Carpe Skiem Header
February 9, 2010
                                         Volume 8 - Issue 3

Birkie Quick Links
Prince Haakon Online Reg
Skier Confirmation
Birkie Week Schedule
News
Events
Trail
Results
Birkie Merchandise
About Us


Online Registration for Barnie, Jr. Birkie, 5K/10K, Citizen Sprints!
Visit Events, select your event and choose the online registration option.


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Birkie on Facebook®

The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is now on Facebook®. Check us out for race information, discussion boards, photos and more.
Birkie Now on LinkedIn
Check out the Birkie Skiers group on LinkedIn, click here

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.

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...Ski.Run.Live!

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


2010
American Birkebeiner Trail Run, Relay & Trek

Sept. 25, 2010


The 2010 American Birkebeiner Trail Run includes you choice of:

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

Learn more visit www.birkie.com

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


2011
BirkieTour
January 22, 2011

Come out, ski and enjoy the Birkie and Birkie Classic Trails and participate in the Birkie Tour Founder!

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

Tour Options

Birkie & Korte Tour Distances
Registration will be available this Spring!

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!!!
  Greetings from the Birkie!

NedZuelsdorff
Hi Skiers and Friends!

Just over two weeks to the 2010 Birkie and we will be ready. We hope your preparations have gone well and that you've had a great ski season. Those of you skiing will be standing on the start line with an all-time record 8,000 Birkie and Korte skiers.

If you are still interested in participating on February 27th you can register for the 12K Prince Haakon. There are currently 210 skiers registered for this event with a cap of 250 skiers.
 
We continue to work on changes discussed below to accommodate this large number of skiers. I really encourage you to use the bus service from Hayward if at all possible to reduce the stress of getting to the start line on race morning
 
I had the chance to ski on the Birkie Trails both days this weekend and enjoyed the fantastic conditions that others have been reporting. Lake Hayward is in good shape and we are expecting full race distances with a Birkie finish on Main Street in Hayward. We have our fingers crossed and hope that Mother Nature continues to cooperate.
 
The greatest cross-country ski event in North American is waiting for you. Get here early and enjoy it. See you soon.

Stay Fit!


Ned Zuelsdorff
Executive Director
ned@birkie.com

  Birkie News®
Registration Change Deadline - Monday, February 15th
Submit Wave, Technique and Race Changes by 8 p.m.

All skiers who are registered for the Birkie and Kortelopet may make changes in their race applications (i.e. switching technique, switching between the Birkie/Korte, submitting qualifying race information) until Monday, February 15th at 8:00 p.m. Please call 715-634-5025.

Please be aware that Birkie/Korte Skate Waves 1, 2, 3, 4 and Birkie/Korte Classic Wave 7 are closed to changes. Skiers will be placed in the first available wave based on their qualifying information.

Click Qualifying Races for a list of races.
Click Waves & Seeding for more information.

______________________________________________________________________________
American Birkebeiner Announces Partnership with Marshfield Clinic

Marshfield Clinic LogoOne of the most recognizable sporting events in North America will partner with Marshfield Clinic this year to make sure participants and spectators receive medical attention if need arises.
 
The American Birkebeiner will take place in Cable and Hayward, Wisconsin, on February 25-27th, and nearly two dozen Marshfield Clinic physicians, nurses, licensed athletic trainers, and other medical staff will be there throughout Saturday to serve as an on-site clinic of sorts. Over 10,000 skiers and 15,000 spectators will descend upon these communities located in Northwestern Wisconsin.
 
"We are pleased to welcome Marshfield Clinic as our newest sponsor to the American Birkebeiner events," said Ned Zuelsdorff, Executive Director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. "They will serve as presenting sponsor of the Kortelopet as well as....continue reading.

________________________________________________________________

2010 Birkie/Korte Attracts Largest Field of Skiers Ever 

The 2010 American Birkebeiner and Kortelopet will have the largest field of skiers ever with over 8000 skiers in the 37th anniversary Birkebeiner and Kortelopet.

We are busy with last minute preparations. In order to provide the best event for all skiers from the first to tenth wave we have added services and are increasing the quantities supplied for all services along the race  course and at the finish areas. Some additions are changes are highlighted here:

Busing
  • We have added a parking/busing lot at the Hayward High School. Buses will run from this lot on Greenwood Lane from 5:30-6:00 a.m. race morning and take skiers to Telemark Resort. Return buses will be provided to this location
  • Donnellan Field, in Hayward which was added last year will once again be on the bus schedule and skiers may catch a bus at this location from 6:00-6:30 a.m. Donnellan Lot is only a four block walk from the finish line. No return buses will be provided.
  • All other buses will run as they have in the past. A complete Busing Schedule is available here.
  • The best advice we can provide is to board buses to the start early. You will be dropped at Telemark Resort and can spend time in the Resort before walking to the start and our large heated tent.

Birkie Baggage
We have added an additional area to accommodate the large number of gear bags that will be at the Birkie Finish area.

