PR0823 XC RACING MANUAL 11-07-08 14:10 Side i main sponsort xc PR0823 XC RACING MANUAL 11-07-08 14:10 Side ii ii SWIX SPORT NORDIC TECH MANUAL Swix takes pride in its 60 year history as one of the strongest and most recognized brand names in skiing. Followed by pioneering research work in the mid 40’s, the Astra Pharmaceutical Company introduced revolutionary ski waxes based upon synthetic materials. The new 3-colored system was a breakthrough for all skiers, and de- mystified and simplified waxing. The new Swix system of waxing replaced the unscientific and often secret concoctions of tar, beeswax, melted bicycle tire inner rubes, and phonograph records, to mention just a few of the obscure ingredients. Before long Swix waxes were found Founder of Swix, Martin Matsbo, is testing grip in the world over, and recreational skiers and 1946. racers alike realized a new level of enjoyment and success. In 1974 the Liljedahl ski pole factory merged with Swix. At that time bamboo poles were on the way out in recreational skiing and aluminum poles were being replaced with high tech composite materials in racing. In the end of the 80’s, Swix was the first to commercially introduce the 3rd generation ski wax, Cera F fluoro powder. “Cera F” has become Scientific glide testing in 1946. a standard within ski waxing and is a trademark of Swix. During its 60 year history Swix has compiled an unbeaten record of Olympic and World Championship victories. With this manual it is the objective to present the most up to date waxing methods based upon the feed back from our World Cup Service Teams. For more information about Swix products Test skier in speedtrap - 1946. please visit us web pages www.swixsport.com and www.swixschool.com. PR0823 XC RACING MANUAL 11-07-08 14:10 Side 1 SWIX SPORT NORDIC TECH MANUAL 1 Contents Why Wax Skis? . 2 Snow Classification System . 3 Structure in Ski Bases & Tools . 4 - 9 Swix Cera Nova System . 10 - 18 Base Brushing . 19 - 23 Ironing . 24 - 25 Swix Kick Waxes for Classic Skiing . 26 - 35 Post-Treatment of Stone Ground Skis . 37 - 39 Practical Application of Glide Waxes . 41 - 43 Application of Cera F . 44 - 57 EP Abrading Cross Country Skis . 58 - 59 Y ST Application of Hard Waxes . 60 - 61 Application of Base Klister . 62 EP B Application of Klisters . 63 ST After the Race - Base Cleaning . 64 - 66 SWIX SPORT AS Serviceboks, N-2626 Lillehammer Photos: Swix Sport AS & Scanpix Tlf.: 61 22 21 00 • Fax: 61 25 23 28 Printed on recycled paper in Norway by BK Gruppen www.swixsport.com PR0823 XC RACING MANUAL 11-07-08 14:10 Side 2 2 SWIX SPORT NORDIC TECH MANUAL Why do we wax/glide skis Factors Influencing Waxing The purpose of waxing is either to create friction, the proper steps for dealing with the increased or grip, in the case of kick wax, or to reduce it as water content of the snow. with glide wax. The intention with the waxing process is to make the ski base as compatible Humidity as possible with the features of the snow sur- Humidity is important, but more as a local cli- face. However, the snow conditions change with mate trend rather than a need to measure every time and temperature. Even when temperatures percentile. It is important to know if the competi- remain below freezing, time (hours and days) will tion is taking place in a dry climate, meaning progressively deform sharp, classic snow crys- average humidity below 50%; a normal climate tals into more rounded forms. We call this trans- of 50% to 80%, or a high humidity climate 80% formed snow. The higher the temperature, the to 100%. Beyond this, of course, is adjusting to faster the transformation will proceed. the situation of falling precipitation. Water also plays a significant role. Water molecules surround snow crystals as thin water Snow Granulation films even when temperatures are below the The appearance of the snow crystal and conse- freezing point. Above freezing, water plays a quent snow surface is important for wax selec- greater role as free water mixes with the snow tion. Falling, or very fresh new fallen snow is the pack. The distribution of water and ice will influ- most critical situation for waxing. The sharp crys- ence friction and abrasiveness. Therefore tals require a wax that will resist snow crystal modern Swix waxes take into consideration penetration, but at warmer temperatures must many factors in their formulation and composi- also have the ability to repel water. It is in this tion. The result is different waxes for different special, critical waxing situation that Cera F conditions. In this chapter Swix will guide you excels. through the main features of snow and friction to Man-made snow is today common racing