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May 2009
                                   Volume 7 - Issue 7
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The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is now on Facebook®. Check us out for race information, discussion boards, photos and more.


American Birkebeiner Featured in National Geographic Adventure


Check out the April/May edition of National Geographic Adventure magazine. The American Birkebeiner is featured as the 14th Best American Adventure out of 50.

Thanks to all of you who
"Live the Birkie!"

50 Best American Adventures - National Geographic Adventure Magazine

Mark your calendars for the 37th American Birkebeiner
® from
Feb.  25-27, 2010!


The 2010 events include the 50K Birkie Skate sponsored by Becker Law Office, Subaru 54K Birkie Classic, and 23K Kortelopet Skate and Classic races sponsored by Premier Physical Medicine & Wellness Clinic.

Birkie 2010 also features shorter races, events and festivities for:

  • men, women, teens and kids
  • families
  • the super fit
  • the super enthusiastic
  • those vowing to get in shape
  • those wanting pure and simple recreation
  • those wanting to meet like-minded fitness buffs
  • those wanting challenge, excitement and fun
  • those wanting to support friends, family and skiers from around the world!

From the Barnebirkie to the Birkebeiner...Take the Challenge, Ski the Adventure, Live the Birkie!

Find out more at http://www.birkie.com
or call us at 715.634.5025. We're eager to hear from you!


2009
American Birkebeiner Trail Run, Relay & Trek

Sept. 26, 2009


The 2009 American Birkebeiner Trail Run includes you choice of:

  • 26.2 mile Marathon Relay
  • Individual 13.1 mile Half Marathon
  • 21K Birkie Trail Trek
  • 5K Fun Run/Wlak

Learn more visit www.birkie.com

or register today for the Trail Run, Relay or Trek.



2010
Birkie Trails Ski Tour

Come out, ski and enjoy the Birkie and Birkie Classic Trails and become a Birkie Tour Founder!

The tour is an untimed, non-competitive, "open-track" event open to skiers age 13 and older.

Tour Options

Birkie Tour Distances
43K Birkie Tour
47K Birkie Tour
50K Birkie Tour

Korte Tour Distances
23K Korte Tour
27K Korte Tour

Learn more visit
www.birkie.com



The Birkie®:
37 Years of Inspiring Skiers
to Live Fit, Healthy Lives!


"Tony Wise asked me to design a good trail system at Telemark. I spent 14 days there and laid out trails similar to the Vasalopet trails in Sweden. Later, Marty Hall added more hills. From the point of view of competitive skiers, it is a very good course."

~ Sven Wiik, Nordic guru, Steamboat Springs, Colorado

"The Birkie has been a factor in my life since the first time I skied the trail in 1976. My philosophy is to do whatever we can do to foster participation in the overall event. I want more people on the snow and enjoying the weekend."

~ Ned Zuelsdorff, Executive Director, Cable, WI

Praise for 2009 Events!


I had a great time skiing my first classic birkie in many years. I want to congratulate Ned and everyone else who have worked so hard to bring the Birkie and the classic trail to near perfection.~Mick



The classic trail was a blast!!



I had so much fun!



Nice work with the buses this year.  The addition of the skier drop-off area was an excellent change.  This was the easiest year (out of 12 completed) that I have ever had to get dropped off and bused to the start.  Thanks for this change, I hope you can keep this change in place for future years.~Eric



The Volunteers are the best. Many thanks to them.



Beautifully groomed trails
Many eager, enthusiastic volunteers
Fewer grumpy contestants
More space and less congestion on the skate trails
Outstanding finishes. Is the winner of the classic going to have some bragging rights to his kids and grandchildren?!
 


To me the day is close to a religious experience, you are excited but respectful, almost reverent to the course and the challenges of the day. The people you are skiing with are all comrades on a mission to soak up the day and dig within to see what we all have down deep.

 

I pray I will be able and worthy to ski again next year.~Hugh



Thanks for a wonderful event! It's truly a pleasure being a participant.~Roger



The extension of the classic trail is great!


I had a great time, I'm an avid runner cyclist and I was very impressed by the amount of support that was available to the athletes at the Birkie. Thank you!



Superb Event! I traveled from Colorado to ski the event and from my perspective, I saw a "well-oiled" and well-supported event. I was moved emotionally by the community participation and the atmosphere of the day.



I have Birkie Fever already and its only March!



Excellent Birkie. Your volunteers make it smooth to those of us who come in for the event. They are much appreciated and help to promote the enthusiasm of the weekend.



Thanks for another great race!



The new classic trail is great. Wish it was even longer.


Great Race and great job by all!!!



A big thank you and congratulations for another extraordinary Birkebeiner. Everything was perfect as usual. Great volunteers at the food stands, miracle grooming by those miracle groomers, and a fantastic race. The number of hours everyone puts in to make this race so special is appreciated beyond words by us skiers. Thank you, thank you and thank you!~Barb



Everything was awesome and I've got "Birkie Fever."



