The Complete Guide to Cross-country Ski Preparation

Description

* Covers mechanics, techniques and tools, repairs, and more * Nat Brown was the U.S. Cross-Country team and U.S. Biathalon Team waxer for two Olympics and five World Championships If you ski competitively, good ski preparation can win the race. If you ski for recreation, proper ski preparation will enhance your enjoyment. Here is the complete, hands-on guide to the tools and techniques necessary to ready skis for optimal performance. Emphasizing simplicity and practicality, Nat Brown guides skiers through all the techniques-basic to advanced-needed to produce fast skis. He covers the basic mechanics of skis and wax; all the factors that can affect a ski's speed and how to minimize or eliminate them; and advanced topics such as testing and repairs. Written by an expert ski and wax technician, this book is based on more than 30 years of field experience. Cover THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO CROSS-COUNTRY SKI PREPARATION CONTENTS PREFACE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS INTRODUCTION KEEP IT SIMPLE! Part 1 BASICS Chapter 1 CHOOSING THE RIGHT SKIS Self-Evaluation General Guidelines for Choosing Skis Choosing Classic Skis Finding the Wax Pocket Choosing Skating Skis Skis for Younger Skiers Skis for the Top Racer Proper Flex Recommended Camber Height Chapter 2 SKI BASES Wood and the “Fiberglass Revolution” Graphite and Other Additives What Base Type Do You Need? Chapter 3 SNOW Characteristics of Snow Extremely Cold Snow Cold and Medium Snow Zero-Degree Snow Above Zero Degrees Special Considerations Types of Snow Chapter 4 HOW KICK WAX WORKS The Right Kick Wax for the Situation Type of Snow Icing Dirt Again Chapter 5 HOW GLIDE WAX WORKS Crystal Elasticity Controlled Friction Surface Tension Dry Lubrication and Additives Dirt Repulsion Part 2 TECHNIQUES OF SKI PREPARATION Chapter 6 WHAT MAKES A SKI SLOW? Flex Base Structure Base Condition Wax Final Prepping Base Types Chapter 7 THE SCRAPER When to Steel-Scrape Sharpening and Maintaining the Scraper How to Use the Scraper Other Uses of the Scraper Chapter 8 FLATTENING AND SMOOTHING THE BASE Steel-Scraping Sanding Removing Hair Buffing Pads and Brushes Stone-Grinding Chapter 9 STRUCTURE Structuring Methods Patterns of Structure Linear Structures Cross Structures Random Structure Structuring Tools and Techniques Chapter 10 APPLYING WAX Waxing Tools and Techniques Mixing Waxes Layering Ironing Some Waxing Tips Wax Removal Travel-Waxing Chapter 11 FINAL PREPPING Scraping Brushing Some Pointers on Roto Brushes Pre-Start Brushing Chapter 12 KICK-WAXING Choice of Kick Wax Kick-Waxing Tools and Techniques Corks and Corking Binders Layering Rescue Operations Zero-Degree Conditions and “Hairies” Klister Cleaning Kick-Waxing Secrets and Junior Racing Part 3 SOME FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS Chapter 13 FLUOROCARBONS Fluorocarbon “Formats” How to Apply Fluoros The “Traditional” Way A New Direction Brushing Putting Fluoros on Classic Skis Maintenance Fluoros and Junior Racing Chapter 14 SAFETY IN THE WAX ROOM Chapter 15 WAX ROOMS AND TEST AREAS The Wax Room Testing and Warm-up Areas For Kick Wax For Glide Wax and Skis Chapter 16 TESTING SKIS AND GLIDE Speed Traps Glide-Out Tests “Competitive” Glide Testing Subjective Testing Simple Testing Options Testing Wax/Structure Ski Selection Instruments Thermometers Hygrometers Advanced Glide Testing Other Methods Chapter 17 TESTING KICK WAX Preparation Testing Basics Rate and Retest Chapter 18 SKI REPAIR Bindings Mounting Bindings Loose or Torn-out Bindings Scratches Filling Gouges Not-So-Bad Scratches Delamination Bubbles Dents APPENDIX 1— TOOL LIST APPENDIX 2— EQUIPMENT, TOOL, AND WAX SOURCES APPENDIX 3— RECORDING RESULTS, SAMPLE TEST SHEETS Glide Test Record Sheet Split Pair Kick Wax Test Form GLOSSARY INDEX B C D F G H I K L M P R S T W ABOUT THE AUTHOR