February 18, 2011 (Minneapolis, MN & Hayward WI) – Amateur cross-country ski racers are now having their skis prepared for ski races like the American Birkebeiner buy professional waxing technicians just like racers at the Olympics.  Mobile waxing vehicles are now on site with a crew of technicians testing and applying the latest and fastest high tech waxes.  Properly waxes skis using the latest in high tech Fluorinated waxes can decrease a skier’s time by over ten minutes over the length of the 52 km American Birkebeiner.

GearWest Mobile Wax Station
The most advanced waxing vehicle this side of the WorldCup. Swix & GearWest techs will be testing wax and structure on the Birkie trails up to the last moment and applying it on-site to provide anyone the fastest skis possible.

Gear West, America’s largest cross country ski retailer has teamed up with Swix the world’s leading wax brand to provide any Birkie skier the same quality wax job traditionally reserved for the winners of the American Birkebeiner. For only $79.99 a racers skis will be precision glide waxed with the ideal Swix LF under-layer, Swix HF race-layer, and the perfect Swix Cera F top-coat & finished with race ready Swix hand structure and delivered to you at the Starting Line. This service is common in Europe but is only now becoming available to American Skiers.  Any skier can now: Sleep well confident that their skis will be fast, Enjoy their friends while avoiding make-shift hotel wax rooms, Leave the heavy iron and wax box at home, Have no need to purchase new waxes (exceeding $79.99) for 1 event, Not worry about unfamiliar snow conditions, Pick up their skis at the race start Sponsor Parking Lot race morning, Enjoy their fastest skis and the race.

Swix Gear West Birkie Waxing Service HERE.

Gear West owner, and multiple time top 10 Birkie racer Jan Guenther states, “We are excited to be able to provide any skier the same wax job that the winners will most likely be using stress free. People prepare for the Birkie for 364 days and we want to guarantee them a great experience with fast skis at a great price given to them at the starting line.”

Swix Marketing Director Andy Canniff states “Swix has a perfect wax for each snow condition and skiers can get our wax rec for most any race in the US online here – Birkie skiers can even purchase the waxes and tools we recommendation right here at the Birkie expo. But while applying the waxes is easily done in comfort of your own home it is not ever easy to travel with a waxing iron and wax bench and wax box nor is finding a good waxing location when staying at a hotel easy at a huge event like the Birkie. In Europe, Swix has for years teamed up with retailers to provide this service. We are pleased to be able to now bring the same service to America’s premier races. Now everyone can have fast skis and no stress.”