[Carpe Skiem] Countdown to Birkie 2012, Race Info, Special Events

January 31, 2012

Volume 10 - Issue 3

NEW for 2012!
Birkie Apparel

Why Wait for the Expo?

Order Now!

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Birkie Quick Links
Birkie/Korte Registration
Skier Confirmation
News
Events
Trail
Results
Birkie Merchandise
About Us

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Birkie Lodging

Mark your calendars for the 39th American Birkebeiner� from
Feb. 23-25, 2012!

The 2012 events include the 50K Birkie Skate, 54K Birkie Classic sponsored by Becker Law, and 23K Kortelopet Skate and Classic races sponsored by Marshfield Clinic of Hayward.

Birkie 2012 also features shorter races, events and festivities for:

men, women, teens and kids
families
skijor enthusiasts
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!

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

2011
American Birkebeiner Trail Run, Relay & Trek
Sept. 24, 2011

The 2011 American Birkebeiner Trail Run includes you choice of:

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.

2012
BirkieTour
January 21, 2012

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

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

February 23-25, 2012

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

"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.

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."

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

Love skiing with over 8000 of my closest friends.

BIG THANK YOU to the Birkie staff and volunteers and the citizens of Hayward and Cable for making this wonderful event possible and a BIG THANK YOU to the fans for making the experience of skiing up Main Street second to none.

~Chris Jones

Thank you for giving us all something to focus on all winter long!

Birkie day is the gretest day of the year in my mind, ranking above Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, Packer Sundays, Badger Saturdays, opening day of fishing season and even ahead of opening day of gun deer season.

Birkie day is the ultimate Wisconsin experience.

The best organized 'signature' sports event I have ever been involved in. Excellent experience!!! Thanks to all the volunteers!!! They are wonderful!!!

Skier Praise for
2011 Birkie Events!

Love this event, love the organization, love all the people who are involved. Thanks! Keep up the good work.

Birkie is an A+ event and I hope to be back next year!

A million thank you's to all the outstanding volunteers is not enough. They are the reason the race continues.

This was my first Birkie and it was AWESOME!!! I will definitely be back next year and many years to come...I want my purple bib!!

Extremely well organized, volunteers and locals really make you feel welcome.

GREAT JOB everyone. Really impressive series of events for three days.

The Birkie was an epic race! I hope I can be back next year with more experience, more training,

and better technique.
(And hopefully warmer weather!)

Best organized event I have ever done. Volunteers are great people. Well done!

This was my first year and it will not be my last. It was a great challenge and I am all ready thinking about what I can do to improve
my time for next year!
Bravo and thank you very much!

I really enjoyed my first Korte. Thanks to all the volunteers and event staff!

Another great year of Birkie events. Thank you all so much for your efforts. See you next year.

I would like to thank all who made this race possible and to all the volunteers who gave their time and
braved the cold.

This was my first endurance race of any kind, and I had a blast! Everything was great.
Thanks for the memories!!

Fantastic event - Great people - great organization and lots of fun!

THE VOLUNTEERS ROCK!

Thanks for a wonderful family event!

I'm hooked on the Birkie now.
Many thanks!

Greetings from the Birkie�

Hi Skiers and Friends!

We just finished a record BirkieTour on a very cold day. 695 skiers did the shortened event. I saw a lot of smiling faces and we've received many very positive comments. Many of these skiers are participating in our new Birkie Warrior Series.

Ski conditions now are fantastic for both skating and striding. A ribbon of snow will soon be plowed on Lake Hayward to preserve the course across the lake as we move toward the 2012 American Birkebeiner, now just 25 days away.

We expect nearly 12,000 total skiers here for Birkie week. Things are very busy here as we and our 50 race chiefs prepare for your race. We will be ready!

You'll be receiving several Carpe Skiem ezines to keep you updated on important race information, Birkie events, and preparations. You can always check our Birkie Website for information as well and look for daily updates on Facebook.

