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From the FasterSkier archive — posts syndicated from athletes’ and coaches’ own blogs between 2004 and 2012, kept online as published. Current coverage is at fasterskier.com.

Tag: 44th American Birkebeiner

  • Birkie, Kortelopet & Prince Haakon Race Registration Price Increase Fast Approaching

    (Press release)

    Last Chance to Guarantee Birkie Gear Bag for 2018 Races

    Hayward, Wis. (June 26, 2017) – Registration for the 2018 American Birkebeiner schedule of ski events opened in May and included North America’s largest cross-country ski race, the Slumberland American Birkebeiner (Birkie), the Kortelopet, (Korte) and Prince Haakon races. This Friday, June 30, 2017, registration prices for 2018 ski events will increase.

    There is a 10,500-participant race cap for the combined three races. Registration will close when this cap is reached. Wave Placement is based on a first registered, first seeded basis. Once a wave has filled, participants will be placed in the next available wave. All three races sold out in 2017. Registration for all events is available at www.Birkie.com.

    Friday, February 23, 2018

    • 10:45am – Kortelopet 29K Classic & Skate Ski Race
      • North America’s second largest ski race will journey from the Highway “OO” Trailhead east of Seeley, WI, to the finish line on Hayward’s Main Street.
    • 1:15pm – Prince Haakon 15K Classic & Skate Ski Race
      • A race which honors the eventual Norwegian King, rescued and skied to safety by Birkebeiner warriors in 1206, the Prince Haakon Race will begin near Mosquito Brook, outside of Hayward, WI, and will finish in downtown Hayward.

    Saturday, February 24, 2018

    • 8:30am – 44th Annual Slumberland American Birkebeiner 50K Skate & 55K Classic Ski Race
      • 2018 Slumberland American Birkebeiner skiers will embark on an over 50K journey (50K skate/55K classic) to their destination in Hayward, WI. North America’s largest cross-country ski race finds thousands of skiers recreating the journey that Norwegian Birkebeiner warriors traveled to save Prince Haakon – the very legacy of the American Birkebeiner race.

    Going Green with Birkie Gear Bag

    During the registration process for the 2018 Slumberland American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, or Prince Haakon races, registrants have an opportunity to help the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF) to go greener by donating $35 to the ABSF toward a reusable Birkie gear bag. This reusable backpack or duffle style bag will be used in lieu of the large plastic bags skiers normally receive as part of their race packet at bib pick-up. The Birkie gear bag is designed to hold skiers warm clothes and personal belongings needed at the race finish.

    The durable backpack style bag is 26.5 x 10.5 x 12.5, with zippers, clip closures, a special clear sleeve for bib numbers, and sturdy backpack straps. The $125 value exclusive Birkie gear bag is available only while supplies last and only guaranteed before the June 30, 2017 registration price increase. It is the hope of the ABSF that participants will choose this option which will ultimately assist in reducing the overall amount of waste generated by use of plastic bags during the annual ski events. Only the official Birkie gear bag or the provided yellow or white plastic bags will be accepted at bag drop-off on race day 2018; no other bags or packs will be accepted for bag transport. The Birkie gear bag is a slightly larger version of that used by the US Ski Team athletes. Details are available at www.Birkie.com.

  • Birkie Announces Weather-Related Course Change

    Birkie Announces Weather-Related Course Change

    The 44th annual 2017 American Birkebeiner events won’t be finishing in downtown Hayward this year after a warm-weather spell and rain in the forecast have made for unstable conditions on Lake Hayward in Wisconsin. The Birkie will likely be held on a modified course this coming Saturday, Feb. 26. (Photo: ABSF)

    On Monday, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF) announced via a press release it will be adjusting the race course for Birkie events, set to take place this week in Hayward, Wis., due to “recent above average temperatures, along with continued warm weather conditions and rain forecast for today.”

    “After this weekend’s warm weather, Lake Hayward is no longer a viable option for race week,” the press release stated. “As part of a normal race, skiers would ski across Lake Hayward before entering downtown Hayward. Without Lake Hayward, there is no longer a possibility of finishing races in downtown Hayward. Given this decision, the International Bridge that normally spans Highway 63, will not be installed for Birkie week events this year. While snow is in the forecast for later this week, a downtown finish is no longer a feasible option for 2017 events.

    Birkie Weather Impact History:

    1981 – Elites only race 6 laps around 8K track around Mt. Telemark due to weather
    1981 – Snow arrives two weeks late, citizen skiers complete Birkie race on March 7th
    1983 – Open water on Lake Hayward, race is started on Duffy’s Field (Race direction Hayward to Cable)
    1984 – Due to lack of snow, race is started on Duffy’s Field (Race direction Hayward to Cable)
    1985 – Due to lack of snow, race is started at Rosie’s Field (Race direction Hayward to Cable)
    1991 – Due to Lack of snow, race is started at Rosie’s Field, ironically, 8” of snow fell the morning of the race (Race direction Hayward to Cable)
    1998 – The race finished at “OO”, Barnebirkie was a foot race.
    2000 – Birkie race canceled for lack of snow
    2002 – Race finished in Duffy’s Field after rain on both Friday and Saturday
    2007 – With temps of 52o and rain, the Birkie race was shortened to 25K for lack of snow; only elite skiers were timed, open ski for citizen skiers

    “As always, the safety of participants is first and foremost in mind for the entire ABSF staff and board, followed by their goal of creating the best possible participant experience for all,” the release continued. “Both things are weighed and considered with each and every decision the ABSF makes.”

    On the whole, the Birkie Trail’s base has remained “quite stable” despite the February thaw. Trails north of the OO halfway point have a four-inch base and south of it “remain mostly intact,” the release stated.

    “As of today, the possibility of finishing at Duffy Field in Hayward remains an option for Birkie Week races. That being said, the ABSF is very realistic with contingency planning and are focusing on the increasing likelihood of staging Birkie week events on the trail north of OO.”

    The locations of Thursday’s events will be made and announced on Tuesday, and the ABSF planned to wait 24 hours “to see what Mother Nature has in store for Cable and Hayward” before making decisions regarding Friday’s and Saturday’s events. The Kortelopet (half Birkie) is scheduled for Friday and full Birkie on Saturday.

    The ABSF will provide updates on its official website Birkie.com, Facebook, Twitter, direct emails and through local media (as well as here on FasterSkier).