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.
Slumberland American Birkebeiner and Kortelopet race registration will close Tuesday, November 3, at 11:59 p.m. CST!
We don’t want you to miss out on the 2016 Birkie experience!
Based on registrations received as of this morning,
the participant cap will be reached by Tuesday night!
Please share this with family and friends who have yet to register!
Prince Haakon registration will remain open!
Slumberland American Birkebeiner – Skate & Classic! February 20, 2016
HAYWARD, Wisconsin (October 8, 2014) – It must be that crisp snap in the air and the first snowfall of the season that hit Hayward, WI, home of the Swix American Birkebeiner cross country ski race, this week. As a result, registration for the 42nd annual event on February 21, 2015, is filling up fast. With a total event cap of 10,500 entries, there are now just over 500 spots left. Last year the event also reached its cap in early October—the earliest close on record. The American Birkiebeiner is the largest ski race in North America and the fourth largest in the world.
Skiers who register for the Swix American Birkebeiner Skate (50K) or Classic (54K) events or for the Kortelopet (23K) event are placed in waves according to their ability, based on past race results and qualifying races. As registration accelerates, these waves are also reaching capacity. Anyone who registers in time to get one of the remaining 500+ entries will secure their spot at the starting line; waves will be assigned based on where each skier belongs. When a wave closes, skiers are placed in the next available wave. The following waves are currently closed:
Registration is now at 9,000 total skiers for the 2013 Birkie, Kortelopet, and Prince Haakon races combined, to be held February 23, 2013.
Our total, combined cap for these three races is 10,000 skiers, so if you plan on being part of our 40th annual celebration, now is the time to register! Last year registration closed on November 21, and we expect an even earlier closing this year.
Wave Closings & Updates
Skate:
Wave 2 is closed
Wave 3 is closed
Wave 4 is closed**
Wave 9 is 95% full
Classic:
Waves 1, 2, 3, and 4 are 95% full
(** Latest update since Monday, Oct. 1)
Please contact the Birkie at birkie@birkie.com or 715-634-5025 with any questions.
![The view from the front of the pack at the 2014 American Birkebeiner (Photo: Kelly Randolph)](http://fasterskier.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2014/10/PHOTO-Birkie-leaders2014.png")
![Photo: ABSF/Mark Milford](http://fasterskier.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2014/08/Photo-WavesClosings-8-6-14.jpg")