FasterSkier

Tag: Loppet

  • Birkie Announces 2016 Poster and T-Shirt Design Contest Winners

     

    Official 2016 Event Poster and T-shirts Available Now

    HAYWARD, Wis. — Earlier this year, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF), hosted design contests for the official Birkie 2016 event poster and t-shirt. The ABSF is pleased to announce the contest winners and to share their creative designs which will become the face of the 2016 Slumberland American Birkebeiner, North America’s largest cross-country ski race.

    Winner of the first official Birkie poster design contest is Christopher Schmidt of Minneapolis, MN. Schmidt’s design was selected by a panel of ABSF judges. As part of Schmidt’s prize package, he will receive two complimentary race registrations for any Birkie skiing event; VIP parking at the Birkie race start; and use of his design on numerous official 2016 Birkie materials. Official 2016 Birkie posters are available at the Birkie Store in Hayward, or online at www.BirkieStore.com.

    The official Birkie poster image serves as an icon for each specific year’s race and festivities and its announcement is awaited by participants worldwide. The poster design graces the cover of the ABSF’s pre-race Birch Scroll magazine, the annual ABSF participant race-guide, as well as on official ski stickers given to every participant of the American Birkebeiner race. Not only is the design printed into a full-size poster, it is also printed into a much smaller version for use by area businesses and Chamber of Commerce members throughout Hayward & Cable, WI.

    The ABSF is pleased to announce the official 2016 Slumberland American Birkebeiner t-shirt design contest winner is Brooke Wentland from Madison, WI. Wentland’s design was selected through on-line voting at www.Birkie.com. She originally caught Birkie Fever during the Kortelopet in 2011 and plans to compete in her first Birkie in 2016. The official 2016 Birkie t-shirt is available for purchase online at www.Birkie.com/store and will soon be in the Birkie Store in Hayward, WI.

    The Birkie Store, located at 10527 Main Street in Hayward, WI, is open just in time for holiday shopping. Birkie Store hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm and 11:00am to 4:00pm on Saturday. Shoppers will find a variety of branded Birkie merchandise, including wearables, posters, books, and gift items in the store and will be able to see the future space of the Tony Wise Museum of the American Birkebeiner slated to open in 2016.

    The 2016 Slumberland American Birkebeiner Ski Marathon is North America’s largest cross-country ski marathon and the third largest in the world. Spanning 51 kilometers from Cable to Hayward for skate skiers, and 55K for classic skiers, on the 107K Birkie Trail, the race attracts over 10,000 skiers each year. The Birkie is part of the Worldloppet circuit of 20 international ski marathons. Over 250,000 skiers have finished Birkie ski events (Birkie, Kortelopet, Prince Haakon) since the races began. An estimated 45,000 spectators and skiers are expected to gather in and around the Hayward area for the annual Nordic sports festivities from February 18 through Sunday, February 21, 2016.

    About the American Birkebeiner® Ski Foundation and Birkie® Events

    Located near Hayward and Cable, Wisconsin, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, is known for its signature American Birkebeiner Ski Marathon held each February. Today, the Birkie brand has grown to encompass a year round lifestyle that provides healthy, active events for thousands of outdoor fitness enthusiasts of all levels. From the iconic Birkie ski race to the Birkie Trail Run & Trek, and Fat Bike Birkie race, the ABSF and the Birkie Trail attract skiers, runners, bikers, trekkers, and hikers, from casual day-trippers to elite superstars. Birkie. Ski. Run. Bike. Live! Visit www.Birkie.com to learn more.

  • Birkie Seeks Birkebeiner Warriors, Inga & Prince Haakon

    Birkie Contest

    Re-enact historic ski of the original “Birkebeiners” at this year’s Birkie!

    (Press Release)

    HAYWARD, Wis. – Each February more than 10,000 cross-country skiers gather in Cable and Hayward, Wisconsin to take part in North America’s largest and greatest ski race, the American Birkebeiner. In homage to the races roots, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF) seeks a trio of cross country skiers to represent two Birkebeiner warriors and Inga, mother of Prince Haakon, in the 43rd American Birkebeiner Ski Marathon slated for February 20, 2016.

    In 1206, Norway was in the midst of a civil war when Birkebeiner skiers, so called for their protective birch bark leggings, skied through the treacherous mountains and rugged forests of Norway, smuggling Prince Haakon, the son of King Sverresson and Inga of Vartieg, to safety. Norwegian history credits the Birkebeiners’ bravery with preserving the life of the boy who later became Norway’s King Haakon Haakonsson IV and forever changed northern European history by his reign. This historic rescue inspired the creation of three ski marathons: The Birkebeinerrennet in Lillehammer, Norway; the American Birkebeiner “Birkie” from Cable to Hayward, Wisconsin; and the Canadian Birkebeiner, in Alberta, Canada.

