For those with circulation problems or for extremely cold weather
Start with either Toko Classic, Thermo Plus, or Arctic depending on your needs and the weather. They get progressively warmer from Classic to Thermo Plus to Arctic. Then put your poles on including the straps. Then put on the Toko Racing Overmitt. Because the strap goes through a small opening in the glove, the Racing Overmitt covers the hand and the strap. The combination of Racing Overmitt on top of Arctic ought to keep anyone’s hands warm, even those with really poor circulation in below 0f weather. Most people would be very happy with the combination of Racing Overmitt and Classic in below 0f weather. These combinations are warmer than mittens or split finger mittens.
The downside to using the Racing Overmitt over a glove is that it’s more complicated to get the Overmitts on and once they are on, you’re not going to want to take them off for a feed, to take a photo, etc.
The upside to using the Racing Overmitt outside of the obvious warm hands is that there is no performance sacrifice such as a loss of feel for the pole or the feeling of having lots of bulk with a pole strap wrapped around it. Because the Racing Overmitt goes on top of the pole strap, as far as your feel for the poles go, there is no drawback at all. Just warm comfortable hands!
The Racing Overmitt comes in two sizes: S/M and L/XL.
If a person did not have the Toko Racing Overmitts, the next warmest option would be the Toko Arctic Mitts.
Toko Technicians Visiting Mr and Mrs Claus
Word has it that Santa’s sled is going to be FLYIN’ this year!
Testing Testing Testing
We never stop testing and developing new products. Here, a sneak peak at our awesome new HelX 2.0 available in the fall!
We support development of all types of ski and snowboard racing throughout the US
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A Wax Room Party!
Sometimes the life of a wax technician can be lonely. Wax technicians spend a LOT of time in the wax room. Make them feel appreciated if you’re lucky enough to have one!
The newest addition to Canada’s World Cup wax team, Simon Boisvert, shown previously assisting the Quebec-based Pierre-Harvey Training Centre. (Photo: Frederique Vezina)
(Scroll down for French version/Version française disponible au bas de la page.)
***
Simon Boisvert is the new guy on the Canadian National wax technician’s team. At 21, the young man from Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec, was selected at the beginning of the summer as an apprentice wax tech. Over the winter, he will have the great opportunity, throughout the World Cup circuit, to learn the job with some of the best.
Last spring, Cross Country Canada (CCC) posted a job notice on its website advertising for an apprentice wax technician. Boisvert’s sister saw the listing and told him he was a good candidate and should apply. Following her advice, he sent his résumé. A few weeks later, he received a call from CCC High-Performance Director Tom Holland, who delivered the good news.
“When I got the call, I was really happy,” Boisvert said last week on the phone from Canmore, Alberta. “It was one of my dreams that came true. I’ve never been to Europe and now I’ve got the opportunity to travel all winter around.”
His experience as a wax tech is limited and recent, which isn’t surprising considering his age. Nevertheless, he can count on a good background and knowledge of cross-country skiing. Boisvertwas a member of the Mont-Ste-Anne Nordic Ski Club (Club Nordique) and competed until age 17. He also lived in the same neighbourhood as World Cup skier Alex Harvey and senior national team member Frédérique Vézina, giving him the edge of knowing several top skiers from an early age.
First Steps
Two seasons ago at the 2012 Canadian Ski Nationals right in his backyard at Mont-Ste-Anne (M.S.A.), Boisvertfirst worked as a wax technician for his local club. He hasn’t stopped since. Boisvertspent last season as a wax tech for Club Nordique providing technical support at the Quebec Cups, some NorAms and nationals in Whistler, B.C.
His biggest challenge came at U.S. SuperTour Springs Series in California at the end of last season. For this set of races, he was responsible for several athletes from the Pierre-Harvey Training Centre (CNEPH) and NDC Thunder Bay. Everything went well and this spring, he was able to count on the help and recommendation of CNEPH head coach and national-team assistant, Louis Bouchard, when he applied.
It did not take Boisvertlong to find his vocation. “I really loved the job as a wax tech last year and I decided to do that for a living,” he said.
One could say the assistant position is a big promotion for Boisvert, who as been selected to complete Canada’s wax team.
“I do not have much experience, but I have the desire to learn and when I go for it,” he said. “I always put 100 percent of myself into it and I give 110 percent. I would have done the job anyway, even if I didn’t get paid this winter.”
His Winter Schedule
On Nov. 21, Boisvertwill leave for Scandinavia for the start of the World Cup season in Finland. He plans to stick around Europe for the Tour de Ski multi-stage race starting in late December, but won’t be around for the Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Instead, he was assigned to assist the Canadian B-team (including select skiers, U23 and older) on the Scandinavia trip in February.
Boisvertjoins an experienced team of technicians and expects to learn a lot, including the tricks and tips of waxing at this level, and ways to work within the team. He said he feels priviledged to work with Harvey, Bouchard and the rest of the World Cup team.
For now, he’s committed to a one-year contract, but at the end of the season, if his evaluations go well, he might sign on for a couple more years.
