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SALOMON NORDIC
AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER REPORT 2012 

AMERICAN BIRKEBEINER CULMINATES WITH 

SALOMON SOFTGROUND FEVER 

 

Tad Elliott and Holly Brooks returned from the European World Cup to successfully avenge previous 2nd place finishes and discovered the speedy ride of the Salomon SoftGround skis in the process.

 

Tad Elliott Thrill of Victory 

 

Salomon Complete Athletes put in impressive performances at the 39th American Birkebeiner taking 5 of the 6 podium positions.  While snow has been scarce this winter in the U.S., the Birkie trail has had snowpack all year. This snow was rock solid old hard pack seven days before the race.  But throughout race week 1-3 inches of warm wet 27 degree snow fell most days. The groomers bided their time and when they rolled out onto the course Friday night more than 6 inches of new snow had accumulated and temps had dropped into the teens. By Saturday morning a firm, yet flexible, corduroy track emerged. Race morning testing revealed that the SoftGrounds liked this surface as they seemed to "skim over the soft corduroy unimpeded."     

 

 

 

  

 

Birkie Podium 5/6 Salomon 


 

  

The athletes say it best:

 

 

Tad Elliott  - 1st Place - U.S. Ski Team

"I skied on a pair of SoftGrounds that Zack Caldwell (my tech) handed me for the first time at the start line Birkie morning. I said really? He said yes, really. I said OK. Early in the race I was smashing them and they felt like nothing special. Then instead of smashing them, I relaxed, settled back and let them ride, and they just took off."

Tad Elliott Thrill 

 


 


 

Brian Gregg - 3rd Place - Team CXC

"Yes, I skied on my SoftGrounds. Smooth!"

 

Kiss 

Catlin Compton Gregg 2nd - Team CXC, 

"I raced on a SoftGround pair that I absolutely love.   They are an amazing pair of skis that have a lot of energy under the foot but a great pressure distribution that gives them incredible glide. They are the easiest pair of skis to V2 on I have ever skied on. I knew they would be my "Birkie" ski from the moment I first skied on them. I would recommend the soft ground skis to anyone who wants the "perfect Birkie" ski!

 

 Brooks vs Gregg Sprint

 

Holly Brooks - 1st Place - Team APU

"So. I am wondering if there is any way for me to get my hands on some of these SoftGrounds? At the awards podium I noticed that everyone went on SoftGrounds. I did not get a pair this year and my other skis are so good I did not know what I was missing. When I inquired about the skis to the other athletes they were shocked that I don't have any - in that they've had TONS of success racing on the softs this winter, and in particular, on Saturday.   

 


 Jenny Bender Thrill

 

 

Jennie Bender - 3rd Place - Team CXC

 "I raced on Cold's.  But McCabe 4th and Dussault 6th   I think were on SG's."

  

Read More About the SoftGround here

More on Salomon's race service assisted by Zack Caldwell

Men's Elite Finish video 

Women's Elite Finish video 

Great Artilce on the Race

 

Most images provided by Swix Sport

 

 Ski Testing

 

 

 

For more details contact your U.S. Salomon Nordic sales representative 
or 
BILL STERLING U.S. Nordic Sales Manager
ISAAC WILSON U.S. Nordic Catagory manager