- Hans Weber
- May 14, 2024
Why go to Jizerska 50 without fluorine waxes?
In 2023, new FIS rules came into force, implying a ban on all waxes with a fluorine component. For organisers 57. CEZ Jizera 50 is the environment and health of competitors the biggest priority and therefore they do not take this new ban lightly. Fluorine waxes can form so-called eternal compounds in nature, which are toxic and never decompose spontaneously. In addition, they can have carcinogenic effects. Skiers with a supply of such waxes at home will be able to exchange them for a completely safe alternative with SWIX experts at a 50% discount.
“Perfluorinated substances (pfas in a nutshell, belonging to the so-called perpetual chemicals) contain organically bound fluorine, which is probably the worst type of contaminant mankind has produced to date,” explains Jaroslav Semerád from the Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology MBÚ AVČR. These substances are extremely toxic because they never decompose naturally, and conversely accumulate in nature and in the human body. Some of them have been shown to cause cancer and other serious illnesses.
“Fluorine waxes are the main source of PFAS in mountainous remote areas, where they are mainly carried by cross-country skiers, who often unwittingly rub these waxes on their slides,” adds Tomáš Cajthaml from the Environment Institute of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences UK. The most serious results were found in the Jizera Mountains, which are a popular destination not only for competitors of the Jizera 50. The increased concentration of PFAS at the busiest junctions of the Jizera Municipality may lead to trace contamination of drinking water in Jablonec nad Nisou and Liberci. “I believe that banning these types of wax will significantly improve the situation on the Czech mountains. We know that after Jizera 50, PFAS levels were several times higher than before it started,” says Cajthaml. Measurements before and after the event are planned by researchers in cooperation with Jizerska o.p.s. and SWIX this year and they anticipate significantly lower values.
The market leader, SWIX, has been developing fluoro-free waxes as one of the first manufacturers since 2019. “We want to go opposite the change, which is why, purely for environmental reasons, we have announced the Old as New event, in which we will offer the replacement of old toxic waxes with new, healthy and nature-safe alternatives, at a discount of 50%,” says Jan Weisshäutel, SWIX.Skiers can hand over fluorine waxes in their original packaging from all brands, as well as partially used ones, at collection points, for example just on Jizera 50. Specifically, this can be combined with picking up your starting number at OC Nisa Liberec, or directly at the stadium in Bedřichov in the SWIX stand. Not only will this move protect yourself, your loved ones and nature, but you can also buy new safe and effective alternatives at a discount of up to 50%.
“This ban is not about faster or slower skis, but about protecting health and nature. This is why, as the Ski Association of the Czech Republic, we unequivocally support a ban on fluoro waxes. At Jizera 50, we will have a special measuring device that is able to reliably and quickly recognize PFAS on the slide,” says Michal Kucera, for the union.
“Conscientious competitors who only pass through the contaminated track need not worry about disqualification,” says Jizera 50 spokesman Richard Valoušek. “Our goal is primarily to educate not only competitors, but all skiers about how much harmful fluorine-containing waxes can be and that it makes sense not to use them,” Valoušek adds.
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