This season, Canada will also have a huge, brand-new waxing truck — putting the team on par support-wise with powerhouses like Norway and Sweden.
About Stéphanie Drolet:
A former competitive cyclist and cross-country skier on Canada’s National Junior Team, StéphanieDrolet is a Canadian contributor at FasterSkier. She was a forerunner at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and competed at the 2008 World Junior Championships. A journalism student at Laval University in Quebec, Stéphanie still skis and rides for fun and to stay in shape. Don’t be surprised to find a few of her articles in French!
***
(En français)
Simon Boisvert est le nouveau venu dans l’équipe de technicien de fartage canadienne. À 21 ans, le jeune homme originaire du Mont-Ste-Anne a été sélectionné au début de l’été comme apprenti-farteur. Il aura donc la chance tout au long de la saison de Coupe du Monde d’apprendre le métier aux côtés des meilleurs.
Le printemps dernier, Ski de fond Canada affichait, sur son site internet, une offre d’emploi comme apprenti-farteur. La soeur de Boisvert a vu l’offre et lui a dit de tenter sa chance, suivant son conseil, il a envoyé son dossier. Quelques semaines plus tard, il a reçu un appel de Tom Holland, directeur de la haute performance de SFC lui annonçant la bonne nouvelle.
« Quand j’ai reçu l’appel, j’étais vraiment content, c’était un de mes rêves qui se réalisait, je n’ai encore jamais été en Europe et là je vais me promener tout l’hiver », a mentionné Boisvert en entrevue téléphonique de Canmore en Alberta.
Ses expériences comme farteur sont assez limitées et récentes, normal, compte tenu de son jeune âge. Néanmoins, il peut compter sur un bon bagage de connaissance du ski de fond. En effet, Boisvert a lui-même été membre du Club Nordique Mont-Ste-Anne (M.S.A.) et il a concouru jusqu’à l’âge de 17 ans. De plus, il côtoie, depuis qu’il est tout jeune, des skieurs élites comme Alex Harvey et Frédérique Vézina.
Ses débuts comme farteur
C’est lors des Championnats canadiens de 2012 au Mont-Ste-Anne, il y a deux ans, dans sa cour arrière, qu’il a fait ses premiers pas en étant technicien de fartage pour le club local et depuis il n’a jamais arrêté. Boisvert a passé la dernière saison comme farteur pour le Club Nordique M.S.A. assurant le support technique lors des Coupes Québec, certaines Coupe NorAm et les Championnats canadiens.
Son plus gros défi a été lors des Springs Serie au Lake Tahoe en fin de saison, alors qu’il avait plusieurs athlètes du CNEPH sous sa charge pour des courses d’importance. L’expérience californienne s’est bien déroulée et il a pu compter ce printemps sur l’appui et la recommandation de Louis Bouchard, entraîneur-chef du CNEPH et assistant-entraîneur de l’équipe nationale, auprès de la fédération.
Il n’a pas fallu longtemps à Boisvert pour trouvé sa vocation. « J’ai vraiment eu la piqure l’an passé et j’ai décidé de faire ça de ma vie », a-t-il affirmé.
Quelqu’un pourrait dire que c’est une grosse promotion que Boisvert a obtenue en étant choisi pour compléter l’équipe de techniciens de SFC.
« Je n’ai pas beaucoup d’expérience, mais j’ai le goût d’apprendre et quand je m’y mets, je m’y mets à 100 % et je me donne à 110 %. Je n’aurais pas été payé cet hiver et je l’aurais fait quand même »
Son horaire hivernal
Il a son billet d’avion en poche avec un départ pour la Scandinavie le 21 novembre pour le début de la saison de Coupe du monde en Finlande. Après une pause de deux semaines au Canada, il sera au Tour de ski – une course par étapes – qui commence à la fin du mois de décembre. Les Jeux olympiques ne sont cependant pas à son programme, il sera toutefois attitré au tour en Scandinavie avec une équipe canadienne B (qui reste à déterminer) au mois de février.
Boisvert se joint à une équipe de fartage d’expérience et il profitera de cette première année pour emmagasiner le maximum de connaissances, apprendre toutes les subtilités et trucs, de même que de s’intégrer au sein de l’équipe.
Pour l’instant, il a signé un contrat d’un an qui sera réévalué à la fin de la saison, mais si les dirigeants de l’équipe son satisfait de son travail, il est probable qu’il renouvelle pour quelques années supplémentaires.
Cette saison, le Canada pourra compter sur une nouveauté de taille, un immense camion de fartage, ainsi l’équipe sera en mesure de rivaliser à armes égales avec les grosses puissances norvégienne et suédoise.
Typical wax cabin used by teams on the World Cup (photo: langrenn.com)
There have been three recent articles on langrenn.com addressing the issues of the health risks taken by wax technicians when using fluorinated wax. The first is about a report published by Norway’s national insitute of occupational health, titled “Chemical exposure and effects on the respiratory system among professional wax technicians“. The second is about comments made by the head of research and development at Swix wax, Lars Karlöf, in response to the study. The third is about a ventilation specialist who has invented a prototype which improves the work environment of a wax technician such that they can wax the skis using any type of wax without needing a mask or other safety equipment.
