American Birkebeiner February 25

American Birkebeiner
Classic and Freestyle

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Last Call: Updated February 24 at 9:00 AM
Today: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, high near 28°F. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 10°F. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 27°F. West wind around 5 mph.

Race Course
Trail is a mix of new snow mixed with the transformed snow.
This will depend on the weather in the next few days could be more new snow on Friday night

Glide Wax:

Apply 2 layers of HSF 20 Tan over 1 layer of HSLF-20 Blue
Top coat with Flite Cold, Iron in using the Fast Wax Base Saver
Grip Wax - Options
( Make sure to rough up your wax pocket with 100 grit sand paper before waxing )
1. Iron in Rode Black Binder, cork in and let cool, then cover with several layers of
Rode Multigrade Blue or Rode Multigrade Purple, –> Rode Violet Special
3. Iron in Rex Blue Power Grip or Grip Tape then add a layer of Rode Multigrade Blue or Rode Mutligrade Purple –> Rode Violet Special

Ski Flex and Structure
Moderate Ski with a Universal Grind
Finite Structure Tool 0.2 mm linear
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43 thoughts on “American Birkebeiner February 25”

Tyler Johnson on February 19, 2012 at 10:01 am said:

In the past, you have always posted a good, better and best waxing option. I have used the HSF waxes in the past and had good luck with them and your recommendations, thank you. Could you please post or send me a Birkie waxing option for this year that does not involve buying $135 pure flouro powder? I use the low flouro wax for everyday skiing and am more than happy to use the high flouro or slick pro for the race but to me the pure fluoro costs more than I care to spend as a 4th wave recreational skier.
Thank you,
Tyler

Reply ↓
- fastwax on February 19, 2012 at 5:10 pm said:
  
  Tyler,
  I will certainly post the options for the Birkie next week when the forecast is more certain. However, this year the snow is heavily transformed and very dirty. Using the Flite Cold will improve your ski speed and enhance the experience of the race, especially toward the end.
  At the Birkie we will have the Flite Cold single application quantities for $40
  Dan
  
  Reply ↓
  - Tyler Johnson on February 23, 2012 at 7:59 pm said:
    
    Okay, so I used the HSLF blue then 2 coats of the High flouro tan. Should I go with a third coat of the tan or is two good? Still a fine linear structure to finish off, right?
    
    Reply ↓
    - fastwax on February 24, 2012 at 8:39 am said:
      
      You are good to go
      
      Reply ↓
Karen on February 20, 2012 at 8:57 am said:

HI! I will be in 8th wave of the Kortelopet and expect to be skiing for about 2 hours from 9:45-noon or so. I have Fast Wax high fluoro tan and wondering if that’s ok versus the salmon. I am not in those higher waves but then again am not skiing as long as a Birkie and hitting the afternoon sun. Also wondering as the course gets dished out and ice is left at the bottom of the trail if something harder like tan versus salmon might be better?

Reply ↓
- fastwax on February 20, 2012 at 10:21 am said:
  
  Karen,
  The long term weather models are dropping the high for Saturday down to 25 F so I would tend to go more with the HSF 20 Tan. We skied the trail last Saturday using the HSF 20 Tan and moderate flexed ski and universal grind and our skis were really fast. There is a very abrasive transformed snow hard back as a base on the trail with some new snow on top.
  The Korte tail is also more sheltered than the second half of the Birkie trail that really gets the sun on the south side hills
  Dan
  
  Reply ↓
  - Tyler Johnson on February 23, 2012 at 7:58 pm said:
    
    Okay, so I used the HSLF blue then 2 coats of the High flouro tan. Should I go with a third coat of the tan or is two good? Still a fine linear structure to finish off, right?
    
    Reply ↓
Don on February 20, 2012 at 9:16 am said:

Hi, my daughter is in fifth wave (8:50 start), I have blue and tan wax, would that work? I know it is not your strongest recomendation, Or should I layer over the blue with HS-30 Red. I have today to prep skis and not enough time to buy and ship the salmon wax. Thank you ,Don

Reply ↓
- fastwax on February 20, 2012 at 10:19 am said:
  
  Don,
  The long term weather models are dropping the high for Saturday down to 25 F so I would tend to go more with the HSF 20 Tan. We skied the trail last Saturday using the HSF 20 Tan and moderate flexed ski and universal grind and our skis were really fast. There is a very abrasive transformed snow hard back as a base on the trail with some new snow on top.
  Dan
  
  Reply ↓
Bill on February 20, 2012 at 10:58 am said:

Hi! I’m in the 3rd wave freestyle and plan to follow your recommendation. The fluoro powder that I have, though, is not listed as arcitc, cold, or warm. Perhaps this is an older product prior to three types being available. Will the powder I have still be effective for Saturday’s forecasted conditions? Thanks!

