2001/2002 Season Nordic
 
 
Telluride Ridgeway Race, Saturday March 2, 2002     Telluride, Colorado
Temperature  -12 F
30 Mile Mountain Traverse
Pat O'Neill 1st Overall HS-0 White  time 5:56
Jim Faust 2nd Overall HS-0 White


Salmela Cup  Saturday, March 2, 2002  Duluth, MN  15K classic
Grant Nelson 1st Overall HS-10 Teal Fisher
Dave Nelson 2nd Overall HS-10 Teal Fisher


Sibley Ski Tour  Saturday, March 2, 2002  Lake Mary Louise, Ontario Canada
Temperature about 4 F at the start
20K Freestyle
Clay Diggins 1st Overall HS-0 White Peltonen 
Clay reported a fast course and very fast skis!


AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER  Saturday,  February 23, 2002   Cable to Hayward, WI
Temperature 30 at the start, 48 at the finish, with a little rain.
Birkie 47K Freestyle
Ross Dreger 62 Overall Bronze/Salmon blend 
Flite ironed in 
Rossi 
Rilled
Grant Nelson 92 Overall Bronze/Flite Fisher
Dave Nelson 110 Overall Bronze/Flite Fisher
Jay Tegeder 191 Overall Salmon/Flite Peltonen 
Wet Grind
Clay Diggins 211 Overall Salmon/Flite Atomic  RS10 
Rilled
Randy Larson 285 Overall Bronze/Flite Madshus 
Wet Grind
 
Josie Nelson 36 Overall Bronze/Flite Fisher
Kati Campbell 1st Age Group 
47 Overall
Salmon/Flite Fisher
Katherine Himes Lescher 71 Overall Salmon/Flite Fisher
Birkie Classic
Dave Christopherson 1st Age Group 
3 Overall
Bronze/Flite Rossi
The keys to the race were having a large rill and wet flexed ski.  Many skiers reported fast skis on both Salmon/Flite and Bronze/Flite, but skiers on stiffer flexed skis and/or fine or universal grind skis that were not well-rilled also reported skis that slowed down as the temps warmed up and the snow got wetter and softer.  Bronze without Flite produced reports of good glide, but Salmon without Flite was not as good.
The rumor on the street is the Americans and the Italians had the same waxing system,  except the Italians had a large rill and in the end they pulled away.
 


Finlandia     Saturday,   February 16, 2002     Bemidji,  Minnesota
Temperature 30 to 35 F, 1 to 1.5 inches of  lucky new snow on Friday night
Bemidjithon  22K Freestyle
Clay Diggins 1st Age Group 
4th Overall
HSF-30 Salmon/Flite 
 
Atomic RS-10 
Universal Grind
Dan Meyer 1st Age Group  
 
HSF-30 Salmon/Flite Atomic RS-10 
Universal Grind
Dan Cruser 2nd Age Group HSF-30 Salmon/Flite Madshus 
Factory Grind
The Flite ironed in over Salmon worked well, however, a small rill or humid  grind may have helped in the 2nd lap as the temperature heated up. The groomers did an excellent job of grooming the trail, however, the base layer of snow was extremely dirty and the new snow got mixed in to the dirty layer as the race progressed and may have also slowed the trail down.


MORA VASALOPPET   Sunday February 10, 2002  Knife Lake
Temperature 22 F, 3 to 5 inches fresh new snow, 10 to 15 mph north wind.
30K Classic
Josie Nelson 1st Overall HSF-20 Tan  Fisher
Katherine Himes Lescher 2nd Age Group 
3rd Overall
HSF-20 Tan Fisher 
Fine Grind
Dave Nelson 1st Age Group 
5th Overall
HSF- 20 Tan Fisher 
Dave Meyer 3rd Age Group 
12th Overall
HSF-20 Tan Fisher 
Fine Grind 
45K Freestyle
Kati Campbell 1st Age Group 
7th overall
HSF-20 Tan/Flite Fisher Fine Grind
30K Freestyle
Clay Diggins 7th age group 
22nd overall
HSF-20 Tan Fisher Fine Grind
When he broke a pole at 3K, Clay knew his chance to place was over, but credited very fast skis (and some frustrated energy) with his 22nd place finish after skiing with one pole for part of the race, and an oversized replacement for most of it.
15K Freestyle
Jessie Diggins 2nd age group HSF-20 Tan Rossi


Pre-Birkie   Saturday, February 9, 2002, Cable, Wisconsin Telemark & Birkie Trails
Temperature 28 F, overcast 95% humidity, old transformed snow
25K Freestyle
 
Kati Campbell 1st Age Group HSF-30 Salmon Fisher
 
Ross Dreger 8th Age Group 
33 Overall
HSF-30 Salmon/Flite Rossi 
Factory Grind
John Stamm 3rd Age Group HSF-30 Salmon/Flite Atomic Beta RS-10 
Universal grind
Jay Tegeder 13th Age Group HSF-30 Salmon/Flite Peltonen


Wisconsin State High School Championships  February 9 & 10  Rib Lake, WI
Congratulations Spooner Boy's team - 2nd place overall in pursuit finals, using Fast Wax Salmon with Flite #11.
And we have to note the Outstanding Sportsmanship of the Spooner Girl's team, dq'd from pursuit results because a racer did not finish- she stopped to help a skier from another team who was seriously injured in a fall.  The whole team supported her decision & made their coaches proud!