New Start Line Sensor
  • A timing "chip" or transponder sensor wire has been installed about 300 meters out from the start line. Your official race time ("chip time") will start when you cross that buried wire, rather than when your wave starts ("gun time"). The location of the wire will be marked with large vertical banners. If you miss your wave start you can start with the next wave of your technique with no time penalty as your official time will begin when you cross the wire. 
  • Overall Winners of the Birkie Skate and Classic races will be timed based on "gun time". More information on race timing and start information can be found

_____________________________________________________________________________

Skier Raffle, Awards & Awards Ceremony

Skier Raffle
All skiers of the Birkie, Kortelopet and Prince Haakon are eligible for great raffle prizes. We will randomly select winners from the 2010 Skier List and raffle winners will find a large bright yellow sticker attached to their skier envelope at Bib Pick-Up. Raffle awards must be picked up race weekend. Pick-up is in the Laukka Theater at Telemark:
  • Thursday, February 25th from Noon-9 p.m.
  • Friday, February 26th from 9:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, Feburary 27th from 6:30-9:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, February 28th from 8:00 a.m.-Noon (Vet's Center, Hayward)
Age Class Awards
Skiers may pick-up age class awards:
  • Saturday, Feburary 27th from 6:30-9:00 p.m.(Laukka Theater, Telemark)
  • Sunday, February 28th from 8:00 a.m.-Noon (Vet's Center, Hayward)
Birkie Slide Show/Awards Ceremony
Telemark Resort-Saturday, February 27th
  • 6:30 p.m. Birkie Slide Show
  • 7:00 p.m. Birkie/Korte Awards Ceremony/Party
  • 8:00 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Birkie Bash
_________________________________________________________________________
 
2010 Birkie/Kortelopet Race Results

The 2010 Race Results will be available in the following locations:

Race Receipts
Skiers may pick-up a Race Receipt listing their finish time from the Finish Line Tents at the Birkie and Kortelopet Finish. Race Receipts for Birkie, Korte and Prince Haakon can be obtained from either location.

Posted Results
Results will be posted as soon as available at Race Headquarters and in the Celebration Tent in Hayward, the Kortelopet Finish Line, and at Telemark in the Laukka Theater.

Printed Results
Courtesy of the Sawyer County Record skiers will be able to pick up a printed copy of the 2010 Race Results on Sunday, February 28th by 6:00 a.m. in Cable at the Cable Chamber of Commerce, in Seeley at the Sawmill Saloon, in Hayward at the Birkie Office, Marketplace Foods and the Sawyer County Record.

Online Results:

All Birkie, Korte and Prince Haakon skiers are encouraged to check their results within 24 hours. Any timing problems or questionable results should be reported immediately. A form will be available at www.birkie.com or you can visit our office, call 715-634-5025 or email birkie@birkie.com.
_____________________________________________________________________________
2009 Birkie Trail Run HalfSkiers for Cures Pins Now Available!

The 2010 Skiers for Cures pins shown here are now availalbe. The cost of the pin is $20 with proceeds going to the National MS Society. This great pin designed by Birkie Skier, Kay Lum can be purchased online wisms.org, in person at the Birkie Office or at the National MS Society Booth at the Birkie Skier Expo.

In addition to purchasing a fun pin to support a great cause you will also be entered into a raffle drawing with wonderful prizes including free entries for the 2011 Birkie or Kortelopet. More prizes will be announced soon!

Raise Funds and Be Eligible for Prizes
Interested in raising money for the Skiers for Cures program? Get started now - click here.

For each $250 raised, the fundraiser will have their name entered in a raffle drawing for great getaways at area resorts and other items including special prizes donated by skiing legend Bjorn Daehlie. More on that soon!

____________________________________________________________________________
2010 Sit-Ski Event

Prior to seeing the first Birkie finishers on Main Street, spectators will again have the opportunity to watch physically challenged athletes use the latest adaptive ski equipment as they ski to the Birkie Finish Line at 9:00 AM on race day.

Later in the day several Sit-Skiers will ski alongside Birkie skiers as they cover the final three kilometers of the course to their finish on Main Street. These athletes will begin on the far end of Lake Hayward at Noon.

Skiers interested in participating in the Sit-Ski events should contact our office at birkie@birkie.com or 715-634-5025.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to try using a Sit-Ski at the ski demo on Thursday and Friday at Telemark Lodge. 

For more information on the sit-ski event visit the Sit-Ski Event page.

_________________________________________________________________

Team Competition Returns to 2010 Birkie

There's nothing like the energy of a team to bring out the best in a group of athletes. The team spirit and camaraderie motivates men and women of all ages and fitness levels. Now there's an outlet for all that energy, training and motivation. The Team Competition is intended to be a fun addition to the American Birkebeiner.

The ABSF and Lake Superior College in Duluth, Minnesota will again present the Team Competition. For 2010 the Team Competition has been expanded to include an Open category for organization, e.g. businesses and club teams of men and women, regardless of age.

