Racing 739 — The Ski Wax That Was Banned and Why It's Legal Now

In the late 1980s, Terry Hertel developed a ski wax so fast it got him kicked out of the industry. Racing 739 — named for its proprietary fluorocarbon chemistry — was banned from FIS competition not because it was unsafe, but because it was too effective. Established European wax brands couldn't compete, and the pressure to remove it was political, not scientific.

What Made Racing 739 Different

Racing 739 was built on the same surfactant-based chemistry that powered WhiteGold™, the wax that won Olympic gold in 1988 and 1994. Where most waxes of the era relied on temperature-specific paraffin blends, Racing 739 used a fluorocarbon compound that repelled water and dirt across a wide temperature range — making it faster in variable conditions than anything else on the market.

The result: racers using Hertel wax were consistently outperforming competitors using waxes from brands with far larger R&D budgets.

Why It Was Banned

FIS (Fédération Internationale de Ski) introduced fluorocarbon restrictions in competition waxing starting in 2020, citing environmental concerns about PFAS compounds. This is the same class of chemistry that Racing 739 was built on — and the same reason it was controversial decades earlier.

The ban applied specifically to competition use. Recreational skiing was never restricted.

Why It's Legal for Recreational Skiers Today

Racing 739 remains fully legal for recreational use. The FIS ban covers World Cup and sanctioned race events only. For everyday skiers and snowboarders, Racing 739 delivers the same performance advantage it always has — faster glide, longer durability, and all-temperature versatility that temperature-specific waxes can't match.

Each bar lasts up to 7 days of skiing, making it one of the most cost-effective performance waxes available.

Who Should Use Racing 739

• Skiers who want race-level performance without the complexity of a multi-wax kit
• Anyone skiing variable conditions (warm mornings, cold afternoons, icy groomers)
• East Coast and Midwest skiers dealing with hardpack and man-made snow
• Snowboarders who want maximum glide in the flats

Race-level performance for everyday skiers. Shop Racing 739™ — Lasts Up to 7 Days, Made in USA →