Event
SWIX 2006 Pursuit Championships
Devil’s Thumb Ranch Nordic Center, Tabernash, Colorado
Saturday, January 21st
10 am mass start for 7.5K classic/7.5K skate continuous pursuit

Forecast:
A snowstorm moved into the area on Wed. evening, bringing possible accumulations of 12” of new snow by Fri. Fri. night should be mostly clear w/ a low of -15 F, with Sat. highs in the mid-20’s. Race time temp. approx. 18-22 F., w/ partly cloudy skys. Snow temps should stay cold.

Ski Selection: Cold snow, soft powder ski
Base Prep: Classic skis: Clean kick zone with SWIX base cleaner and Fiberlene, then sand kick zone with 100 grit sandpaper(T0011). Skate & classic glide: Clean skis w/ SWIX Base Prep (BP88). Scrape & brush w/ course bronze (T0158) or NEW fine steel (T0192). This is very important to “open” up the base to receive race wax.
Structure: Fine linear grind for cold snow. No need to add any.

Glide Wax
Race Wax: Iron in a first layer of SWIX LF6 (blue), scrape and brush w/ SWIX Fine Steel brush. Iron in a second layer of LF6, but this time sprinkle in SWIX LF3 cold powder. Scrape & brush as with 1st layer.

Kick Wax
Binder Wax: Apply SWIX VG35, either cork smooth or iron & cork smooth, cover w/ one layer of SWIX V40 Blue Extra, and cork smooth, again.
Race Wax: Start with 5 thin layers of SWIX VR30 (light blue). If you need a little more grip, add a layer of SWIX VR40 (blue). You may want to cover this w/ another layer of VR30.

Note: This is the 12th annual SWIX Pursuit @ Devil’s Thumb Ranch. The race has been won on SWIX wax (glide & kick), for the last six years, and 10 out of 12 times, overall. With a mid-January race date each year, the winning wax has usually been SWIX CH4/LF4 or LF6, with a blue hard wax for kick.
Believe the FACTS, not the HYPE!
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Event
Sawmill 15km Freestyle and Junior Olympic Qualifier
Northstar XC, California
Sunday January 22, 2006, 10:30am
5/10/15km Freestyle

Forecast: Saturday night 30% chance of snow. Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers during the day Sunday. Low 18F, High 38F.

Ski Selection: medium flex ski
Base Prep: Clean skis with Swix CH10 or Swix Base Prep 088. Scrape and brush using Course Bronze Brush (T0158) or new Fine Steel brush (T0192). This is very important to “open” up the base to receive race wax.
Thrifty Base Prep: Apply layer of Swix CH8. Scrape and brush with Swix Fine Steel Brush (T0192) or Medium Bronze Brush (T0162B).
Mid-Range Budget Base Prep: Apply layer of Swix LF8. Scrape and brush with Swix Fine Steel Brush (T0192) or Medium Bronze Brush (T0162B).
Speed at all Cost Base Prep: Apply layer of Swix LF8. Scrape and brush with Swix Fine Steel Brush (T0192) or Medium Bronze Brush (T0162B).

Glide Wax
Thrifty Race Wax: Apply layer of Swix LF8. Scrape and brush with Swix Fine Steel Brush (T0192) or Medium Bronze Brush (T0162B. Finish polish with Swix Blue Nylon Brush (T0160B).
Mid-Range Budget Race Wax: Apply Swix HF 8. Scrape and brush with Swix Fine Steel Brush (T0192) or Medium Bronze Brush. Finish polish with Swix Blue Nylon Brush (T0160B).
Speed at all Cost Race Wax: Apply Swix HF 8. Scrape and brush with Swix Fine Steel Brush (T0192) or Medium Bronze Brush. Apply Swix FC08 Powder. Iron in. Brush out using stiff black nylon brush (T0194) followed by Blue Nylon (T0160).
Structure: Linear structure, applied with the Swix Super Riller (T0401). Apply the .5mm rill. Do this after you have scraped final race wax layer, then brush.

Note: HF 8, along with HF 7, is the most widely used wax on the World Cup. Both these waxes brought top results at the Skogsloppet on January 16th: the top three men and top two women used a combination of Swix HF 7 or HF 8 covered by FC 7, FC 8, or FC 1 Turbo. HF 8 is always covered with FC08 Powder or FC01 Turbo Solid to maximize glide.
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Event
Truckee High School Sprints
Surprise Stadium, California
Friday January 20, 2006, 1:00pm
.7km Freestyle

Forecast: Partly cloudy most of Friday with a low of 15F overnight and a high of 33F mid-afternoon.

