This article is provided by TorbjornSport/SOLDA Glide Wax, one of Fasterskier.com sponsors.
Many TorbjornSport members participated in the recent US Masters Nationals in Marquette, Michigan. The conditions were with the exception of the first race, the 30/20 kilometer skate race cold and windblown. We had very good skis in all four races. Here is what we waxed with as well some details regarding application of cold waxes and some suggestions on when to choose synthetic waxes versus fluorinated or fluorocarbons in cold snow.
Wax combinations used at Masters Nationals
30 k freestyle -three inches of new snow, temperatures in the mid to high twenties. Medium/high humidity.
Wax: Base of SOLDA S-30 over F-15 Violet covered with HPO5 Fluorocarbon.
I would have changed to using F-31 Violet as base if I had more time (and energy) available that morning, but I was convinced that it would work well and it did — great skis.
Other possible good combinations: SOLDA Cold Fluor or mix of Cold Fluor and HPO5 over F-31 Violet.
Relay and Pursuit — a few inches of new snow, 3-4 Fahrenheit, medium humidity, windblown
Wax: SOLDA S-30 over S-20 — great skis
15 kilometer Classic — New cold windblown snow. Low of -6 F and high of 3 F
Wax: SOLDA F-15 Violet as base, HC28 (black hydro carbon) covered with S-30. Great skis for the conditions.
Fluorocarbons or Synthetic Cold waxes?
I suggest that you avoid fluorocarbons when the conditions are truly cold and the humidity low or medium and will remain that way during the race. Cold synthetic waxes like SOLDA S-20 S-30 will in these conditions be the fastest also in a long race.
 is also a good reason for choosing HPO5.</p>
<p>This wax is great for tricky snow where regular Fluorocarbons don’t work well. This wax is also available in spray form — it works!</p>
<p>The Italians had great skis in several races at the 1994 Olympics on SOLDA S-30 with SOLDA Cold Fluor on top. The snow and temperature was very cold early in the morning – -25 Celsius, then the sun came up and hit the tracks. This increased the water content in the snow for the 10 AM starts, however it was still cold. That combo is still great, but my choice for these conditions today would undoubtedly have been SOLDA S-30 with HPO5 on top.</p>
<p>I prefer fluorinated waxes like SOLDA F-15 and F-31 Violet and Blue as base when the temperatures are medium cold (10 F and warmer). I still use the synthetic waxes S-30 and S-20 all the way up to 25F if the snow is cold and dry.</p>
<p>I spray on HPO5 or Fluor if it suddenly changes to high humidity prior to start.</p>
<p>Change to Fluorocarbons (SOLDA PowerJet 2 or 4, HPO5 or Cold Fluor Powder) with increasing humidity or snow moisture content.</p>
<p>S-20 Antistatic (-4 to 23 F)<BR><img decoding= "Edit/Preview")
