The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics have been nothing short of amazing. It is hard not to be in awe of the world-class athletes, but they can't do it all by themselves. Support staff and equipment specialists across all sports help Olympians maximize their skill, precision and athleticism.
Nowhere is that more true than in skiing, where preparing equipment plays a critical role in helping athletes navigate the elements. Across the skiing disciplines — biathlon, cross-country, freestyle and Nordic combined — technicians have a significant impact in taking their Olympians across the finish line.
So what in the world is waxing? (Hint: we're not talking eyebrows).
What is waxing?
Waxing in skiing is the process of applying specialized wax to the base of skis. It involves melting solid wax with an iron or applying liquid wax, then scraping and brushing the excess to ensure a smooth and durable surface.
There are two kinds of wax utilized for cross-country skiing: glide wax and kick wax.
Glide wax, which is used to reduce friction between skis and the snow, is applied to the entire ski in freestyle races, but only to the front and rear tips in other sports. Kick wax, also known as grip wax, increases the friction in order to improve traction. It is applied in the middle for the classical cross-country races.
With different waxes required based on the conditions and altitude, waxing is both an art and a science.
Closing the gap
There is not a ton of parity in biathlon. The traditional superpowers reign supreme over the less-established nations. The gap can't just be chalked up to athletic superiority; resources contributed to the support teams can make all the difference.
Sweden has a team of eight technicians tucked away in the corner of the car park at the Olympic venue. The techs work long hours to ensure their athletes have the best skis. They ensure that their biathletes are prepared for whatever snow conditions the day brings.
"We are always on site six hours before the first race starts, then we prepare the skis for the day," Sweden's waxing team boss Ulf Eriksson said. "Three and a half hours before the start, we go out and start testing the skis. We do this until about an hour before the start, and then we wax the skis according to what we have found during those tests."
Ski wax is the secret sauce of winter sports like biathlon and cross-country skiing. To balance the downhill and flat parts of the track, competitors seek a perfect blend of gliding and grip. Choosing between glide wax and kick wax depends on weather conditions, such as temperature and snow density.
"The snow in Anterselva is dry and fine-grained, and a little bit rough because of the altitude," Eriksson said. "But we have the same routines regardless of the weather and the conditions."
Biathletes of Denmark and Great Britain are not so lucky, instead having to rely on the kindness of other nations. The Swedish technicians help out the British team, but do not share the details of what they do.
"Germany has been very, very helpful," Denmark biathlete Sondre Slettemark said. "They have waxed amazing skis both on the sprint race and the pursuit for me, which has been so nice, and I owe them a lot. We don't have the funds or the people to wax our own skis at all, so that Germany is able to help us like this is absolutely crucial for our skiing and our competitions."
The Closing the Gap initiative is a part of the International Biathlon Union's (IBU) broader Target 2030 plan, which focuses on empowering national federations, enhancing events and increasing the global reach of the sport.
Reuters contributed to this report.
The wax cowboys
Technicians don't get sponsorships and don't have the social media following most Olympic athletes do. They have to build their brand themselves. Enter the "Wax Cowboys."
The new documentary "Long Shots: U.S. Biathlon's Underdog Story" gives viewers an inside look at Team USA's wax cabin. Inside are the United States' technicians — a small group of Italians — led by general manager Federico Fontana.
Before Fontana and his crew could come up with a name for their group, Norway's technicians — also Italians — claimed the "Wax Mafia." Fontana was jealous of the moniker, but as the waxers for Team USA, they had a natural backup. And now he gets to wear a sheriff's badge.
Despite the Wax Cowboys' hard work, the U.S. has not been fast enough to compete with the Norwegians at the 2026 Olympics. With only a few events left, Norway has eight biathlon medals to the zero for the U.S. Team USA did finish 5th in the men's 4x7.5km relay, their best-ever showing in the event.
A waxing love story
Some skiers leave their waxing to the person they trust the most. Team USA Alpine skier Paula Moltzan's ski technician happens to also be her husband.
Moltzan said Ryan Mooney, a former skier himself, serves as her waxer, coach, chauffeur, travel agent and even photographer.
“It is definitely a more unique situation — I think we might be the only duo of husband and wife out there on the [FIS Alpine] World Cup Tour,” Moltzan said in a 2023 interview. “He knows exactly how I like my skis for whatever type of snow there is."
The couple married in September 2022, but their relationship as ski racer and ski technician extends back even further.
“He’s been my serviceman for so long; I think since 2016, so it would be weird if he wasn’t doing my skis,” she said. “You obviously trust your coaches and servicemen, but when it comes to your life partner, there’s another layer of trust there."