Stay Fit and see you on the Trails!

Ned Zuelsdorff

Executive Director

Get Updates on Facebook

Get daily updates and news as it happens ... on Facebook!

Race & Registration Information

Please pay special attention to the following:

You can also go to "Race Info" online.

Change Request Deadline
The deadline for requesting the following changes is

6 P.M. ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2012:

Technique Change - $15
Wave Change Requests (qualifying race info must be provided) - Fee $15
Birkie to Korte - Fee $15 (no additional fee if technique change is made at same time)
Korte to Birkie - Fee $30 (no additional fee if technique change is made at same time)

Confirm Your Registration
Now is the time to check your skier confirmation online to make absolutely sure your transaction processed correctly. Go to Skier Confirmation.

* Get Help With Your Kids While You Ski!

Once again, parents participating in the Birkie or Kortelopet have a great option for child care at this

year's Birkebeiner. For the fifth straight year Conserve School of Land O' Lakes, Wisc. will host Camp Birkie for Kids. Click Here for details and to sign up, or call (715) 547-1300 for more information.

Cut-Off Times on Race Day

Cut-off times are in place to assure that adequate skier support and medical assistance is available. Skiers who do not reach the following points by the cut-off times will be required to leave the course and will not receive a finish time. Bus Transportation will be provided from all cut-off points.

Time

Location

Kilometer / Race

2:00 p.m.
Telemark Trails Food Station
   16.3K Kortelopet

1:45 p.m.

OO Crossing

   22.8K Birkie Skate/26.2K Birkie Classic

4:00 p.m.

Mosquito Brook Food Station

   38.1K Birkie Skate/42.1K Birkie Classic

5:00 p.m.

Hwy 77 Food Station

   44.3K Birkie Skate/48.3K Birkie Classic

Questions? Email [email protected] or call 715-634-5025.

Birkie Week Schedule of Events

Birkie Expo & Ski Demos

Visit the following booths during our two-day Birkie Expo for special offers, samples, contests, giveaways, and more. Go to Birkie Expo Preview.

_ Thursday, Feb. 23: 1:00 - 9:00 p.m.

_ Friday, Feb. 24: 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Hayward Middle School - Greenwood Lane, off Highway 63

Register for Events

Presented By Verizon Wireless

Check out what other events you and your friends and family want to be part of
during Birkie week, Thursday and Friday, Feb. 23-24. You can still sign up for the following:

Special Guest Skier & Speaker

Expedition to the South Pole:

At the Park Theater - Thursday, Feb. 23.

Vegard Ulvang is six-Time Olympic Medalist Will Also Ski the Birkie! Vegard Ulvang is a six-time Olympic medalist and recognized as one of Norway's Top Ten Nordic skiers of all time. He also just completed an 800-mile ski to the South Pole on December 14, 2011, in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Amundsen's famous expedition in 1911. Attend his presentation on Thursday, Feb. 23.

Click Here: For Details & Reservations

Click Here: For Ulvang's complete
Calendar of Appearances during Birkie Week

* Vegard Ulvang is this year's Birkie "Skiers for Cures" Ambassador for
Multiple Sclerosis.

Purchase your "Ski for the Cure" Pin as your ticket to this rare
opportunity to hear Vegard Ulvang in person. Details online.

* * *

Olympic Duo & Daughters to Ski Birkie, Korte, Junior Birkie

Check out who you're standing next to ... at the start line of your event at this year's American Birkebeiner. Vegard Ulvang's
family is here to ski, too, in the Birkie, Kortelopet, and Junior Birkie. Learn more.

For any questions about Ulvang's visit,
please contact the Birkie office at
[email protected] or 715-634-5025.

Birkie Lodging 2012

Birkie Lodging

Choose From the Following:

_ Local Hotels and Resorts

Please visit the Birkie Lodging page on our website under "Getting Here." It includes links to lists of hotels, motels, and resorts in the Cable, Hayward, Ashland, and Rice Lake areas of Wisconsin.