Reply ↓
- fastwax on February 20, 2012 at 11:44 am said:
  
  Yes the older version of Flite was formulated for a temperatue range that will work for the Birkie. Check out the Base Saver for the new application of the Fluoro
  
  Dan
  
  Reply ↓
Josh on February 20, 2012 at 4:37 pm said:

Just a general question on race waxing. You recommend 2 layers tan over 1 blue. If you’re willing to spend the time, are more layers better? More tan? More blue? Or are you just wasting your time going beyond the recommendation?

Reply ↓
Brian on February 21, 2012 at 6:12 am said:

Hello Dan! This will be my first time using the Flite Cold Product and I’m really looking forward to it. Whenever I’m using cold waxes (teal, blue, tan) after waxing I go out a ski a few k’s then come back and brush them out again before the race. Should I do this before or after I apply the Flite Cold using the base saver? Thanks!

Reply ↓
- fastwax on February 21, 2012 at 6:50 am said:
  
  Ski with the hard wax applied then brush them out and apply the Flite Cold as the last step. Ski only enough after the Flite Cold application to test the skis before the race.
  Dan
  
  Reply ↓
Dustin Vande Zande on February 21, 2012 at 12:35 pm said:

Wondering about the HSP-20. How does that compare to the HSF-20? I have both and I am considering waxing skis with each. Thanks, Dustin

Reply ↓
- fastwax on February 21, 2012 at 12:58 pm said:
  
  We have used the HSP 20 in long races of 40 to 50 K and it works very well, 3 of us placed in the Sisu 42k race on HSP 10. The HSP is closer to a low fluoro formulation, the HSF -20 will be faster and more durable in the Birke especially if covered with Flite Cold
  
  Reply ↓
Phil Van Ess on February 22, 2012 at 8:27 am said:

I will likely not have much more time to wax before traveling to Cable, I spent 3.5 hours prepping on Sunday using that day’s recommendation. Already had 2 coast of Salmon on from previous training, ironed in one layer of tan, followed by two coats of salmon, then topped off with Flite cold. Seems like I missed. I’m now out of Flite cold. Should I leave alone or iron in two coats of tan over the flite and call it done. I do have a small block of Solda Power Jet 1 that I could topcoat with, but I’ve only used Flite cold to this point with great results and haven’t tried the Power Jet. Thoughts?

Reply ↓
- fastwax on February 22, 2012 at 10:03 am said:
  
  You will be just fine, the trail will get skied in and the snow will transform with the traffic and the Salmon will work well especially well in the second half of the race on the south hill you will have really fast skis
  Dan
  
  Reply ↓
Justin on February 22, 2012 at 10:39 am said:

thanks for the forum! i’m classic korte wave 1. i’ll be early, and coming back through the forest with relatively few in front (colder snow?) im thinking 1x hf green and 2x hf tan … or should i stick with using the colder green?

THANK YOU! have a great Birkie!

Reply ↓
- fastwax on February 22, 2012 at 7:05 pm said:
  
  Go with the HSF-20 Tan
  Dan
  
  Reply ↓
Sandy on February 22, 2012 at 11:19 am said:

I have HSF-20 Tan for the top coat. I’m uncertain which of the following I should use for the base coat? I’m in wave 4 for the Korte. Need to wax tonight for the race Sat.
HS 20 Blue
HS 10 Teal
HS LF -10 Teal

Thanks – your advice last year was spot on!

Reply ↓
- fastwax on February 22, 2012 at 7:04 pm said:
  
  The HSLF 10 Teal is the choice the extra fluoro layer will help
  Dan
  
  Reply ↓
Terry Meyer on February 22, 2012 at 12:58 pm said:

Hello,
Saw your recommendations for the birkie, will follow except first time
I’ve used the Flite 11 powder not sure on how to apply (with low heat)
cool then brush out ?

Reply ↓
- fastwax on February 22, 2012 at 7:03 pm said:
  
  Look up the video on using the Fast Wax Base Saver and follow the video
  
  Reply ↓
Mark B on February 22, 2012 at 2:56 pm said:

Hi Dan,
I’m a back of the pack classic Birkie skier. I hope to cross the finish line before sundown.
I’ve used a lot of grip tape this year on artificial snow, mostly to good effect.
Is your grip tape recommendation for Universal or for Cold? Will Universal hold the purple hard wax?
Will the klister option offer a better grip, or is my familiar tape wax plenty good enough? I need all the help I can get!
Thanks. Mark B

Reply ↓
- fastwax on February 22, 2012 at 7:01 pm said:
  
  The recommendations is for the Universal Grip tape, however either will work
  Dan
  
  Reply ↓
Brian on February 22, 2012 at 3:48 pm said:

For kick I’d like to use your 3rd recommendation on Grip Tape. I’m in the 2nd wave classical. If it snows during the race would Rode Multi Violet over the grip tape provide decent grip?
Thanks

