April 03, 2012 (Norway) – For many in the cross-country ski community, Norwegian Leif Torgersen was fondly known as “Doctor Wax”, the man who literally ate, slept and drank wax science during his  years as senior research scientist at Swix. He truly looked the part – straight out of the 1930s, professorial with eyeglasses, and a quirky demeanor. His affection for every aspect of the cross-country ski sport was well known as he was equally at home skiing the tracks or in the backcountry as he was working at a World Cup or Olympic event.

My first encounter with Torgersen was an epic 30-below bright sunny December tour around Oslo’s Nordmarka tracks with him, fellow Swix employee Harald Bjerke, and then ski writer Casey Sheahan. We literally froze our toes off but it didn’t matter as the snow was green wax perfect and the camaraderie the best. A year later in the spring, Sheahan, writer John Dostal and I joined Torgersen and Norwegian Ski Council chief, Tor-Eric Hannes Larsen, on a backcountry tour in Norway’s Jutenheimen Mountains. Torgersen had the time of his life as the wild environment suited him to a tee.

Following our Jutenheimen outing, we drove to Geilo to ski in the annual Skarvarennet race/tour. The afternoon before the event Torgersen pulled out a new wax called Cera F and meticulously, and very secretly, waxed our skis. The next day as Sheahan, Dostal and I skated along passing Norwegian B and C team members, we experienced instant fame as they screamed at us: “What kind of wax are you using?” In the finish area, people crowded around wanting more information on the “secret” wax. Torgersen stood by smiling slyly.

Years later, Torgersen arrived at my home in Bend, Oregon in June  to help with one my  cross-country summer racing camps at Mount Bachelor Nordic. He worked diligently with the camp’s participants on their waxing techniques. But on one particularly brilliant, warm morning he disappeared.

Later, with a huge grin on his freshly sunburned face he reappeared offering, “It’s such a beautiful day, I couldn’t resist the temptation to ascend the mountain and ski back down.” Over 3,000 vertical feet on racing skis that most assuredly had been waxed to go fast.

Torgersen passed away January 26.