Much love from Alabama! One closer to the purple bib.


I also thank everyone in the Birkie organization for another very well run event. It was a pleasure to visit Hayward once again. I look forward to
my 31st Birkie in 2010!



Gets better each year.
Keep it up.



This year was my first Birkie at age 68. The whole experience surpassed my expectations, including the trail itself, which was a lot better than I had imagined. The hills one after the other made for a great ski with no dangerous hairpin bends at hill bottoms to take skiers out in pileups like some ski marathons have. I had no close calls. Thanks!



I look forward to the Birkie each year, your volunteers are the best, and the race is very organized and exciting. Thanks so much!


You do a great job with the race. It has become a family tradition.



Great job...compliments to the populace of all the Hayward/Cable area.
Thanks for everything Birkie!



Great event. All the work everyone does is appreciated so much. It makes for a memorable event. I can't wait to return every year.



2009 was my first Birkie experience and I am hooked!! Fantastic job!


Thank you for continuing to put on an excellent event, and it seems to improve even more each year.



Marvelous Birkie 2009, congratulations to everyone who contributed!
Thank you!



Love the challenge of the Birkie. I will continue to participate as long as I can.



This was my first Birkie and I loved it!!!!



It was our first Birkie and your hospitality for the event was phenomenal.



Great job with the entire event.
World class!



Keep up the great work and the trail system! The race is awesome!



Amazing race, cannot wait for next year!



The Birkie is so much more than a ski race, as we all know. It is the pinnacle of Nordic lifestyle in the U.S. Keep up the wonderful work!




  Greetings from the Birkie®!

NedZuelsdorff Hi Skiers and Friends!

It's May and Birkie trail work is being planned. The trails have dried out and we're considering have several proposed trail projects which are discussed below. I hope you have the chance to come to the area this summer and enjoy this great resource.

We're getting ready for the September Birkie Trail Run, Relay and Trek. It is a fun event which drew nearly 500 participants last year. People are already registering for the solo half marathon, marathon team relay and the popular, non-competitive Birkie Trek. The Trek is a half marathon length Nordic Walk that we're very excited about as Nordic walking gains in popularity throughout the Midwest.

Nordic walking with poles is great exercise and easier on your joints than running. Several ski and running shops in the Twin Cities, Madison, Milwaukee, and Wausau areas are helping us promote the event and Nordic walking by holding clinics and weekly group walks.

The Birkie Nordic Walking Clinic hosted by Ski & Tea will be held Saturday, June 20. This is your chance to learn more about Nordic walking and the benefits it can provide you. More event information is available here as well as information on clinics in your area.

And let's not forget the Birkie and Kortelopet. Online registration is now available, click here to benefit from the early bird discount.

See you on the Trails and stay fit!

Ned Zuelsdorff
Executive Director
ned@birkie.com


  Birkie News®
NEW EVENT - Birkie Trails Ski Tour

Many of you have requested it and the Birkie Board recently added a new event to the winter ski calendar.

The Birkie Trails Ski Tour is an "open-track", untimed, non-competitive, fun, point-to-point ski tour on the Birkie Trails system. You should consider adding the Tour to your event calendar whether you're looking for a long training ski before the Birkie, a chance to try the trail if you're unsure about being ready for the Birkie, or if you'd like to ski the trail with some support and just aren't interested in signing up for a ski race.

The tour has both long and short options and qualifies as a Worldloppet event. It can also be used to move up to Wave seven for first time Birkie and Kortelopet skiers. Plan to be part of what will likely be a very fun day. More information is available here.

Birkie Nordic Walking Clinic Hosted by Ski & Tea

When: 
Saturday, June 20, 2009

Where:  Birkie Trail at the OO Trailhead Shelter, Seeley, WI

Time:  10 AM - Noon

Cost:  $5
 
The Clinic is being hosted by the Ski and Tea active woman's group from the Cable-Hayward area. The clinic will be presented by the Twin Cities "Queen of Nordic Walking", Linda Lemke, coordinator of Hoigaards Outdoor Woman's Program.
 
Registration for the clinic will be held at the "OO" cabin, three miles east of Highway 63 at Seeley on County Highway "OO". There is a $5 fee for the clinic to help cover the cost of post-clinic refreshments at Mooselips Café in Seeley.
 
Loaner poles are available for $5. Participants will receive a $5 discount coupon for the Birkie Trail Run, Relay and Trek. Please wear comfortable clothing and good walking shoes.
 
Call the Birkie office for more information at 715-634-5025, or email
birkie@birkie.com, and please let us know if you plan to attend.