Reply ↓
- fastwax on February 22, 2012 at 6:59 pm said:
  
  That should be good, test at the race site, start with the Multigrade Blue and go up to the Multigrade Purple
  Dan
  
  Reply ↓
bob robinson on February 22, 2012 at 5:05 pm said:

first wave korte classic race start at 8:00 for me. For glide I have in my possession HS-LF10 teal (-5 to 15) or HS-20 blue (12-28F. I was thinking of two layers of blue and one of teal on top. Or if you feel strongly enough I could try to find some HSF 20 Tan

Reply ↓
- fastwax on February 22, 2012 at 6:58 pm said:
  
  Bob,
  The classic tracks will most likely be icy so the HSLF 10 Teal will work well
  Dan
  
  Reply ↓
Robert Sievert on February 22, 2012 at 9:11 pm said:

I have HSP-10 Green Slick Pro Paste Wax. Would that be helpful as a top layer?

Reply ↓
- fastwax on February 22, 2012 at 10:03 pm said:
  
  Robert,
  I need to have more information. The HSP 10 Green is a similar formulation as the HSLF 10, It will work for the Birkie however the better choice is the HSF 20 Tan, HSLF-20 or several layers of HSP 20. We skied today and the snow is skiing warm and fast with the HSF-20, medium to soft ski and universal grind
  Dan
  
  Reply ↓
  - Robert Sievert on February 22, 2012 at 11:22 pm said:
    
    I plan to apply one layer of HS-LF 20 Blue followed by two layers of HSF-20 Tan. My local ski shop is out of Flite Cold. Would HSP-10 Green be helpful in place of Flite Cold?
    
    Reply ↓
    - fastwax on February 23, 2012 at 7:57 am said:
      
      Robert,
      The HSP-10 is a step down from the High Fluoro HSF-20 Tan, Either go with the HSF-20 Tan or we have the Flite Cold at Hayward at both Outdoor Ventures or New Moon.
      We skied the HSF-20 last night and it was really fast the Flte Cold will help keep your skis fast for the last part of the race.
      Dan
      
      Reply ↓
Evan on February 23, 2012 at 9:09 pm said:

First of all, thank you Fast Wax for creating an affordable, quality product line that you don’t have to be a mad scientist to get the most out of. I’ll be a wave 4 skate skier on Saturday. I am hoping to stretch what I have and get 2-3 coats of tan on the skis and call it a day. Maybe not ideal, but any reason that would be a bad idea?

Thanks!

Reply ↓
- fastwax on February 24, 2012 at 8:39 am said:
  
  You will be right on with really fast skis
  
  Reply ↓
John Lavelle on February 24, 2012 at 11:20 am said:

I am going with the Rode kick option, is the recommendation the same if we get 3″ of snow tonight.
?

Reply ↓
- fastwax on February 24, 2012 at 1:36 pm said:
  
  Yes, however there is only a lite dusting of new snow
  
  Reply ↓
Clifton on February 24, 2012 at 1:49 pm said:

I haven’t quite been able to rationalize the extra cost for Pure fluoro, yet (get a little closer each year, though). I now have two layers of HSF 20 Tan on top of one layer of HSLF-20 Blue. Without a pure fluoro on top, does it make sense to add a third layer of the HSF 20 Tan? Or is the ski likely maxed out on wax at this point, and I’ll just have to double suffer into the wind on the lake smelling the brats in the so-close-but-so-far distance? (wave 3 Birkie freestyle)

Thanks!

Reply ↓
- fastwax on February 24, 2012 at 2:46 pm said:
  
  You are good to go relax and rest
  
  Reply ↓
Paul Roltgen on February 26, 2012 at 8:26 am said:

HI Dan,

This is the first year I have used the Flite Cold and Iron in with the base saver pad. The skis seemed to be slower with the Flite on vs the HF Tan only. Am I applying wrong? I followed the web viedo for application. How do I prep(brush or not) prior to application and how much do I brush out post application with a horse hair. Do I need deticated brushes or is that myth.

Thanks

Reply ↓
- fastwax on February 26, 2012 at 3:08 pm said:
  
  Paul,
  Yes there is something in your application that is not correct.
  First, do you have the Fast Wax Brushes ?
  
  After waxing with the HSF-20 make sure the skis are brushed out well Fast Wax SS 2 to 3 passes, horse hair 2 to 3 passes
  Iron in the Fluoro with the Base Saver, press down hard with the iron at 260 F to 270
  Tape side toward the ski
  Allow the ski to cool to room temperature 1/2 hour
  Brush out with the Horse Hair Brush
  Use a dedicated brush for the Fluoro to prevent dirt from normal ski waxing from getting into the Fluoro Wax
  
  Reply ↓
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43 thoughts on “American Birkebeiner February 25”

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