Carpe Skiem Header
November 17, 2010
                                 Volume 8 - Issue 12
Birkie Quick Links
News
Events
Trail
Results
Birkie Merchandise
About Us

 
 
Send Carpe Skiem!
 to a Friend


Have a friend who would enjoy Carpe Skiem?
Encourage them to
sign up here
or forward this issue to them.
View our profile on LinkedIn Birkie on LinkedIn
Mulitple groups including Birkie Skiers and Birchlegging Skiers. 

Find us on FacebookFollow us on Twitter
2011 Birkie Poster












2011 Birkie Poster


Be one of the first to have the 2011 Birkie Poster on display.
Order yours today!
 
Price: $16.00
(includes shipping & handling)

More great items coming soon!
______________________________


Mark your calendars for the 38th American Birkebeiner
from
Feb.  24-26, 2011!


The 2011 events include the 50K Birkie Skate sponsored by Becker Law Office, 54K Birkie Classic, and 23K Kortelopet Skate and Classic races sponsored by Marshfield Clinic of Hayward.

Birkie 2011 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!

 

2011
BirkieTour
January 22, 2011

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

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

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

Learn more visit
www.birkie.com

2011
American Birkebeiner Trail Run, Relay & Trek

Sept. 24, 2011


The 2011 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 Birkie Trail Run, Relay or Trek.

 

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

 In our house, winter is a journey whose destination is the BIRKIE!


My family and I are grateful and frankly humbled by the enormous dedication of all staff and volunteers who work on the Birkie each year. It's an extraordinary event and is as much a part of our family experience as birthdays and holidays.


"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


For almost thirty years, it has been a blessing in my life! THANK YOU.


You guys run a world class event. It is the most fun you can have while torturing yourself.


My life is richer because of my experiences at the
American Birkebeiner.
Can't wait for next year!


See you at the start, race you the finish...hoping to have the time of my life along the way!

-Jim Reker


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.


Better than Christmas. I will be skiing the Birkie every year I'm alive on Earth. It's that special."

Praise for 2010 Events!

GREAT RACE! GREAT JOB!


Loved skiing with 8000 of my closest ski friends!!!


Keep up the good work!


My 23rd and it was one of the best! Thanks!


You do a great job. I am always impressed.


Thanks for a great race!


You all did an amazing job in making this race, with record numbers, come off extremely well. The grooming this year has been fantastic, and the trail was excellent all year.
Thank you sooo much!


Great weather, do that every year.


The race was very smooth. I thought the organization was outstanding. Congratulations on another wonderful Birkie!!


THANK YOU to all the wonderful people who make this race possible!!!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the volunteers!


Have only favorable comments to pass on after my 1st Birkie. Staff and volunteers were helpful and courteous. Carhart meets spandex!


Awesome event!


Thanks for running a very classy event.


As always, a great job! Thanks to all the volunteers.


Great race! Great volunteers! Very well organized. Thank you.


My first Birkie, I caught the FEVER!


The groomers did a fabulous job and my hat is off to them!
  Greetings from the Birkie�!

NedZuelsdorff
Hi Skiers and Friends!

The Birkie Trails is already covered with light snow, and we are finishing the remaining trail projects as winter is once again upon us.


I hope your preparations for Winter and the ski season are going well. I had a chance to attend the MadNorSki club meeting last week and talk with some of the 100+ very excited members who were there. It was a lot of fun and the excitement and anticipation of the upcoming ski season were contagious.


We already have more than 5,400 skiers registered for the Birkie and Kortelopet events, which is over 700 skiers ahead of last year at this time. We are continuing toward our capacity of 8,400 skiers for the 2011 American Birkebeiner.. Just a reminder that our next registration fee deadline is November 30. So sign up now, make the commitment, save a few dollars and assure you'll get in.


As always, we welcome your comments and you can reach me at ned@birkie.com.


Stay fit,
Ned Zuelsdorff
Executive Director
ned@birkie.com


Registration News

Registration Deadline - November 30, 2010

The next race registration fee deadline for the Birkie, Kortelopet and Prince Haakon events is Tuesday, November 30th.

Current Fees
Birkebeiner - $95
Kortelopet - $85
Prince Haakon - $50

If you are interested in registering for the:
50K Birkebeiner Skate
54K Birkebeiner Classic
23K Kortelopet Skate or Classic
12K Prince Haakon Skate or Classic

visit www.birkie.com on or before November 30, 2010.
From the web site you may register online or print a registration form.

Reminder of Registration Cap/Deadline

There is a Race Cap of 8400 skiers for the 2011 Birkebeiner & Kortelopet and 400 skiers for the 2011 Prince Haakon. There is also an overall Registration Deadline of January 31, 2011 for these events. Skier registration will close upon reaching the cap or the deadline, which ever comes first.

2011 Wave Capacity

Skate waves for the 2011 Birkie and Kortelopet will each contain 650 skiers and each Classic wave will have a capacity of 350 skiers. At this time, Skate Waves 1, 2 and 3 each have about 100-150 positions remaining. All other waves have significant openings. We will continue to announce the total registration number as well as inform you of wave sizes and closures. 

