WAX TIP: 2012 American Birkiebeiner

Race day waxing can be hectic, so rest easy the night before the Birkie by waxing in advance.  Above, the author helps classic racers at the Mora Vasaloppet apply the klister of the day.

When:  23k, 52k, or 50k Freestyle / Classic. 10 waves, with the elites starting at 8AM at Telemark on Saturday

Forecast & Conditions:  Overnight low in between 5’F and 12’F with a temp in the mid teens at the start.  Daytime high will be in the mid to upper twenties. with mostly overcast conditions. The snow temp will be relatively cold.  Expect machined track conditions with a mix of primarily old and a bit of new snow.  Some dirt will be present in the snow – particularly on the final 15 k of the Birkie course on the south facing hills.  Classic tracks will be very firm and somewhat glazed.

Ski Flex Tips:  Moderate to firmly flexed skis for machined track conditions

Structure Tips:
Structure (Elite through wave 3):  Cold Universal Grind or a fine structure (1 pass with the Blue Toko Structure-Rite tool).  
Structure (Wave 4 and back):  Cold Universal Grind or a medium structure (1 pass with the Red Toko Structure-Rite tool).  

Glide Wax Tips:
Fast Wax (Elite through wave 3): HS-10 Teal, Scrape, Brush, HSF-10 Teal, Scrape, Brush.  Apply Flite #11 Cold (Blue) Flourocarbon ironed (using the Fast Wax Base Saver) or roto-corked in, brush with dedicated flouorcarbon brush, and polished with polishing pad.
Fast Wax (Wave 4 and later): HS-20 Blue, Scrape, Brush, HSF-20 Tan, Scrape, Brush.  For Apply Flite #11 Cold (Blue) Flourocarbon ironed (using the Fast Wax Base Saver) or roto-corked in, brush with dedicated Flouorcarbon brush, and polished with polishing pad. 

Swix (Elite through Wave 3):  LF-4, Scrape, Brush, HF-4BW, Scrape, Brush, FC-7 (Cold Cera) ironed in, brush with dedicated flouorcarbon brush, and polished with polishing pad
Swix (Wave 4 and later):  CH-7, Scrape, Brush, HF-7BW, Scrape, Brush, FC-8 (Med Cera) Ironed in, brush with dedicated flouorcarbon brush, and polished with polishing pad

Toko (Elite through Wave 3):  Dibloc LF Moly / Dibloc LF Blue mix (2 : 1 Ratio) Scrape, Brush, Dibloc HF Blue, scrape, brush, Jetstream Blue ironed or roto-corked in, brush with dedicated flouorcarbon brush, and polished with polishing pad
Toko (Wave 4 and later):  Dibloc LF Moly, Scrape, Brush, Dibloc HF Red scrape, brush, Jetstream Red ironed or roto-corked in, brush with dedicated flouorcarbon brush, and polished with polishing pad

Grip Wax Tips:
Swix:  Roughen grip zone with 150 grit sandpaper.  Apply KR-20 Base Binder Klister, iron, and smoothen with your thumb while still warm.  Wait to apply your grip wax of the day until Friday night, and check wax reports / weather.    The optimal grip wax of the day will likely be an ice klister (KR-30) lightly covered with a medium hard wax (VR-40).
Toko:  Roughen grip zone with 150 grit sandpaper.  Apply Base Green Klister, iron, and smoothen with your thumb while still warm.  Wait to apply your grip wax of the day until Friday night, and check wax reports / weather.    The optimal grip wax of the day will likely be an ice klister (Toko Red or Blue Klister) lightly covered with a medium hard wax (Toko Red Hard Wax).

Should you have any questions on Birkie ski prep, feel free to stop by or contact the expert ski technicians at Cyclova XC.  Have fun and see you on the trail!  Give a fun shout out to all of the Cyclova XC Team Skiers on the trail – as well as everyone wearing the Ski Like Landgraf Hats (note, we will have more in stock by Wednesday of next week)!