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From the FasterSkier archive — posts syndicated from athletes’ and coaches’ own blogs between 2004 and 2012, kept online as published. Current coverage is at fasterskier.com.

Tag: XCold

  • Toko: US Nationals Skate Sprint Race Report

    Toko: US Nationals Skate Sprint Race Report

    Torin on his way to US National Title #2 this week. Photo: Toko.

    US Nationals Skate Sprint Race Report

    Waxing was interesting today and showed why I am happy to be a Toko man.  I was expecting a lot of styrofoam-like manmade snow mixed in with the bit of old snow that remained.  Somehow the snow changed and today skied more like “normal” snow.  The wax recommendation would have rocked for sure in what we were expecting so I was relieved to see that the HF Blue/XCold mix was the fastest baselayer choice for the day.  JetStream Blue was also the leading top coat.  It has to be appreciated that you can midjudge the conditions a little and still absolutely nail the wax.

    This was a course for those who can generate a lot of speed with their legs on high speed sections, glide well, and have good finishing speed.  Jessie Diggins was tripped up in the A final, hit the top of the final downhill in 5th place well separated from 4th, and then hammered over the top, got in a low tuck, worked the small bumps and dips, let her skis run (flat), and shot into 3rd on the dip next to the 200 meters to go sign and then opened it up to take a clear win.  How impressive was that!  She’s on her way shortly to World Junior Championships representing the stars and bars.

    This was the first year since Torin was a kid that he hasn’t been affiliated with the National team despite some strong international results including a podium in an individual World Cup race.  You have to have a lot of respect and admiration for how he circled the wagons and got his house in order, found some excellent support (Methow Olympic Development), worked his tail off, continued to develop his game (he is racing smarter now), and came out hungry.  The result was 2 more National Championships and solid standing as one of the US’ top two sprinters.  Bravo Torin!

    Click here for the rest of the photos and report from today’s Skate Sprint.

    Field Report from CXC from US Nationals

    Tad Elliot won the distance skate race on a mix of HF Blue and XCold powder with a top coat of JetStream Blue.  The XCold addition really made a difference in the madmade snow.

    Jason Cork, CXC Elite Team Head Coach

  • Toko Newsletter

    Toko Newsletter

    XCold Application

    XCold powder is one of Toko’s standout products. It really is an essential part of any competitive skier’s wax box. Here is information on when and how to use it:

    XCold is not just a hardener. It has a special function. It makes the skis dramatically more slippery at slower speeds (in other words, they acelerate starting from a slower speed). The term that I like to use for this is that it improves the breakaway speed. For this reason, XCold is really important when conditions are slow such as very slow squeaky snow or slow freshly shot manmade snow.

    You can apply it two ways. The most common way is to mix it with LF or HF Blue. The glide layer before this layer should have been a layer of Blue to harden up the base. Apply your Blue/XCold layer by dripping the blue on the ski (not too much, you need to leave room for the XCold). Then shake the XCold powder on the ski so you have about as much as the Blue. Then heat them in together, let cool, scrape, and brush. Some like to heat the Blue in first and then apply the XCold. I find that if this is done, the XCold stays on top and doesn’t make it into the wax job.

    Otherwise, in extremely slow cold snow, the XCold can be applied on top of the Blue as a separate layer. Simply shake the XCold on, heat it in, let cool, scrape, and brush. This is not as good as the Blue/XCold mix though except for in the coldest/slowest conditions.

    If it is cold and fast, don’t bother with the XCold, just go with the HF Blue followed by JetStream Blue.

    Toko US Blog Header - www.SwissCowsAreFast.com

    www.SwissCowsAreFast.com

    The Toko US Nordic Blog is now hopping along pretty well now with a lot of interesting entries. The latest one is from 12 time US National champion John Bauer on technique. Check it out!

    Hot boxes are generally used to get soft glide waxes such as yellow deep into the base. Once this has been accomplished, it is important to wax the ski with a hard wax such as blue to harden it up. Otherwise the base will be so soft, it will be white after just a few kms in cold snow.

    Hot Boxing

    Here’s how to use the hot box to get good penetration:

    1. Wax the skis with a soft wax such as System 3 yellow.

    2. Put the skis in the hot box at 62C for 6-8 hours.

    3. Let cool completely. Scrape and brush.

    4. Iron in System 3 blue, cool, scrape, brush, and repeat.

    5. Wax with the wax of the day.

    For more complete information click HERE.

    Toko Research and Development Presentation

    Click HERE to see a presentation on Toko Research and Development

    This Weekend’s Race Wax Recommendations

    We are not going to be able to email out the race wax recommendations for this weekend like we usually do. They can always be found at http://www.tokous.com/racewaxtips.htm