Race Change/Technique Deadline

The race change deadline is Monday, February 14, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. Race change fees are as follows:  Korte to Birkie, $25; Birkie to Korte $15; Classic to Skate or Skate to Classic $15. Changes must be made by phone. Call 715-634-5025. Credit card number will be required.

  Birkie News�
20 Projects Receive American Birkebeiner Young Skier Grants

Twenty youth cross country ski programs will get a boost this winter thanks to funding from the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundtion (ABSF). The Foundation recently awarded $15,000 to programs around the country targeted to youth skiers.

"We received applications from 51 programs and awarded funding to 20, most of which are new or expanding programs to foster more kids getting involved in cross country skiing," said Ned Zuelsdorff, Executive Director of the ABSF. "We're hopeful many will get hooked on cross country skiing as a way to get outside, stay active and promote a healthy lifestyle."

To date, more than $160,000 has been awarded to over 170 ski clubs and organizations throughout the United States. ABSF Young Skier Grants support...Continue Reading.


_____________________________________________________________________________

Birkie� Trail Friends

Birkie Trail FriendsWe know how important the fantastic Birkie Trail system is to you and other trail enthusiasts. We need you to help us maintain this great resource for all users. You can help by becoming a Trail Sponsor and receive a tax deduction at the same time.
 
We are seeking sponsors for each kilometer of the Birkie, Birkie Classic and Kortelopet Trails. You know the trail and you can choose your favorite kilometer. Your sponsorship as a Birkie� Trail Friend supports the American Birkebeiner� Ski Foundation's annual trail efforts and your tax deductible donation is solely used to maintain, groom and improve the trail system.
 
As a Birkie Trail Friend you will be identified on a small, unobtrusive plaque placed on the "K" marker you sponsor. In addition, you'll receive a Birkie Trail Friend bumper sticker to display your support wherever you choose.
 
The sponsorship fee for becoming a Birkie Trail Friend is $500 annually for each premium kilometer and $300 annually for other kilometers. A 3-year sponsorship commitment is required and at the end of the three years you will be offered a first right of refusal for your sponsored kilometer.
 
Interested in becoming a Birkie Trail Friend or if you want to learn more, visit www.birkie.com.
 
Remember, the ABSF is a non-profit organization and any donation you make is tax deductible.

_________________________________________________________________

New Events Announced for Birkie 2011

Birkie 2011 will welcome several new events including a Skijoring Race, the "Giant Ski" event and a Snow Sculpture Contest.

The new 5K Skijoring Race is intended to be a fun race providing a great opportunity for skiers and spectators to learn more about Skijoring. Skijoring involves skier and dog teams. The event will take place on Friday, February 25th at 10:00 a.m. The race will start and finish on Hayward's Main Street. Event registration and more information is
available here.

The first annual Birkie "Giant Ski" will take place on Hayward's Main Street on Friday, February 25th at Noon. The giant skis are 25 feet long and require the coordinated effort of six "skiers". Grab your friends and come participate in this event where two six-member teams will ski head-to-head in this friendly competition on the "Giant Skis." Register Early! The event will be limited to 12 teams of 6 individuals. The event is guaranteed to be fun for both participants and spectators. Click here for additional information and registration.

For those who had the joy of skiing the Birkie way back when Tony Wise was with us, you will remember the magnificent ice sculptures that were created by an Austrian Ice Sculptor. This year, we are bringing it all back to Downtown Hayward with a Snow Sculpture Contest. The contest is available to everyone and families are encouraged to enter. More details will be published in future ezines and on the website.

A complete Schedule of Events and individual event information is available at www.birkie.com. Most events now offer online registration and printable registration forms are available.


_________________________________________________________________________________

Birkie Skiers for Cures - Wear the pin to win!

2011 Birkie MS PinDonate $20 or more to the National MS Society and you'll receive the 2011 

commemorative Skiers for Cures pin, once again designed by Birkie skier Kay Lum. Wear the pin on your race bib as you cross the finish line and you're eligible for great prizes*


*Prizes will be awarded randomly as skiers cross the finish line of each race, so skiers of every level will have the opportunity to win! 


Join the nearly 50 skiers who won prizes last year! 


Pins are available by emailing Kelly.Wierdsma@nmss.org or calling 800.242.3358.  Pins will also be available at the Birkie office and on-site at the Birkie in February.


Special Grand Prize for Skiers for Cures Participants - A trip to Norway!

 

If you raise funds for Birkie Skiers for Cures you're eligible for a drawing to receive a trip to the Norwegian Birkebeiner-the Birkebeinerrennet!  For every $250 you raise for Skiers for Cures, you'll receive an entry to the drawing. The prize includes:


  • Entry for two into the 2012 Birkebeinerrennet in Norway
  • Three nights lodging for two
  • Coupon for air travel up to $1,000 total


All skiers who register for Skiers for Cures will be eligible for additional prizes.


Visit wisMS.org for more information.