2009 Birkie Trail Run, Relay & Trek

Join us on Saturday, September 26, 2009 for a challenging trail run, relay or trek through the wooded hills on the world famous Birkie Ski Trail.

Four events to choose from:
  • 3 or 6 person Marathon Relay (26.2 miles)
  • Individual Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
  • 5K Fun Run & Walk
  • Birkie Trek (13.1 miles)
American Birkebeiner t-shirts for all! Class awards and post race refreshments also provided.

For more information or to register for one of the events click here or contact the Birkie Office at 715/634-5025 or birkie@birkie.com.

Upcoming Birkie Trail Work

In addition to normal mowing and trail maintenance, several Birkie Trails projects are being planned for this summer and fall. These include:
  • Fixing the downhill corner at 25K on the Classic trail to make it a little more skier friendly
  • Enlarging the parking lot at OO to accommodate the growing number of skiers using the area each winter weekend
  • Remodeling of the OO warming building to make better use of the space and provide open storage bins for boots, lunches and gear
  • Replacing the bridge at Duffy's field just before you reach Lake Hayward
Some of the projects are contingent on funding and the Birkie budget process that we are now going through. You may be aware that a lot of our trail expenses are covered by the ski trail fees and donations, which we greatly appreciate.

The Birkie Trail Friends program also helps us significantly. You, your family or a group of your friends can get together and sponsor a kilometer on the trail system. Birkie Trail Friends have already sponsored 39 kilometers, but several Ks still need sponsors. More information about becoming a Birkie Trail Friend is available here. Birkie is a 501(c)(3) organization and donations are tax deductible, so please consider helping.
American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation
Membership, Annual Meeting and Board of Director Elections

Membership in the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation offers you the opportunity to support the largest cross-country ski marathon in North America as well as a variety of ski activities and programs for adults and children throughout the year. Your membership is also an investment in one of the most scenic and beautiful recreational forest trails in the country.

Annual membership is a very affordable way to support the Foundation:
  • Single Membership $25
  • Family Membership $40
  • Business Membership $50
In addition to supporting the race and trail your membership benefits also include:
  • The opportunity to vote for the Board of Directors of the American Birkebeiner® Ski Foundation who represent you on topics including race operations, skier development, Birkie Trail development and Foundation programs.
  • A limited edition American Birkebeiner® year pin.
  • A membership window decal for new members only.
  • Invitation to the Annual Meeting of the American Birkebeiner® Ski Foundation which is held in early August every year.
  • Invitation to Trail Work Days and special events.
  • The Foundation's 501(c)(3)-tax status assures that your contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable.
Foundation Annual Meeting - Saturday, August 8, 2009

Schedule
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. - On-site Voting
6:00 - 6:45 p.m. - Meal
6:45 - 8:00 p.m. - Meeting

The location of the Annual Meeting is still be determined.

Learn more about becoming a member, click here.
Interested in running for the Board of Directors, click here.
 
Kortelopet 10 & 20 Year Award Winners...Corrected List

We would like to apologize for the errors to the Kortelopet Award Winner lists that were published in the 2009 Results issue of the Birch Scroll.

Korte 10 Year                              
Baker, Robin C
Bauer, Matt D
Belz, Lori
Bott, Karen L
Bremel, Thomas J
Callahan, Paul L
Gangi, Marlo A
Gardner, Tim M
Hedenstrom, Dick H
Hughes, John J
Jensen, Daniel T
Kania, Deborah E
Konieczki, William R
Krzyzanowski, Steve M
Margolis, Ed
Milburn, Scott B
Miller, Gregory K
Miller, Jill S
Moore, Jim R
Muench, Louis
Pantazon, John L
Peloquin, Gregory J
Pluth, Daniel G
Radermacher, Thomas J
Ragnes, Stan
Roberts, Chris M
Scobie, Peter B
Sheehan, Dennis W
Stewart, Mark I
Stone, Michelle M
Theyerl, Denise K
Urbanski, Tom G
Virant, Mary E
White, A James
Works, Heidi S

Korte 20 Year
Forde, Joan  M
Nelson, Jerry  L

Did you miss these pins?

Bitch Hill PinThe pin donor has made a limited number available for sale at $12 each, with proceeds going to the Birkie Trail Fund.

Price includes shipping and handling. Please call 715-634-5025 to order your pin today.

Actual pin size 1"x5/8".


2009 Birkie Video Available

Support CXC and the American Birkebeiner by purchasing this great video of the 2009 American Birkebeiner. Click here to buy now www.birkievideo.com

Two disc DVD set for $24.95 (includes shipping and handling.)

DVD 1 puts you in the lead pack of the 36th American Birkebeiner  as the men travel the hills of the Birkie Trail competing to achieve victory on Hayward's Main Street. DVD 2 shows highlights from the Barnebirkie and Elite Sprints and follows all Birkie and Korte wave starts with continuous footage of skiers on the Powerline.