STAMI Report
A report from the National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI) was published on Monday.The report concluded that fluorine compounds accumulate in the body and remain in the blood for years. Scientists are uncertain about long-term effects, but recommend that anyone using fluoride powder exercise caution. The powder emits dust and gases both by heating with an iron and brushing.
Professional wax technicians have long been concerned with the work environment of the typical waxing trailer. Norwegian Biathlete Team physician, Baard I. Freberg, is a PhD candidate at STAMI and has been visiting the waxing crew during the project.
“Wax technicians came to me with vague complaints. They felt bad after they had worked with fluoride powder. I felt it was my duty as a doctor to warn them that something could be wrong,” Freberg told Norway’s broadcasting station, NRK.
“We recommend that all technicians use protective gear when they use such a powder. Neither the researchers or others can determine the long-term effects of fluoride compounds. We have shown that the substances are stored in the body. Something more than that we can not say,” adds the team doctor.
Common symptoms among technicians who have been in contact with the powder are vomiting, dizziness, and breathing problems.
47 technicians from nine nations participated in the STAMI study by giving blood and breath samples over a period of two years.
Fluoro wax formula
Head of Development for Swix Wax Sees No Reason To Be Worried
Lars Karlof, head of research and development at Swix, is not surprised at the recent report published by STAMI.
“Work on this report has been going on for several years. . . so I cannot say that this is new information, “ said Karlof.
“What is new is the amount of dust in the waxing cabins and the size of the particles.
Karlof thinks that the focus should be on improving the work environment and that there should be more education in order to make the wax technicians aware of the danger of particulate matter.
On his company’s behalf, Karlof thinks they are doing the things necessary for such awareness. He points out that Swix is already following the rules and guidelines set by authorities and that warnings and safety information is posted on their website.
“I’m not worried about the harmful effects,” said Karlof, “If a user of our products follows the instructions provided on our website I see no reason to be worried.”
Karlof recommends, “If one does not have adequate ventilation in the wax cabin they should have a face mask with two-point extraction (overface mask with a P3AB filter). Otherwise, I can say that in general it helps to have an orderly and neat workplace, and that one should not eat and drink in the waxing area.”
Pete Vordenberg and Trond Nysted double up to brush out a ski – in a well ventilated area
Karlof also does not see a reason from dissuading people from the profession of wax technician.
“If one is interested in waxing skis, I certainly think that one can make the choice to be a professional wax technician. Swix believes that the suppliers and teams must work together to raise awareness of a good working environment in the waxing cabins.”
After Two Years, A Prototype
Tor Aahjem had several years of experience working in the ventilation industry when he first heard, through the media in Norway, that there was a problem with the work environment of a wax technician. Aahjem is from the town of Vesnes, which is in the Møre og Romsdal region of Norway.
He had no expertise in waxing, but he got in contact with people in the skiing and waxing business to learn more about the problem, and heard from them that the solutions available today are just not good enough.
After hearing of the need for improvement in the waxing environment, Aahjem decided to attend the Norwegian National Championships in Trondheim in 2008 to survey the situation himself.
Aahjem would not say how bad he thought the situation was during his visit, instead he used very diplomatic language to say that there could be a much better work situation than the one currently in place.
“With my experience in the ventilation industry I saw that there was an obvious need for improvement,” said Aahjem, “and I was motivated to tackle the challenge.”
After several years of working, Aahjem finally came up with a prototype which he explains will improve the environment for the wax technicians through ventilation so that the technicians, even without a mask or other safety equipment, do not have to worry about the fumes.
The product is not finalized, but Aahjem is hoping it will be on the market by this winter. He does not have a patent yet, so he is keeping the details of his product under wraps while in negotiations with several potential partners.
Before launching his product, Aahjem is keeping the customer in mind. It will not be a cheap product, so will be marketed more toward those who are serious about skiing and who wax multiple pairs of skis on a regular basis. However, Aahjem is also trying to keep it affordable for ordinary people and sports clubs, and says it will not be as high as the 100,000 kroner range (17,000 USD).
The product will provide for a better work environment for those that wax skis because they will not have to sacrifice their health while using the best wax combination possible.
Aahjem says that he cannot guarantee anything yet, but that his product is “a major step in the right direction in terms of the working environment of a wax technician.”
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![The newest addition to Canada's World Cup Team of wax technicians, Simon Boisvert, shown previously assisting the Pierre-Harvey Training Centre. (Photo: Frederique Vezina)](http://fasterskier.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2013/10/Simon-Photo-Frederique-Vezina.jpg")
![Typical wax cabin used by teams on the World Cup circuit](http://images.fasterskier.com/2010/01/wax-cabin.jpg")
![Wax formula](http://images.fasterskier.com/2010/01/fluoro-wax-formula.jpg")
![Pete Vordenberg and Trond Nysted double up to brush out a ski - in a well ventilated area](http://images.fasterskier.com/2010/01/double-brush.JPG")