Scraper Therapy

Scrapers, those inexpensive acrylic or polycarbonate rectangular pieces of plastic, are often overlooked in the importance of proper ski tuning / maintenance. When in fact, scrapers play an integral role in achieving maximum glide and performance from your skis. Like everything else in ski prep - progressive steps & attention to details will lead to a positive outcome. This also applies to scraper sharpening.

Additionally, I find that sharpening my scrapers before each tuning session creates the proper feng shui to get my tuning mojo flowing.

There are as many methods to sharpen scrapers, as there are scrapers in the universe - however one constant is the end result - a clean, burr free, 90' edge. Why - any nicks or burrs on your scraper will lead to damage to the skis’ base structure.

Regardless of the sharpening device or tools utilized (Edgr, TOKO, Swix, SVST Holmenkol, Beast, Maplus electric planer, pansar and so on) - there are basically 2 steps -

Step 1
coarse / rough work
(see list of sharpening devices above)

Step 2
clean up / smoothing / polishing
using 220 emery paper or 400 mesh sheetrock sanding screens; flat surface, 90 degree, aided w/ block of wood, angle iron leaving a smooth, burr-free surface.

The scraping process should take about 5 - 7 passes with a clean, sharp scraper to remove all the wax before you begin brushing and the scraper should last about 3 - 4 pairs of skis before needing to be re-sharpened. Always check the edge of the scraper after each pass to be sure that you haven’t picked up any nicks or burrs. It is also a good idea to scrape lightly after you brush, as each brush will bring more wax to the top of the structure.

Using and maintaining a clean, sharp, and burr free scraper is paramount to success in removing wax from your skis for maximum glide and performance!

So before your next tuning session, let some scraper sharpening therapy do you some good.

Building momentum toward World Cup and Winter Olympic success

With just 2 months to the first Alpine World Cup races in Solden, Austria and less than 6 months to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver /Whistler – National Alpine Teams from around the world are stepping up their training sessions in preparation for the upcoming season. Home glaciers, snowfields and southern hemisphere training are being utilized to find improvements in techniques and equipment. For some athletes it’s a return to snow after recovering from last winter’s injuries.

Most of the European teams are wrapping up their summer glacier training and getting ready to head to the Southern Hemisphere for some winter conditions. The U.S. team has recently wrapped up a training session in New Zealand and will be in South America soon.

Typically teams head to New Zealand and Australia for technical (SL & GS) training, and to Chile and Argentina for the speed discipline (SGS & DH) training.

The worldwide economic downturn has greatly affected all National teams and equipment suppliers. Many National team members must now pay out of their own pocket for a portion of their training. Some ski companies are forced to cut their service staff and have had mandatory racer salary cuts in order to manage through this financial crisis that has hit the ski world hard. With these changes look for several athletes to switch equipment this year (can you say Lindsey Vonn to Head?)

Sad news in the ski world this week as one of the greatest heroes of modern ski racing Toni Sailer, the first competitor to win all three alpine ski events at the 1956 Cortina d'Ampezzo Olympics, has died at the age of 73 after a long illness. Auf Geht’s Toni!

WHAT’S A WSB?

Waxing / Scraping / Brushing (WSB) Cycle
One method to insure that you get the maximum performance out of your skis is the WSB Cycle. Not only will it make your skis perform and glide better; it will also protect, condition and stabilize the base material. Waxing is one place where some is good, more is better!

Once your new or reground skis have been shaped and edge angles set, it is time to begin the WSB process.

SL / GS: minimum 4 – 6 WSB cycles before on snow session (hot box optional)
SGS / DH: minimum 10 WSB cycles, plus hot box session before on-snow session. Ideally, speed skis should also be “snow cycled” then WSB’d a few more times before use to get the most “speed”.

a WSB uberblick

Waxing
Use a “base prep” wax for this process. Be sure your iron is burr-free and that the “wax puddle” behind the iron is no more than 3 – 5 inches; keep iron moving and apply extra caution in the tip and tail areas, as these areas are more susceptible to damage. Allow ski to cool 20 - 30 minutes before scraping - the longer the better - (best not to exceed 3 WSB cycles per day)

Scraping
Use only a clean, 90-degree angled, plastic* scraper that is free of burrs to remove all the excess wax off the surface of the base before brushing. Scrape, tip to tail, taking many passes with progressive pressure to remove the wax. Be sure that you are getting all the wax off the ski along the entire length. Keep scraping until you cannot remove any more wax.
*more on scraper types in a future blog

Brushing
Use your brushes in long, smooth, even strokes with firm progressive pressure and two hands. Work from the stiffest brush that you chose to start with to the finest. After each brush type, take your scraper and re-scrape the ski, then pass your fibertex and fiberlene down the ski.

REPEAT AS NEEDED

YOUR DAILY TEN STEPS

The best overall approach to ski tuning and maintenance is to establish a season long maintenance program. A regular ski maintenance program will also give you a better experience on race day. It is important to train the way you race and to race the way you train. Caring for your skis can give you a distinct advantage over competitors. Keep the tuning & maintenance process as simple & uncomplicated as possible so you can reproduce winning results time and again.

Daily maintenance:
Allocate 20-30 minutes per day, per pair (assuming 0 damage) to maintain your skis.

1. Dry off your skis and binding/plate combination

2. Use a brass brush, tip to tail, to clean out the ski’s structure of wax & dirt.

3. Use a Fibertex-like pad from tip to tail to “re-fresh” the structure.

4. Perform a wax & hot scrape cleaning (cleans dirt from base every day); scrape and brush while hot.

5. Apply training wax, scrape your edges and sidewalls of wax; let cool.

6. Using your side edge file guide, re-polish all 4 side edges (medium to fine diamond stones as well as polishing stones).

7. Scrape, brush, scrape, followed by a light pass with fibertex and fiberlene.

8. Apply training wax, scrape your edges and sidewalls of wax; let cool overnight.

9. Scrape, brush, scrape followed by a light pass with fibertex before training. Use protective straps for base and edge protection for transport from wax room to slopes.

10. Repeat every day!

If you can tune a fish you should tune a ski

Why tune a ski? - fair question and besides what difference will it make if you’re not a ski racer..... well truth be told, not everyone needs a World Cup finish, but a every skier and boarder (there are a few out there) will benefit from a tune using the same principles as in the big leagues, Early season is a great time to get your skis or board off to your local reputable ski service provider to have the bases restructured and waxed and the edges cleaned, shaped and sharpened before the season hits in full swung. Having your skis/ board initially tuned or reconditioned at the start of the season will make it much easier to care for them throughout the year. some fodder to consider...... Proper ski / board maintenance will give you a better experience each and every day on the slopes and will prolong the life of your equipment. Be sure to keep the tuning & maintenance process as simple and uncomplicated as possible. Be consistent. next time .... your daily 10 step program.