________________________________________________________________________________

Birkie� Merchandise Makes Great Christmas Gifts 

2011 Birkie HatThe 2011 Birkie Merchandise is now available online. In addition to posters and pins we also have great fleece, t-shirts, tech t-shirts and mugs. Buffs and Swix ski hats are also available. 

Looking for great Christmas or Birthday gifts for your favorite Birkie skier then check out all the great merchandise here.


________________________________________________________________
Pisten Bully 100 Groomer for Sale

Pisten Bully 100
The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is selling its 1999 Pisten Bully 100 grooming machine. The machine is in very good to excellent condition. It was new on the trail in the winter of 1999/2000. It is an exceptionally clean machine with an excellent service record. The service record documents will be provided.

It has 2525 hours on the engine drive card and 1830 hours on the tiller motor. All the hydraulic hoses and the tiller bar were replaced during the 2008 season. New rubber drive tracks were installed on the machine in 2006. These tracks make low snow grooming a possibility with this machine. The groomer has a 10' tiller capacity with a 12' combed surface and adjustable twin track setters. The front snow blade has a 12' capacity.


The sale price of this unit is $108,000.00 with $3,000.00 dollars of shop labor service provided toward any necessary repairs or maintenance within the first twelve (12) months after ownership transfer. Additional photos are available here. 


For further information or a showing contact Ned Zuelsdorff at ned@birkie.com or call 715-634-5025.


 
_______________________________________________________________________________

2011 BirkieTour Registration Now Open

Birkie Trail Run & TrekThe 2011 BirkieTour will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2011. Last year over 500 skiers participated in this fun, non-competitive event.

Skier registration and more information for the 2011 BirkieTour is available here.

 

  Birkie� Fever

Michael Adams Birkie Fever
Michael Adams
You're Gonna Do What?

By Michael Adams
 

That is the question I am most often asked when I tell work colleagues or friends here in New York or Hoboken my plans for winter fun. Clearly, flying from Newark Airport to Minneapolis, renting a car and driving 3.5 hours to Northern Wisconsin to ski 33 miles in the freezing cold for a pin and an cup of soup does not sound like much fun for most people here on the east coast.....and I understand that.  However, I guess I was always one to take the road (or ski trail) less traveled. 

I grew up in Pennsylvania and never skied. After college I moved to Washington DC and tried downhill skiing on ice for a while, which was not fun. Then I moved to Hoboken, New Jersey right outside of New York City and decided that Killington, Vermont was the place to be and the place to ski.  All my friends were avid snowboarders and so I felt a little out of place and never really got into the downhill thrills. 

Then came the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics.  I watched the cross country skiing and I was hooked.  I said to myself, ... 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.
 Birkie Health & Fitness

Technique Focus: Balance is Key

By Bill Pierce

Most of us concentrate on becoming faster skiers by focusing on the fitness of our bodies. Great fitness will make you ski fast, but it can also mask bad technique. If you want to see overall improvement in your performance you must have technically correct technique.

           

If you have attended a ski technique clinic in the last couple of years you will have heard information and terminology on how to ski correctly. You've heard that your strong arm pole plant position should be close to your head in V1. You should keep your hips high or forward in all techniques. Your torso should not twist in skating, but simply shift from side to side. While these phrases are correct, for most beginning and improving skiers they are hard to grasp without seeing them on video and are most often small issues caused by some other foundational factor. Becoming a better technical skier is mostly based on BALANCE.

           

If you break skiing down to one sentence, it's learning better balance, so you can dynamically transfer your full weight from glide ski to glide ski.  It takes two things to ski fast and efficiently...Continue Reading

_________________________________________________________________________________

Birkie/ActivEdge Gymnastic Ball Clinic

When:  Saturday November 27th

Time: 9:00 - 11:00 AM

Where:  ActivEdge Fitness Center, Lenroot Lodge, Seeley, WI


Details:

  • Learn Gymnastic Ball exercises to increase flexibilty, core strength, and balance with instructor Jay Tapper.
  • Geared to all ages and abilities.
  • Limited to 15 participants.
  • Some gymnastic balls will be provided. Please consider bringing your own.
More information is available here.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Birkie Life - Health, Fitness and Training

The Birkie Training Plan for November is posted, along with daily updates. Check it out! You will also find additional Training Plans in the Birkie Life Section including training plans and information from CXC.

The Fitness in 5 page includes a weekly video fitness tip and a link to WOJB where Jay Tapper and Jacque Lindskoog do a weekly Fitness In 5 segment each Friday at 10:45 a.m.

Don't forget the Recipe/Nutrition Section. There are a few new recipes posted and we are looking for recipes from you. Please share your favorite healthy recipes with us and you may see them posted here. Recipes can be emailed to media@birkie.com.

As always we welcome your feedback. Please send comments, ideas or questions about the Birkie Life section to media@birkie.com.

 The Birkie
SKI . RUN . 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 88-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.Liv
e

Becker Law2009 Birkie Trail Run Half
Upcoming Events

Saturday, January 22, 2011
BirkieTour

Thursday, February 24-Saturday, February 26, 2011
Birkie 2011

Saturday, September 24, 2011
Birkie Trail Run, Relay & Trek