Pepsi Challenge Cup Races

1/22/11 - Giants Ridge Resort - Biwabik, MN

The 24/48km classic races start at 10:30am.  The 24/48km freestyle races start at 11am (note the delayed start time due to expected cold temps). 

Weather Forecast (NOAA):  Friday night, low around –9 with a 30% chance of snow.  Saturday, partly sunny with hear near 5.  30% chance of snow showers. 

With the very cold snow, durability will be very important.  A graphite wax such as SkiGo LF Graphite works well.  Molybdenum will not provide as much hardness as graphite.  For the race paraffin, a very hard wax will be necessary.  SkiGo C380 is a synthetic glide powder that can be mixed in with a paraffin, or can be applied by itself. 

FORECAST BASED RECOMMENDATION

Base Layer:  SkiGo LF Graphite

Race Paraffin:  SkiGo LF or HF Green mixed with SkiGo C380.  The C380 could also be applied alone.  Start HF80 combined with Toko Cold powder is another common combination is cold weather such as is expected.

Fluoro:  Consider Holmenkol Cold Powder or Block, SkiGo C105 Powder or Block.  Sometimes SkiGo C22 solid will work well in very cold snow. 

Topcoat:  Putting a cold application of fluoro block on top of the fluoro powder layer can provide optimal speed for the early part of the race.  Look at SkiGo C105 or C22 solid, or Holmenkol Cold Block.

Kick Recommendations:

As always with kick it is best to test morning of rather than going off a written recommendation.

In such cold temps it is often easy to find grip and more important to find something that is going to glide well.
Binder: Iron in Toko Carbon Base Grip. Given the new snow be sure to
keep the binder layer very thin.
Grip: Some of our favorites in the cold are Guru Green, SkiGo XC Green, Rode Green, or Rode Green Multigrade. You can always try to cover with Rode Alaska or Swix Polar in order to get additional glide.