Ski Selection: medium flex ski
Base Prep: Clean skis with Swix CH 8, CH 10 or Swix Base Prep 088. Scrape and brush using Course Bronze Brush (T0158) or new Fine Steel brush (T0192). This is very important to “open” up the base to receive race wax.
Base Prep: Apply layer of Swix LF 8. Scrape and brush with Swix Fine Steel Brush (T0192) or Medium Bronze Brush (T0162B).

GLIDE WAX
Economy Race Wax: Apply layer of Swix LF 8. Scrape and brush with Swix Fine Steel Brush (T0192) or Medium Bronze Brush (T0162B. Finish polish with Swix Blue Nylon Brush (T0160B).
Mid-Range Budget Race Wax: Apply Swix HF 8. Scrape and brush with Swix Fine Steel Brush (T0192) or Medium Bronze Brush. Finish polish with Swix Blue Nylon Brush (T0160B).
Speed at all Cost Race Wax: Apply Swix HF 8. Scrape and brush with Swix Fine Steel Brush (T0192) or Medium Bronze Brush. Crayon on FC 1 Turbo Solid, cork vigorously, and brush out with a soft blue nylon polishing brush.

Structure: Linear structure, applied with the Swix Super Riller (T0401). Apply the .5mm rill. Do this after you have scraped final race wax layer, then brush.
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Event
2006 Great Nordeen
Mt. Bachelor Resort
Saturday, January 21st, 2006 Freestyle Event

Forecast: Friday night low of 18F to 24F and Saturday a high of 23F to 34F with snow showers likely.

Ski Selection: Soft/Medium powder skate ski
Base Prep: Clean skis with CH10 or BP088 scrape and brush using Fine Steel Brush.
Structure: Fine linear, Can be applied with the Swix Super Riller using the fine .5mm blade

Glide Wax
Base Race Wax: Apply CH7, scrape and brush using Fine Steel Brush.

Race Wax: Apply HF 7 as normal and then iron FC7 for durability, scrape and brush out using Black Nylon then Horsehair brushes.

Note: The course is in good condition overall, with lots of new snow and generally soft conditions. Waxing suggestions are subject to change with weather.
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Event:
Teton Ridge Classic at Teton Ridge Ranch
10 miles Northeast of Driggs, Idaho
Race Time: 10:00 Sat. Jan 21, 2006

Forecast: Friday night low 6-13 F, Saturday highs of 19-26F. A slight chance of snow is possible.
Ski Selection: Med flex ski for cold snow!

Base Prep: Clean the glide zone by brushing 10 strokes with the TO182B or TO162B bronze brush. Clean kick zone with Swix base cleaner and Fiberlene, sand kick zone with 100grit sandpaper

Structure: Extra fine linear. Can be applied with the Swix Super Riller using the fine .33mm blade

Glide Wax
Race Wax: Apply Swix LF6. Let wax cool and then scrape with a sharp scraper. Brush with the TO182B or TO162B brush. Final brushing can be done with the Black Nylon or Horsehair brushes.

Kick Wax
Binder Wax: Apply VG35
Race Wax: Apply 4 thin layers of VR30 or V30 kick wax. If more kick is desired you may wax with VR40 orV40.

Note: This is a beautiful course with narrow trails placed through rolling terrain. The hills are long and gradual with fun curvy descents. The trail is reminiscent of the type of trail that existed before skating—fun narrow trails through the woods!!
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Event
Garland Gripper Classic
Garland Resort, Lewiston, Michigan
Saturday, January 21st – 11 a.m. Start Time

Forecast: Friday night low 22F. Overnight snow anticipated. Saturday temps rising to 27F during the afternoon.

Base Prep: Clean skis with CH10 or BP088 scrape and brush using Course Bronze Brush. Clean kick zone with Swix base cleaner and Fiberlene, sand kick zone with 100grit sandpaper

Structure: Fine linear: Swix Super Riller using the fine .5mm blade

Glide Wax
Race Wax: Apply LF7, scrape and brush using Medium Bronze Brush

Glide Wax (High End)
Base Race Wax: Apply HF8, scrape and brush using Medium Bronze Brush
Race Wax: Apply FC7 Powder or FC040 with Iron for durability, scrape and brush out using Black Nylon then Horsehair brushes
Or
Race Wax: Apply FC1 Solid with Iron for durability and brush out using Horsehair then Fine Nylon brushes.
* FC1 Solid could be hand-corked in and brushed out with Fine Nylon Brush

Kick Wax
Base Kick Wax: Apply a thin layer of VG35 Base Wax (iron in or use heat gun) & cork smooth. This layer will add durability and act as a cushion.

