The DailyPlanet web site has a video of Leonid Kuzmin talking about his research into cross country ski glide wax. Kuzim argues that his reseach indicates that a glide waxed ski, while faster in the first kilometer of skiing, is actually slower than an unwazed, steel scraped ski over distance. The reason: a glide waxed base picks up dirt much faster than an unwaxed ski based, and dirt slows the ski.
Kuzmin's research papers go into much more detail and, as can be expected, have generated an enormous amount of controversy.
Links:
- Kuzim's original research papers (1.8MB PDF)
- Kuzmin's thesis presentation at Luleå University of Technology
- Original press release (12/8/2005) from the Mdi Sweden University (PDF)
- DailyPlanet video
- Base Materials & Wax: Can a ski base actually absorb wax?
Zach Caldwell (Engineered Tuning, a well regarded base grinding company)
- Introduction to UHMWPE
- Extruded and press-sintered running bases
From IMS Plastics, manufacturer of UHMWPE.
- Regarding Leonid Kuzmin's Thesis on Skis being Faster without Wax
Ian Harvey, Toko USA Brand Manager
- Toko Thermo Bag
Toko US web site