 
New Item in Lost & Found

This week a children's ski was found behind Marketplace Foods, the start area of 2009 Barnebirkie. Is there a chance this ski belongs to your family? Or are you still missing an item? Please contact cindy@birkie.com by June 1, 2009 to claim lost items.

Age class awards
must also be picked up or claimed by June 1, 2009. If you would like your award shipped there is an $8 fee to cover shipping and handling. To request your award please contact cindy@birkie.com.
  Birkie® Fever

Rowing Coach Spreads Birkie Fever

By John Hallett

John Hallett Birkie Fever My first Birkie was in 1984 when we used cross country skiing as cross training for the UW Rowing team. Rowing coach Randy Jablonic, "Jabo", provided rowers with old wooden skis for workouts. It was quite a sight to see 50 collegiate rowers skiing across Lake Mendota and through picnic point in Madison. I think Jabo was just using us as human trail groomers to set tracks so he could train for the Birkie every day. Jabo introduced hundreds of rowers to cross country skiing over the years and many rowing alumni still meet at the Birkie every year.
 
About 20 rowers traveled to the Birkie in 1984. When we arrived at Duffy's field for the start,
.......continue reading click here.

Birkie Fever Stories Needed

We know you have a story to tell. Whether you are a skier, spectator or volunteer we want to hear from you. Birkie Fever is a phenomonen that touches many people in many different ways. Share your Birkie Fever with others. Send 300 word essays or short quotes and photos to media@birkie.com. Afraid you can't write? Don't let that stop you. We can take your words and weave them into a great Birkie Fever story.
 Training Tips

Spine Stabilization:  Mega Power! Mega Strength! Mega Endurance!

By Jay Tapper


Spine stabilization is another way of describing core stabilization. My mentor Varick Olson (PhD PT) turned me on to the term. He states that is a more descriptive way to describe exercises that teach back stability and improved movement efficiency of the arms and legs.

Often people limit their stabilization exercises only to the low back (lumbar) and abdomen. Spine stabilization exercises should incorporate all three segments of the spine: cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back), and lumbar (low-back).  "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts."

Here are three spine stabilization exercises...continue reading, click here.
 
Jay Tapper

Jay Tapper
is owner of ActivEdge LLC.  ActivEdge specializes in safety, fitness, and ergonomic programs for business and industry. ActivEdge also provides personal training services. Jay is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist.  For further information contact Jay at 218-393-8767 or www.Activedgewi.com.

 What's Next?
Mark Your Calendars for the 37th American Birkebeiner®: Feb. 25-27, 2010

From the Barnebirkie to the Birkebeiner, this citizen's ski race features something for everyone. Watch for 37th anniversary details in upcoming issues of Carpe Skiem and online at www.birkie.com.

About the Birkie®

From February 25-27, 2010, more than 7,000 fit, colorfully-clad skiers from all walks of life and from around the world will descend upon the Wisconsin northwoods to participate in the 37th anniversary American Birkebeiner, a cross-country ski race that weaves more than 50 kilometers (30 miles) along a hilly, heavily wooded trail from the Telemark Resort near Cable to the finish line on Main Street in downtown Hayward.

For some, it's serious business. The Birkebeiner is part of the Worldloppet, a circuit of 15 Nordic ski races held on four continents. The race attracts a top cadre of professional racers from 19 countries, including past and present Olympians and those competing in the International Ski Federation standings.

For many hundreds of others, though, it's an annual celebration of personal endurance and outdoor enthusiasm. Since its inception in 1973, 'The Birkie' has grown into the largest cross country ski marathon in the nation. While pros may complete the course in about two hours, legions of weekend warriors soldier on in triple that time. Citizen skiers can compete in the full race or sign up for 23 kilometer Kortelopet or one of our many other events.

You don't even have to click into skis to join in on the party. An estimated 15,000 to 20,000 spectators line many portions of the route, and it seems all of Hayward is there cheering at the finish line. Equipment demos, citizen sprints, family fun races/tours and other events round out the weekend.

Live the Birkie®

Upcoming Events

Birkie Nordic Walking Clinic Hosted by Ski & Tea
Saturday, June 20, 2009
10 a.m. - Noon
Birkie "OO" Trail Head

2009 American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation Annual Meeting
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Location TBD
On-site Voting: 5:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Meal: 6:00 - 6:45 p.m.
Meeting: 6:45 - 8:00 p.m.

2009 American Birkebeiner Trail Run, Relay and Trek

Saturday, September 26, 2009

2010 Birkie Trails Ski Tour
Saturday, January 23, 2010

2010 American Birkebeiner Events

Thursday, February 25 - Saturday, February 27, 2010

For more information visit www.birkie.com