    Each year, the American Birkebeiner selects a trio to portray Inga and Birkebeiner warriors, Torstein and Skervald. The trio reenacts the historic flight on wooden skis and in full costume along the entire 55K classic cross-country race course. It is a true celebration of the roots, legacy and traditions of the race.

    “The re-enactment has become a great tradition that our skiers, volunteers, and spectators look forward to every year,” said Ben Popp, ABSF Executive Director. “It is an honor to be selected to portray Inga and the warriors and it’s a great way to experience the ultimate in Birkie Fever!”

    Skiers interested in this amazing experience are encouraged to register with the Birkie no later than November 30, 2015. Winners will be selected by former Inga and warrior participants. Details and registration information is available at http://www.birkie.com/live/warriors-and-inga-contest.

    Considered an iconic world-class sporting event, for over 40-years the Birkie has helped shape the lives of tens of thousands of participants from elite athletes to recreational citizen skiers. To date, over 250,000 skiers have finished Birkie ski events. Nearly 45,000 spectators and skiers gather each February in the Cable and Hayward, Wisconsin areas for the Nordic sports festivities and in celebration of the courage, perseverance, character and determination of the Birkebeiner warriors, the “Birkies.”

    Slumberland American Birkebeiner Inga & Birkebeiner Warriors Contest Details

    • This historic re-enactment requires skiing the Birkie Classic 55K on wooden skis, and wearing the historic costumes provided by the ABSF.
    • Each skier must supply his or her own wooden skis.
    • Inga will ski either the 55-kilometer Classic Birkie or 24-kilometer Kortelopet then be reunited with the Warriors just before skiing the final two blocks up Main Street to the finish.
    • The Warriors & Inga group will serve as “ambassadors on the trail,” encouraging both skiers and volunteers along the course route.
    • The warriors will carry a baby doll along the course until Main Street where they will pick up a real infant “Prince” before skiing the last two blocks with Inga to the finish line.
    • Entrants need not provide a young child to portray the baby Prince Haakon
    • The group will also make appearances at other events during Birkie race week, February 17-21.
    • All three skiers – two warriors and Inga – must sign up as a group rather than individual skiers.
    • Entries must first demonstrate their skiing ability, then their passion, sense of tradition, and why skiing in these roles would be of importance to the entrant.
    • Each contest winner will receive a free 2015 Slumberland American Birkebeiner or Kortelopet race entry.
    • The contest application deadline for the 2016 Warriors & Inga contest will close at 11:59 p.m., November 30, 2015.
    • Details and registration available at: http://www.birkie.com/live/warriors-and-inga-contest
    • Questions? Email birkie@birkie.com or call 715-634-5025.
  • 2015 Birkie T-Shirt Design Contest Open for Entries

    2015 Birkie T-Shirt Design Contest Open for Entries

    T-Shirt Birkie

    Win Fischer Skis, Swix Poles, Bindings from New Moon,
    Free Birkie Entry, and Parking at Race Start!

     

    The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation’s annual Birkie T-Shirt Design Contest is now open for entries! The winning design will be featured as the official T-shirt of the 2015 Swix American Birkebeiner to be held February 19-22nd, 2015–the 42nd annual event.

    Anyone Can Enter the Contest – No Design Experience Necessary

    Deadline for Entries is July 15th, 2014

    YOU Vote for the Winner

    After all the designs had been submitted, the top three to five designs are determined by the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation and posted for voting on www.birkie.com. More than 7,000 people cast their votes last year to determine the ultimate winner. This year the voting will take place for one week, July 28 to August 1, 2014–Monday through Friday. Look for announcements on the Birkie Facebook page.

    Proceeds from sales of the official 2015 T-shirt
    will benefit youth ski programs nationwide    .

    • T-Shirt Design Guidelines and Rules

    Please visit the 2015 Birkie T-Shirt Design Contest Page for complete details. The deadline for submission of T-shirt artwork is Tuesday, July 15th. Please send artwork or any questions to birkie@birkie.com (or call 715-634-5025).  A complete list of contest rules and information is available online at the Birkie’s Birkie T-Shirt Design Contest page.

    • Prizes for Winner

    The winning T-shirt design will be part of the largest and most prestigious cross country ski event in North America. As well as being recognized for his or her winning T-shirt design, the designer will receive a new pair of Fischer RCS skate or classic skis and Swix Triac Ski Poles. Bindings and mounting will be provided by New Moon Ski & Bike Shop of Hayward, WI. The winner also receives a complimentary race registration to the 2015 or 2016 Swix American Birkebeiner races and a VIP Parking Pass to the Race Start area.


    Thanks to All our Sponsors,     including SWIX, Title Sponsor of the American Birkebeiner and Birkie 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!