 Inga Lami   Sunday, February 3, 2002, Long Lake, ( On the Lake ) Minnesota
Temperature mid 20's cold strong wind 25 mph from the north
12K Freestyle
Kati Campbell 1st Age Group 
4th Overall
HSF - 30 Salmon Fisher 
Factory Grind
Deb Diggins 19th overall HSF - 20 Tan Rossi Xium
The strong north wind decreased humidity rapidly, creating dry, cold snow.  Both Kati and Deb felt their skis were OK but would have been better on Blue or Teal.


Wilderness Trek, Sunday, February 3, 2002  Ely, Minnesota
Temperature 12 - 15 F partly sunny
15K Freestyle
Katherine Lescher 2nd Age Group 
6th Overall
HSF- 10 Green Fisher
Grant Nelson 6th Overall HSF - 20 Tan Fisher


Alley Loop, Saturday,  February 2, 2002   Crested Butte, Colorado
Temperature 10 F at the start, climbing to the upper teen's for the finish
42K Freestyle
Pat O"Neill 5th Age Group 
10th Overall
HSF 10 Green Fisher
Pat used 3 layers of HSF -10 Green over 3 layers of HSF - 20 Tan


Porcupine Mountains Classic, Saturday February 2, 2002
Temperature 10 F, New Snow
40K Classic
Josie Nelson 1st Overall HSF - 10 Green Fisher
Dave Nelson 3rd Overall 
2nd Age Group
HSF -10 Green Fisher


Wilderness Trek, Saturday, February 2, 2002  Ely, Minnesota
Temperature Upper 20's F Cloudy
15K Classic
Katherine Lescher 

Grant Nelson

1st Age Group 
4th Overall 
3rd Overall
HSF-20 Tan Fisher
A good day for Tan!


Vinterloppet, Saturday, January 26, 2002  Grand Rapids, Minnesota
Temperature 26 F, humid cloudy, icy fast snow
24K Freestyle
Dave Christopherson 1st Age Group 
10th Overall
HSF-30 Salmon/Flite Rossi
Jay Tegeder 6th Age Group 
19 Overall
HSF-30 Salmon/Flite Peltonen
Dan Meyer 2nd Age Group 
 
HSF -30 Salmon/Flite Atomic RS-10 Beta 
Universal Grind
12 Freestyle
Clay Diggins 1st Overall HSF-30 Salmon/Flite corked in Peltonen
Deb Diggins 1st Age Group 
3rd Overall
HSF-30 Salmon/ Flite corked in Rossi Xium 
Factory Grind
Jessie Diggins 2nd Age Group 
12 Overall
HSF - 30 Salmon Rossi
Perfect Salmon/Flite conditions for very fast skis!


Noquemenon, Saturday, January 26, 2002  Marquette, Michigan
Temperature upper 20's, old dirty snow
42K Classic
Josie Nelson 1st Age Group 
4th Overall
HSF-30 Salmon/Flite ironed and corked Fisher
Dave Nelson 9th Age Group 
14th Overall
HSF-30 Salmon/Flite 
ironed and corked
Fisher
Grant Nelson 10th Age Group HSF-30 Salmon/Flite 
ironed and corked
Fisher
Good competitive race with the National Team focusing on the 42K classic race
Grant wins the most diligent skier award skiing in on a broken ski using tape and sticks to hold the ski together (see www.skinnyski.com for the story as written by Josie Nelson!)


Crested Butte Saturday   January 19, 2002     Crested Butte Colorado
Temperature -10 F  Very cold and dry snow
20K Freestyle
Pat O'Neill 3rd Overall 
2nd Age  Group
HS-10 Teal Fisher
Pat has assured me it never gets this cold in the Butte 


King Boreas  Sunday    January 20, 2002  Phalen Park, St. Paul,
Temp 20 F  Thin conditions
16K Freestyle
Jay Tegeder 15th HSF-20 Tan Peltonen
John Stamm 16th HSF-20 Tan Fisher 
Fine Grind


Fridtjof Nansen  Sunday, January 20, 2002  Tower Ridge Ski Trails
Temp 20 F  Perfect Conditions, greasy fast snow, medium-hard trail, excellent snow cover
15K Freestyle
Vicki Larson 3rd Age Group 
10th Overall
HSF-30 Salmon Madshus
Clay Diggins 2nd Age Group 
6th Overall
HSF - 20 Tan Peltonen 
Universal Grind
Randy Larson 2nd Age Group 
12th Overall
HSF - 30 Salmon, Flite corked in Madshus 
Wet grind