Team Divisions Include:

  • Juniors
  • College
  • Open
Get your friends together and visit the Team Competition page to get started. Your Team Captain must submit a Team Registration form no later than Monday, February 15th. All team members must already be registered for either the BIrkie/Korte.
______________________________________________________________________________
2009 Birkie Trail Run Half2010 BirkieTour A Great Success

Despite a bleak weather forecast skiers of the first annual BirkieTour enjoyed a great day on the trail. The predicted ice and rain held off until the last skiers finished the event.

"Over 550 skiers registered for our first BirkieTour," said Ned Zuelsdorff, Executive Director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF). "We couldn't be more pleased with the number of participants."

"Skiers told us they had a great time," said Zuelsdorff. "The BirkieTour offers skiers the opportunity to ski a fun, relaxed, untimed event on the American Birkebeiner Trail and Birkie Classic Trail with their family and friends."

BirkieTour skiers started the event at
...continue reading.
 

Check out the event video, photos and more.

__________________________________________________________________________
Kangen Water

We, the representatives of Enagic, USA; are setting up a Sample-Team Study of the use of 'KANGEN' Alkaline Water by athletes.
 
We are looking for at least 20 participants who will receive and drink KANGEN WATER for ten days prior to the event.  This is not a drug or supplement enhancer, and therefore cannot disqualify anyone.  It is merely "THE BEST WATER ON THE PLANET."  

We ask that participants keep track of the change in workout results and how their body is responding to training and any change in race times. 

Using this water will improve an athlete's former performance and reduce exhaustion.  One of the main components of the water is that it provides far more oxygen to the body than ordinary water, making the body "the best it can be;" and also results in far less pain and muscle aches after training or a race; as it is highly anti-oxidant. The alkaline water will also neutralize the lactic acid the muscles produce, for a longer period time, giving greater endurance and stamina.

The 20 participants will receive all the KANGEN WATER that they need in the 10 days before the race and on race day.  They will also be asked to return a written report of their findings to the representatives of ENAGIC, USA, at the end of the race.

Please respond by 6 p.m. February 12th.  For further information, please contact:
Marilyn Robertson (715) 236-1855
Rick McNitt  (715) 234-4949
_______________________________________________________________________________
  Birkie® Fever

Passing It On

By John Prentice

2009 Birkie Trail Run HalfIn the early 1970s my friend Jim and I were working hard at being Midwestern ski bums, working at one of the local ski hills.Then it was called Port Mountain, now it is known as Mt Ashwabay. This guy shows up one day and takes a bunch of us cross country skiing, all the while talking about this race at Telemark.
 
We didn't take it seriously, until the late 1970s when my friend Jim called me and told me all about this race that is growing by leaps and bounds. Somewhere along the line Jim talked me into doing it. In 1981, my fever started.
 
But here is the REAL KICKER. My friend Jim got married and had kids (one son and two girls.) BUT this gets better. Who was this guy .
.......continue reading.

Share Your Birkie Fever Story

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

Get Ready Using the Birkie Training Plan

This is a final article to help you organize your training plan in preparation for this year's Birkie. To view the previous articles please see the training articles found here. This training plan provides you with guidelines of what should be done leading up to the race so you have a great event from start to finish. Whether you start in Wave 1 or Wave 8 our goal is to provide you with fundamentals for developing the endurance and strength necessary to participate in the Birkie or other ski events this winter.

Our sample training plan provides different intensity levels. It is important to work on those intensities and challenge your body so when you ski up the beautiful hills of the Birkie your body knows how to tolerate that effort and recover efficiently when you ski down the hill. If you think about the Birkie, it's a....continue reading.

About Central Cross Country Ski Association (CXC Skiing): Central Cross Country Association ("CXC") is recognized by the United States Ski and Snowboard Association ("USSA") as the Regional Organization governing cross country skiing in the 10 state Central Region of the United States. CXC provides an organization which enables athletes, coaches and officials to achieve excellence in cross country skiing through: EDUCATION, COOPERATION, COMMUNICATION, and COMPETITION. CXC oversees youth programs; supports the Junior Olympic Qualifying system, Central Collegiate Ski Association, and Senior/Master skiing; provides athletes', coaches' and officials' education; coordinates competitions; manages a full spectrum adaptive program for all individuals with physical disabilities; trains Olympic caliber athletes; and is the Midwest pipeline to the U.S. Ski Team and the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team. CXC is a 501c3 non profit corporation and gratefully accepts tax deductible donations for program enhancement.


 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 7,900 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.

Ski . Run . Live

Upcoming Events

Thursday, February 25, 2010
12:30 p.m. Barnebirkie
1:30 p.m. Barnie Ski Games
2:30 p.m. Elite Sprints


Friday, February 26, 2010
9:00 a.m. Junior Birkie
10:00 a.m. Children's Snowshoe Hike
12:30 p.m. Skijoring Demo
1:00 p.m. Welcoming Ceremonies
1:30 p.m. Citizen Sprints
2:15 p.m. 5/10K Fun Ski


Saturday, February 27, 2010
8:00 a.m. - 2010 American Birkebeiner/Kortelopet
10:15 a.m. - Prince Haakon
6:30 p.m. - Birkie Slide Show
7:00 p.m. Birkie/Korte Awards Ceremony/Party


Click for a complete Schedule of Events.