Race Wax: Apply several layers of VR45 and cork in each layer. Cover with short layer of VR50 if extra grip needed and cork smooth.
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Event:
Garland Glide – Skate Race
Garland Resort, Lewiston, Michigan
Sunday, January 22nd – 10 a.m. Start Time

Forecast: Saturday night low 15F with snow showers. Sunday high 30F with more snow predicted.

Base Prep: Clean skis with CH10 or BP088 scrape and brush using Course Bronze Brush (TO158) or Fine Steel Brush (TO192). This is very important to open up the base to receive the wax.

Structure: Fine linear, Can be applied with the Swix Super Riller using the fine .5mm blade – after you have applied final race wax layer and then brush.

Glide Wax
Race Wax: Apply LF7, scrape and brush using Medium Bronze Brush

Glide Wax (High End)
Base Race Wax: Apply HF7, scrape and brush using Medium Bronze Brush

Race Wax: Apply FC7 Powder or FC040 Powder with, scrape and brush out using Black Nylon then Horsehair brushes & polish with Cera F Polishing Pad
Or
Race Wax: Apply FC1 Solid with Iron for durability and brush out using Horsehair then Fine Nylon brushes.
* FC1 Solid could be hand-corked in and brushed out with Fine Nylon Brush
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Event
Pepsi Challenge
Giants Ridge Biwabik, MN
Saturday January 21st 48k/24k Skate and Classic

Forecast: Friday night low 2F, Saturday high 21F Partly Cloudy

Ski Selection:
Skate: Medium-Stiff flex
Classic: Medium flex hard wax ski

Base Prep: Clean skis with CH10 or BP088 scrape and brush using Course Bronze Brush. Clean kick zone with Swix base cleaner and Fiberlene, sand kick zone with 100grit sandpaper

Structure: Fine linear, Can be applied with the Swix Super Riller using the fine .5mm blade

Glide Wax:
Base Race Wax: Apply CH6, scrape and brush using Medium Bronze Brush. This step is needed to harden the base to deal with the cold snow.

Race Wax: Apply LF4, scrape and brush using Fine Steel or Fine Bronze and follow with Blue Nylon. For the 48k repeat the race wax process.

Kick Wax
Binder Wax: Apply VG35, cover w/ one layer of V40 Blue Extra

Race Wax: Apply 3-5 thin layers of VR30, follow this with 2-3 thin layers of VR40, finish with 1 thin layer of VR30. It would also be advisable to carry VR40, VR45 and a cork along in a fanny pack incase it warms up later in the race.

Note: The course should be in good condition. On the cold snow, be sure to brush out all of the wax for maximum speed!
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Event:
Super Tour/JOQ Mt. Itasca
Grand Rapids, MN
Saturday January 21st 5/10k Skate
Sunday January 22nd 10/15k Classic

Forecast: Friday night low 5F, Saturday high 22F, Saturday night low 7F, Sunday high 23F, Partly Cloudy throughout

Ski Selection: Skate: Medium-Stiff flex, Classic: Medium flex hard wax ski

Base Prep: Clean skis with CH10 or BP088 scrape and brush using Course Bronze Brush. Clean kick zone with Swix base cleaner and Fiberlene, sand kick zone with 100grit sandpaper

Structure: Fine linear, Can be applied with the Swix Super Riller using the fine .5mm blade

Glide Wax: (Both Days)
Base Race Wax: Apply CH6, scrape and brush using Medium Bronze Brush. This step is needed to harden the base to deal with the cold snow.

Race Wax: Apply LF4, scrape and brush using Fine Steel or Fine Bronze and follow with Blue Nylon. For racers starting after after noon (J1 Girls, All J2s) choose LF6 instead of LF4.

Kick Wax:
Binder Wax: Apply VG35, cover w/ one layer of V40 Blue Extra

Race Wax: 5 thin layers of VR30, experiment with VR40 as the temperature increases.

Note: There will likely be a mix of older man-made snow and natural snow making for somewhat abrasive conditions. Because most of the course sits on a north facing slope, it is likely the snow temperature won’t increase as fast as the air temperature.