Pepsi Challenge  Saturday, January 19, 2002   Giants Ridge
Temp 10 F, humid  Hardpacked icy conditions
24K Freestyle
Dan Cruiser 1st Age Group 
22nd Overall
HSF-10 Green Madshus
Friday night weather change from sub-zero lows to low teens; Dan was prepared and tested both HS0 White and HSF10 at the race site Saturday; the Green Fluoro was "really good"


Balsam Vinter Fest    Saturday, January 19, 2002   Balsam Branch Trails, Amery Wis
Temp 23 F  Two inches soft new snow Thin Conditions
10K Freestyle
Clay Diggins 1or 2 Overall* HS0 White Fisher
*Mix up at the start, some skiers started with the 20 K racers
20K Freestyle
Katie Campbell 1st Age Group 
2nd Overall
HS0 White Fisher
Clay and Katie both went with the colder wax choice (vs. HSF20 Tan) after testing skis before the race.  Clay's skis were good; Katie's average


Seeley Hills Classic  Saturday, January 19, 2002   Seeley Hills, Wisconsin
Temp 15 F,  1 to 2 inches of new powdery snow, icy hard pack underneath
42 K Classic
 
Josie Nelson 1st Overall HS-0 White Fisher
 
Katherine Himes Lescher 2nd Age Group 
3rd Overall
HS-0 White Fisher
Grant Nelson 1st Age Group 
2nd Overall 
HS-0 White Fisher
Dave Nelson 2nd Age Group 
4th Overall
HS-0 White Fisher
22 K Classic
Dave Christopherson 1st Age Group 
5th Overall
HSF-20 Tan/TK-72 Rossi
Jay Tegeder 7th Age Group 
 
HS-0 White Peltonen
Dan Meyer 4th Age Group HS-0 White Madshus
Everyone was pleasantly surprised to wake up Saturday morning to a mild 10 F instead of the 10 F below zero predicted. Even with the warmer temperature the HS-0 White worked well on the icy snow. Most skiers were kicking on a variety of Blue and Blue extra kick waxes

Blue Hills Ascent  January 6  Bruce, WI  6.5K Freestyle  Temp low 20's, sugary snow
Katherine Himes Lescher Winner- Women's  
3rd place overall
HSF-30 Salmon Fisher 
 
Katherine had fast skis on Salmon but felt that Tan would have been even better given the snow conditions.  See a photo of Katherine with her 1st place trophy on  Skinnyski.com, Race Results page, Blue Hills race(awards ceremony photo #4)



Crested Butte Nordic Council Race Series Crested Butte, CO,  Jan 5th,   20K Classic,  Temperature 12 F
Perfect Conditions  5 ft +  Snow on the trail 
Pat O'Neill 1st Age Group 
 
HSF - 10 Green Fisher


St. Cloud, Minnesota, January 6, 2002   St. John's Race  13K Freestyle
Temperature 20 F  Old Snow,  South Wind
John Stamm 1st Age Group 
19th Overall
HS - 20  Blue Rossi 
Universal Grind


St. Paul, Minnesota,  January 5, 2002     Lake Josephine Jam   8K Freestyle
Temperature 22 F Quick loop around the lake
Dave Christopherson 3rd HSF - 20 Tan Rossi
Jay Tegeder 9th HSF -  20 Tan Peltonen


Long Lake, Minnesota, December 30, 2001   Baker Rock Ski Open Time Trial 
Temperature 10 to 12F,  Dry Powdery Snow,  10 to 15 mph wind from the northwest
5K & 10K Time Trial
Dave Christopherson 3rd HS - 10 Teal Rossi 
Parking Lot Grind
Clay Diggins 12th HS - 10 Teal Peltonen
Jay Tegeder 9th   (5K) HS - 10 Teal Peltonen


Hayward, Wisconsin,  December 29, 2001

Double Pole Derby 5K Classic & 10K Freestyle
Temperature 3 F. Dry powdery snow, wind from the north
Randy Larson 
5K
2nd Age Group 
12th Overall
HS - 0 White  Madshus 
Fine Structure
Randy Larson 
10K
5th Age Group 
27th Overall 
 
HS - 0 White Madshus 
Fine Structure



Crested Butte Co. 10 K December 15, 2001
Temperature 10 F,
An excellent early season 10 K of 26 minutes  22 seconds @ 9500 ft. elevation
Pat O'Neill 1st Age Group 
7th Over All
HSF 10 Green Fisher
 

Kangaroo Hoppet  August 2001  Falls Creek, Victoria, NSW  Australia
Fast Wax once again makes a trip Down Under and impresses the Aussies!
LeRoy Youngblom from Mora, MN wrote, " I used the HSF 40 at the Kangaroo-Hoppet and it lasted the whole race.  The snow was very abrasive and the temp was about 35 degrees, give or take 10 either  way depending on the hills and shadows."
LeRoy told us that a local shop was amazed to see that his skis still held some  Bronze wax after this grueling race...maybe next year you'll be able to buy Fast Wax in Australia...