make the choice of the proper ski wax easier. situations. Freshly made snow at cold temper- ature definitely require the addition of synthetic Temperature paraffin such as with CH4, LF4, HF4, HF4BW Taking a reading of the air temperature in the and CH6, LF6, HF6 and HF6BW. After man- shade is the first basic starting point for wax made snow has “settled” for some days and the selection. surrounding atmosphere has affected the snow This should be done at several points along surface, the gliding characteristics of the snow the course. Snow temperature at the surface can improve and normal waxing considerations also be helpful. But remember that once the tem- return. perature reaches the freezing point (0°C or At rising air temperatures above 0°C (32°F) 32°F), snow will remain at that temperature the snow temperature still remains at 0°C (32°F). regardless of rising air temperature. At this point The water surrounding the snow crystals increas- it is best to use air temperatures and focus on es until the snow pack becomes saturated with www.swixschool.com PR0823 XC RACING MANUAL 11-07-08 14:10 Side 3 SWIX SPORT NORDIC TECH MANUAL 3 Swix Snow Classification System water. Waxes that are highly water repellent and Group 3. coarse base structures are needed. The final stage of transformation. Uniform, rounded, bonded grains characterize Snow friction the snow surface. Also called “old” snow. The friction on ice and snow is a mixed friction. It means that it is neither a true dry friction nor Group 4. a true fluid friction. The contact is partly dry, Wet snow. If snow-grains belonging to group 1, partly wet. At very low temperatures the frictional 2 or 3 are exposed to warm weather, the result mechanisms gradually might be described by is wet snow. laws governing dry friction. At intermediate freezing temperatures, Group 5. around -4°C to -10°C (25°F to 14°F), the water Frozen or refrozen. When wet snow freezes it film between the frictional partners has the opti- is identified as group 5, characterized by large mal thickness to create low kinetic friction. grains with frozen melt water in between. Approaching the freezing point, the water film The snow surface is hard and icy, normally increases in thickness, and when conditions for requiring a klister as kick wax. melting is present, free water enters the system. The contact area between ski and snow increases and the friction will increase. Suction gradually builds up as the amount of water increases. Swix Snow Classification System Swix has introduced a simple classification system for snow identification. The symbols are created to help skiers find the best wax 1. NEW FALLEN SNOW 2. FINE GRAINED SNOW for actual conditions. Below freezing Below freezing Group 1. Falling and new fallen snow characterized by relatively sharp crystals, demanding relatively hard ski wax. 3. OLD / GRAINED / 4. WET CORN SNOW Group 2. TRANSFORMED SNOW Above freezing Below freezing An intermediate transformation stage, character- ized by grains no longer possible to identify as the original snow-crystal shape; often called “fine-grained” snow in ski-wax terminology. 5. FROZEN CORN (Old) SNOW (Melted/Frozen) Below freezing www.swixschool.com PR0823 XC RACING MANUAL 11-07-08 14:10 Side 4 4 SWIX SPORT NORDIC TECH MANUAL Structure Base Structures and Swix Rilling / Imprint Tools Structure is a term used to describe patterns therefore enhance the effectiveness of a basic cut into the base to reduce base contact on the stone ground base. snow and to release surface tension from water There is an important difference between films caused by base friction. These structure structures produced by machine and those pro- patterns are most often produced by stone duced by hand. Stone ground structures are cut grinding machines at the factory during produc- into the base, and are more permanent in nature. tion or by shops that specialize in the stone Hand structures use “imprint” tools that press the grinding process. It is also possible to produce structure into the base, and consequently are structures using hand tools. temporary. For a period of time there was much experi- Swix imprint tools have the advantage of mentation and testing of many types of patterns being easy and quick to use while at the same in order to find the best structure for different time offer the most adaptability of adjusting the snow types. The search with different stone structure to match the snow type. During the grinders, different structure depths, widths, process of rewaxing the heat from the iron will and patterns, all aiming to find “the ultimate cause the pattern to leave the base while keep- structure”, was overwhelming.