Norwegian researchers are behind the official international recommendations to ensure fluor-free skis. This is how they came up with the procedure for cleaning skis and equipment for traces of fluor.

Launching a new fluor-free guide: This spring, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) and the International Biathlon Union (IBU) announced a total ban on fluor starting next season. 

This summer, the international federations presented the test procedure and protocol for how the fluor ban will be enforced this winter. The consequences of a ‘red’ result on the fluor equipment are harsh: skiers who receive a red light may not start. The skier’s skis can also be tested again after the competition. If the skis then test red, the skier will be disqualified, and the decision cannot be appealed. 

Therefore, the Norwegian Ski Association has invested considerable resources in developing procedures and guidelines to ensure that athletes do not arrive at the start with skis that give a ‘red’ result. 

In May, the Norwegian Ski Association hired a dedicated fluor-free coordinator and created a dedicated portal on its website with information, videos, and other content related to the fluor ban.

Norwegian fluor free guide becomes an international standard

Stein Olav Snesrud, former head of waxing for the Norwegian national cross-country skiing team, is the Norwegian Ski Association’s fluor-free coordinator. 

Read More: Norwegian Ski Association appoints new waxing manager and fluor-free coordinator.

Now, Snesrud, in collaboration with Norwegian researchers and Swix, has created a guide on how to clean skis from fluor. There is a lot of testing and research behind this recipe, and the results are so thorough that the guide has been adopted as the official international recommendation for both FIS and IBU. 

Langrenn.com had a chat with Christian Gløgård, Research & Development Manager at Swix. The experienced researcher, who has a background in the pharmaceutical industry, has been at the forefront of research into fluor-cleaning methods and was instrumental in developing the new fluor-free guide. 

The article continues below.

Who tested and developed the new guidelines, which have become the official fluor-free guide?

“We’ve been testing in the field and the lab for a long time. We have collaborated with the international federations FIS/IBU and the Norwegian national waxing teams. Our recommended cleaning method, which we use for those going to ski races this winter, is the same as that recommended by FIS and NSF. Then we at Swix have adapted it to specific products (which we know are easy to get hold of) to make it easier to follow the procedure and verify that it works with the recommended products.”

What is the most important thing you found during this research? 

“The cleaning method is effective, but also that fluor compounds embedded in the base material migrate to the surface. This is especially true on competition skis that have previously had a lot of fluor in them. It is therefore important to repeat the cleaning process several times, both before and during the season, to ensure that you remove fluor compounds from the base.”

Also Read – Fluor ban: how to clean skis and equipment.

So, this is a complex process. What surprised you most about how extensive it is to remove fluor thoroughly enough to ensure you get a green light in the testing equipment?

“Getting clean skis is not difficult, but it requires you to follow the procedure and ensure you don’t drag in contaminants from products and prepping equipment.” 

So far, has the testing device used to detect whether fluor has been used under athletes’ skis been criticized for being unreliable? 

“When it comes to the method itself and measuring on skis, you need to use a jig so that the device measures perpendicular to the base. Without this, you can get some ‘noise’ in the measurements,” says Gløgård to Langrenn.com.