess folit strips forming a flat surface again...

... or scrape off with a metal scraper

4. Remove scraping with a metal scraper

4. Smooth out with the use of a ski pad or sand paper 5. Apply a base wax only on the gliding zones. CAUTION: Tape over the kick zones for protection.

26 27 TUNING

5. Clean off the surface 7. Remove wax from the by using a care wax, groove and side walls and cool, scrape off , and brush out. brush out. This can be repeated often. It Tip: This can be repeated – improves the hold of smoother surface base the wax

6. Apply the racing wax (CosmicKlister) and allow to cool

A 8. Add a new structure with a structure tool( Struktur- MAXX or Tri-Maxx)

9. Work in with a nylon brush 27

28 29 Use only one of the following TOPSPEED Fluorinated Products After the race... (depending on the snow conditions).

10/A TOPSPEED PF 41 Classic-Ski – spray the

or PF 51: spread powder TUNING kick zone with a cleaner evenly or Wax-AB. or

10/B TOPSPEED-Stick 0/2 or 8/15: apply generously or RACE TUNIG

10/C TOPSPEED-Paste 0/6: apply thin and evenly, allow to air out

11. TOPSPEED-Products may be carefully ironed into the base (max. 80°C – 90°C)

TIP: Work in with a hair dryer

12. All TOPSPEED-Products will be rubbed into the base with cork or felt

After using the ski (Race/Training) brush out the base and 13. Brush the base with apply a base or care a speedbrush or base brush wax again. Do not always from the tip of the ski scrape off the wax. to the end. Brush the base with 10/A – 10/C by using a nylon brush (for warm and wet snow) or a horsehair brush (colder/finer/dry snow). Brush again at the end using a soft nylon brush.

30 31 NOTES NOTES

32 33 RACE NOTES RACE NOTES Locati Date Even Air temper Sn H W Disciplin W Sn Sn umi ax mixtur eath ow temper ow type ow m t dity on er oistur e atur e used atur e con e e ten t t ten e e e con atur e used atur e oistur er on dity t ow type ow m ow temper eath ax mixtur umi Sn W Disciplin W Sn H Sn Date Locati Air temper 34 Even 35 NOTES

36