Swix Sport USA Racing Service

Factors Influencing Waxing

The purpose of waxing is to either create friction, or grip, in the case of kick wax, or to reduce friction as with glide wax. The intention of the waxing process is to make the ski base as compatible as possible with the features of the snow surface. However, often snow conditions change with time and temperature. Even when temperatures remain below freezing, time (hours and days) will progressively deform sharp, classic snow crystals into more rounded forms. We call this transformed snow. The higher the temperature, the faster the transformation will proceed.

Water also plays a significant role. Water molecules surround snow crystals as thin water films even when temperatures are below the freezing point. Above freezing, water plays a greater role as free water mixes with the snow pack. The distribution of water and ice will influence friction and abrasiveness. Therefore, modern Swix waxes take into consideration many factors in their formulation and composition. The result is different waxes for different conditions. Below, Swix points out the main features of snow and friction to make the choice of the proper ski wax easier.

Temperature

Taking a reading of the air temperature in the shade is the first basic starting point for wax selection. This should be done at several points along the course. Snow temperature at the surface can also be helpful. But remember that once the temperature reaches the freezing point (0°C or 32°F), snow will remain at that temperature regardless of rising air temperature. At this point it is best to use air temperatures and focus on the proper steps for dealing with the increased water content of the snow.

Humidity

Humidity is important, but more as a local climate trend rather than a need to measure every percentile. It is important to know if the competition is taking place in a dry climate, meaning average humidity below 50%; a normal climate of 50% to 80%, or a high humidity climate 80% to 100%. Beyond this, of course, is adjusting to the situation of falling precipitation.

Snow Granulation

The appearance of the snow crystal and consequent snow surface is important for wax selection. Falling, or very fresh newly fallen snow is the most critical situation for waxing. The sharp crystals require a wax that will resist snow crystal penetration, but at warmer temperatures must also have the ability to repel water. It is in this special, critical waxing situation that Swix Cera F excels.

Man-made snow is common in today’s racing situations. Freshly made snow at cold temperature definitely requires the addition of hard synthetic paraffin such as with CH4, LF4, HF4, HF4BW and CH6, LF6, HF6 and HF6BW. After man-made snow has “settled” for some days and the surrounding atmosphere has affected the snow surface, the gliding characteristics of the snow improves and normal waxing considerations return.

At rising air temperatures above 0°C (32°F) the snow temperature still remains at 0°C (32°F). The water surrounding the snow crystals increases until the snow pack becomes saturated with water. Waxes that are highly water repellent and coarse base structures are needed.

Snow Friction

The friction on ice and snow is a mixed friction. It means that it is neither a true dry friction nor a true fluid friction. The contact is partly dry, partly wet. At very low temperatures the frictional mechanisms gradually might be described by laws governing dry friction.

At intermediate freezing temperatures, around -4°C to -10°C (25°F to 14°F), the water film between the frictional partners has the optimal thickness to create low kinetic friction.

Approaching the freezing point, the water film increases in thickness, and when conditions for melting are 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 classification is created to help skiers find the best wax for actual conditions.

Group 1. Falling and new fallen snow characterized by relatively sharp crystals, demanding relatively hard ski wax.

Group 2. An intermediate transformation stage, characterized by grains no longer possible to identify as the original snow-crystal shape; often called “fine-grained” snow in ski-wax terminology.

Group 3. The final stage of transformation. Uniform, rounded, bonded grains characterize the snow surface. Also called “old” snow.

Group 4. Wet snow. If snow-grains belonging to group 1, 2 or 3 are exposed to warm weather, the result is wet snow.

By: Tad Elliott
Saab Salomon Factory Team

Lars Flora, Ivan Babikov, Kristina Strandberg, Andrey Golovko.  These were all members of the Saab Salomon Factory Team, the coolest team to my brother and I growing up.  I only knew these names from seeing them on top of the result sheets.  I idolized these ski racers.  I held them in such high regard that I never really thought of them as normal adults.

In Aspen last year I saw Lars getting ready for the classic race.  It was a shock to me seeing someone so good getting ready for his race just like all the juniors around him.  I wanted to introduce myself but I was too nervous.  Five minutes later I ran into the eventual race winner Andrea Golovko.  Our coach had looked up his FIS profile that morning and told us about his Olympic and world cup results.  I wanted to say hello and shake his hand but was again too scared.

It is now eight months later and my first year out of junior competitive skiing.  I was accepted on to the Saab/Salomon Factory Team in the fall.  I was so excited that I would get to wear the same race suit as my idols.

My first Factory Team function would be going to West Yellowstone for the ski camp held over Thanksgiving.  I showed up at the Holiday Inn for the first night of camp and I saw Lars and Kristina unloading their car in the parking lot.  I was still too nervous to go and introduce myself.  Later that night I was introduced to the team and we received our new gear.  It was surreal getting top of the line Salomon skis, boots and clothes.  This was gear I’d seen in magazines but never thought I would actually own.

Andrey Golovko moved into my hotel room to be one of my roommates for the week.  I was quite nervous that I would be staying with someone so fast.  He kept me entertained the whole trip.  One of the goofiest and funniest guys I have ever met.  I went skiing with him the next day and learned how to ski classic “like a Russian,” laughing the whole time.  In the next couple of days, Kristina Trygstad-Saari and I became sick, and being a good roommate Andrey said that after his afternoon run he would come back with something that would help.  He arrived an hour later carrying a bulb of garlic.  He said “This is the best for getting well.”  So at dinner Kristina and I ate raw garlic and Andrey even brought some down for us just in case we forgot.  That night our room did not smell so good but we were optimistic that it was going to make us better.  After the classic race our room was a little down.  Kristina Trygsad-Saari was still too sick to race, and Andrey and I did not ski nearly as fast as we wanted to.  Andrey grabbed a piece of paper and faked making a sign for our door and said “Looozer’s Room” We had a good laugh and that lightened the mood.  That next day after the skate race when we all skied faster than we thought, he made a new sign for our door, “Viiiiinners Room!”  I like this guy.     

I was first down to breakfast the next morning, eating alone, when Kristina and Lars came and sat next to me.  I told them how they were my idols when I was a junior.  They laughed and Lars said “Well, now you are hangin’” I am hangin’ with my ski racing idols and it could not be more fun.  Kristina Strandberg still finds it hard to believe that all the junior girls on my home team knows who she is, and that people find Lars to be a hero. So next time you see your heroes out skiing, remember they are just normal people, putting their boots on one at a time.  Go and say hello and that you enjoy watching them ski. They will be as happy as you are.

Editors Note: Tad Elliott finished 5th in the skate SuperTour race and Andrey Golovko finished 7th - they certainly were "Viiiiiiiinners"!

Paying Attention? Visit www.saabusa.com to find the answer to the question below. The first person to answer will receive a prize from the Saab Salomon Factory Team!

Question: How many sensors does the Saab XWD system use?