_ The Birkie Dorm

On this same Birkie Lodging page, you will also find information and a link to reserve a spot in the Birkie Dorm, which means camping out in the Hayward Middle School gym. Bring a sleeping bag, air mattress, etc. Showers are available in the school. Waxing space is not available in the school. One-time Bus Transportation from the school to the start will be provided at 6:00 a.m.

_ Birkie Lodging Directory - Private Homes

For additional information on local hotels, motels, resorts, as well as private homes, please request the Birkie Lodging Directory at [email protected], or call 715-634-5025.

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SKI LIKE LANDGRAF!

Here is the official hat created in memory of Birkie Founder David Landgraf. Buy one and lend your support to the Ski Strong Foundation and Scholarship fund, created by the Landgraf family in Dave's honor. Go to Cyclova.com.

Get more information about the

Ski Strong Foundation and its goal to help more young people ski the Birkebeiner and Kortelopet.

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Get Your 2012 Birkie Apparel

ank you for all the orders! Everyday we send out more items. Get your choice of the new Birkie sweatshirt, short- and long-sleeve T-Shirts, hat, headband, pin, the custom Birkie Buff, and more. Take a look around the Birkie Store Online online.

Or, stop by! There is also a Birkie Store at our offices at the end of Main Street in downtown Hayward, WI.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Please join us in thanking all our loyal Sponsors who keep us going from year to year, as well as all the new sponsors who have come on board for Birkie 2012!

Expo Sneak Peak!
You can also check out who will be at the Birkie Expo this year. Click Here for complete details!

FREE Birkie Entries 2012

A few of our sponsors have some Birkie / Korte entries they would like to give away. Click on each of each of the offers below.

ABSF

American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation

Meet Our Board of Directors

Our ABSF Board Members are a diverse group of professionals who each has a deep connection to and experience with the Birkie. See their stories. Warrior Logo What they do behind the scenes contributes to your Birkie experience.
Click Here to get to know the Birkie Board.

Become a ABSF Member

The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is a membership organization. There are membership levels for individuals, families, and businesses. To learn more about becoming a member, Click Here.

NEW! "Birkie Warrior Series"

Get Credit for Participating in Birkie

Events Year Round

Do you love to get out on the Birkie Trail year round? Now get credit for participating in your favorite Birkie events. Choose any one race/distance from each of our top three events: January's BirkieTour, February's American Birkebeiner races, and September's Birkie Trail Run & Trek races. This is not about your time, just your participation! Get all the details about the new Birkie Warrior Series.

Birkie� Training & Nutrition

Birkie Training Plan - Countdown to Birkie 2012

By Bill Pierce

Whether you are on snow or in a no-snow zone this year, get some guidance and encouragement from Coach Bill Pierce. Take a look at his training article on this topic.

Also be sure to check out his Birkie Training Plan for Jan./Feb. that takes you all the way to race day. The Birkie Training Plan is featured in Outside Magazine ___________________________________________________________________________

Eat Your Way to a Better Birkie

By Donna Marlor

Feature Article:

"Eating After Exercise"

Check out the new Birkie Nutrition page on our website with Donna Marlor's latest Birkie-Countdown article.
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"Fitness in 5"

By Jay Tapper

"Anybody can move smarter and for better results." Listen to Jay live on 88.9 FM, WOJB, Friday mornings at 10:45 with host Jacque Lindsgood. Then check out the wealth of videos, each with a strength, stretching, or balance activity that takes 5 minutes or less. It's the small things that make the biggest difference, especially during ski season. Watch videos and click to listen live online at Fitness in 5.

Important Dates & Events

February                Deadline for Making Any Changes to Your Birkie/Korte Registration

February 23-25    Birkie 2012!

Until Aug 22    Sign Up for the NEW Birkie Warrior Series

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 . Live!