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Tag: ABSF Skier Development Grant

  • 2014 Birkie Skier Development Grant: Open for Applicants

    Birkie 2012 Champion Tad Elliott leads local Hayward High School Nordic Ski Team to Torch Lighting at start of 2014 Birkie Week
    Birkie 2012 Champion Tad Elliott leads local Hayward High School Nordic Ski Team to Torch Lighting at start of 2014 Birkie Week

    HAYWARD, Wisconsin (August 3, 2014) – The mission of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is to promote cross country skiing as a fun, energetic activity that is part of an active and healthy lifestyle. This effort focuses both on youth and adult skiers.

    To this end the Birkie Foundation annually provides grant funding opportunities to skier development programs throughout the nation. We encourage any cross country ski organization to apply.

     

    Priorities of the Skier Development Grant Program include, but are not limited to the following:

    • The creation of new or expansion of existing cross country ski programs;
    • First time program applicants with solid, sustainable plan; and
    • Programs that can demonstrate an ability to promote the Birkie mission and lifestyle in their communities.

    To date, the American Birkebeiner has awarded over $350,000 to cross country ski programs across the United States.

    Deadline for all applicants is September 1, 2014, with awards made by October 1, 2014.

    For additional information and applications, please visit the Skier Development Grant Program page of the Birkie website.

     

    Thanks to Our Sponsors, including SWIX, Title Sponsor of the American Birkebeiner Skate Race and Birkie Week ski events, Feb. 19-22, 2015, as well as FITS, New Moon Ski & Bike, Gu Energy, Hammer Nutrition, Marshfield Clinic – Hayward Center, Timber Ford of Hayward, and dozens of other businesses, organizations, and professional services.

    SKI . RUN . BIKE . LIVE! The Birkie is a year-round lifestyle choice for thousands of outdoor fitness enthusiasts of all levels. From its signature ski race–the legendary American Birkebeiner–The Birkie has grown into an exciting array of fitness and recreational opportunities. The 107-kilometer Birkie Trail system attracts skiers, runners, bikers, trekkers, and hikers, from casual day-trippers to elite superstars. Located near Hayward and Cable, Wisconsin, the Birkie is now an outdoor sports mecca, a series of great races, a fitness destination, and a lifestyle. Ski . Run . Bike . Live!

  • Young Skier Programs Get Funding Boost from ABSF

    Junior Birkie 2012 (ABSF photo)

    (Birkie.com press release)

    Congratulations to the 10 youth cross country ski programs that will get a boost this winter thanks to funding from the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation’s (ABSF) Skier Development Grant program. The Foundation recently awarded a total of $10,000 to programs targeted to youth skier programs.

    “We received applications from 16 programs and awarded funding to 10 of them, most of which are new or expanding programs to foster more kids getting involved in cross country skiing,” said Ned Zuelsdorff, Executive Director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. “We’re hopeful many will get hooked on cross country skiing as a way to get outside, stay active and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.”

    To date, including 2012, the ABSF has awarded a total of $200,000 to youth ski clubs and organizations throughout the United States. The ABSF Young Skier Grants program supports the creation or expansion of youth skier programs, purchase of “loaner” ski equipment for participants, purchase of ski hats and uniforms to foster team building and participation, and reduction of participant travel costs to ski events and clinics.

    This Year’s 2012 Young Skier Program Grant Recipients Are:

    • Nordic Wolves & Flying Squirrels, Minocqua, WI
    • Drummond Area Nordic Ski Youth League – DANSYL, Drummond, WI
    • Dowling Nordic Ski Club, Minneapolis, MN
    • Drummond Telemarkers Ski Team, Drummond, WI
    • Superior Alliance for Independent Living – SAIL, Marquette, MI
    • Otter Tail Nordic Ski Assoc, Fergus Falls, MN
    • Blue Mound Nordic Ski Club, Mount Horeb, WI
    • 4-H CANSKI, Ashland, WI
    • Chippewa Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America, Eau Claire, WI
    • Madison Nordic Ski Team, Madison, WI

    The American Birkebeiner celebrates its 40th anniversary from February 21-23, 2013. A total of 10,000 skiers will ski the American Birkebeiner 50K Skate and 54K Classic races, the 23-kilometer Kortelopet Skate and Classic races, and the Prince Haakon 12K.The
    Birkie also offers a range of youth events during Birkie Week, including the Barnebirkie (ages 3-13), Junior Birkie (ages 8-18), the 5/10K Family Luminary Fun Ski (all ages), the new Nikkerbeiner Wooden Ski 5K (all ages), as well as the Prince Haakon 12K, and the 23K Kortelopet (both ages 13+).

    ”Whether you are just getting started as a skier or a skiing family or have been coming to the Birkie for years, there are so many ways to enjoy Birkie Week” said Zuelsdorff. “Our 40th Anniversary Celebration will include lots of special events from Thursday through Saturday of Birkie Week 2013, February 21-23. We look forward to a great time for participants and spectators alike!”

    Presenting Sponsors for the 2013 Birkie Include:
    Birkie Classic – Becker Law
    Kortelopet – Marshfield Clinic
    Prince Haakon – Timber Ford
    Barnebirkie – Johnson Bank and Swiss Miss
    Junior Birkie – Century Link
    Out There – Nikkerbeiner Wooden Ski 5K
    Elite Sprints – Helly Hansen and FITS Sock
    Giant Ski – Verizon and Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce
    Barkie Birkie – Dr. Tim’s Pet Food
    5/10K Luminary Fun Ski – Hayward Area Memorial Hospital
    Birkie Adaptive Events – Becker Law

    To learn more about North America’s largest and most prestigious cross country ski race and Young Skier Grants, go to www.Birkie.com, email birkie@birkie.com, or call 715-634-5025.