Have Fun! Smile

Don't touch me there.

Here’s a goal for the Birkie: A Big Smile on Main Street.
The Birkie is a big event and I hope everyone enjoys being part of it. We all want to do our best but frankly I remember very little of my best race there. Ask me about 51 degree year or the time it snowed 8 inches the night before, yea I remember that, minute by agonizing minute.

This weekend looks pretty good. It will be cold but we have dealt with that before. The snow is fast and firm so the 10th wave sugar snow will stay in the 10th wave. (For those in the 10th wave it will provide good motivation to get out of the 10th wave). The lake will probably be plowed but that has been done before. The course should be pretty open with the classic skiers and the skaters separated past OO. There should be more room to maneuver so pacing will be even more important.

Waxing should be pretty easy. The biggest concern is for Birkie skiers having the wax erode. Top skiers are using FC7 (cold Cera) over HF6 and later skiers are looking at HF7 with a HF6 cover. For those who don’t care LF6 or 7 should be just fine. It will be fast for EVERYONE! Don’t sweat the wax. Classic skiers will probably need a klister base (Toko Green, Swix Green) put on thin and smooth with a cover wax the day of. My source says it is very abrasive but fast. Try not to snowplow (all skiers) as it just scrubs off wax in addition to slowing you down.

Dress warm and have some throw clothes for the start. Warm drinks before helps warm your core and get you hydrated as well. The hydration process starts now. Keep your tank full till Sat.
A couple things for your day. In addition to dry clothes (hat and gloves) put the following in your drop bag. Ski slides or sleeves. It is a pain to carry loose skis around. Shoes for after the race, ski boots are not meant for hiking. Some cash, those brats at Angler’s are even better after a marathon. Disposable camera, your memory ain’t what it used to be.

We had a good last 20 weeks and it does not end at the Birkie. March skiing is so fine. Fast, firm and warm. Everyone looks ready and improved this year. Be confident as you ski, keep your head up and I’ll see you on Main Street….smiling.

Talk to you soon.

Helper

Luger