Date: 02/04/2023  Time: 09:00 am
Location: Crested Butte, Colorado
Event Website: http://cbnordic.org

Weather Forecast
Click here for latest forecast:
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.8704&lon=-106.9858
Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 25. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
Wednesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around -2. Wind chill values as low as -10. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Sunny, with a high near 34. Wind chill values as low as -10. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon.
Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 6. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming east northeast in the evening.
Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the morning.
Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11.
Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

Wax Recommendation

Base Glide Layer Recommendation:

Rode Graphite ** won test handily
- OR -
Holmenkol FF21
- OR -
Swix Marathon White

Having a hard underlayer will help with the cold, dry snow expected and will provide durability and dirt repulsion. Given that it will be getting extremely cold overnight up until race time, we expect that Graphite will be the best choice, but Rode Endurance and Holmenkol FF21 would be excellent choices. Swix Marathon would be another good option.

Race Paraffin Recommendation:

Holmenkol FF Blue ** won test
-OR-
Rode R20 with Rode Arctic Powder mixed in
-OR-
Holmenkol FF Green on a colder pair


Powder Recommendation:

N/A - Fluor-free race


Topcoat Recommendation:

Holmenkol FF1 Blue ** won test
- OR -
Rode RL Blue

Structure Recommendation:

Cold grind such as S0.3 or S1.3 for skating, C1.2 or C1L for classic.
Hand structure will likely not be in play


Kick Wax Recommendation:

For longer races, iron in a base layer of Vauhti Super Base, shorter races iron in Guru Green.
Waxes of the day that could be great:
Guru Green
Holmenkol Green
Rode Green
Rode Blue Multigrade
Rode B310


Notes:
It was very cold snow Friday morning (-20C at 10AM), so this test was not indicative of what we will likely see on race day. Regardless, the snowpack is going to remain cold all day today and will cool down overnight, so it is clear that hard, cold waxes are key. Harden up the bases with a hard underlayer, and perhaps iron it in 2-3 times to get maximum wax in the base. The Rode Graphite was very fast today, almost winning the test alone. This will be a mandatory underlayer for maximum speed and durability.

Come by the CB Nordic center Cat Barn and ask for Nathan if you need any of these waxes.....

Testing Results:
Cold Snow (-20C) at 9-10AM
1. Holmenkol FF Blue
2. Holmenkol FF Green
3. Rode R20 Blue (close to FF Green)
4. Holmenkol FF21
5. Rode R30 Violet/Graphite
5. Rode Endurance
6. Rode R30 Violet

Rode Graphite was very fast today, and was competitive with the winners of the test alone. Definitely use this as an underlayer

Testing Discussion:
Snow was very cold, and Holmenkol was a bit superior today. The FF Blue will be an excellent choice for race wax as it will handle the warming snow and was fastest on the cold stuff.