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February 17, 2012                                Volume 10 - Issue 4
 
 
Birkie Buff 2012  

At The Expo!


______________________________
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Skier Confirmation
News
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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�

NedZuelsdorff
Hi Skiers and Friends!

 

Only a week to the 2012 Birkie and we will be ready! It is very exciting with an all-time record 9,200 Birkie and Korte skiers. Mother Nature has thrown us a curve ball with the warmer temperatures and low snowfall, but our crew has been working hard and the skiing is excellent. We anticipate a great event for the 12,000 total skiers that will be here for race week.

 

The record number of skiers means more traffic and possible delays. We will have special buses running from Hayward to Telemark on Saturday morning. Reduce your pre-race stress, park in Hayward, ride a bus to Telemark and have your car waiting for you when you finish. Riding the bus will help you, us and everyone have an even better event! Please use them. There's more info below. I also encourage you to pick up your race bib Thursday and avoid the Friday afternoon rush.

 

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

Get Updates on Facebook

For Birkie Countdown:

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Get daily--sometimes hourly--updates and news as it happens ... We put it on Facebook first. Like Us! 

 Race & Registration Info

Please pay special attention to the following: 

You can also go to "Race Info" online.

 

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 Conserve School 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.   
Events & Schedule Notes
Birkie Expo - Hayward
Visit the following booths during our two-day Birkie Expo for special offers, samples, contests, giveaways, and more. The Expo will be held at the Hayward Middle School, on Greenwood Lane, off Highway 63 in Hayward. Check out the Birkie Expo Preview!  
 

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

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

 

Ski Demos - Cable
To be held at Telemark Resort, in Cable WI, also on Thursday and Friday during the times above. Try out skis from Atomic, Fischer, Madshus, One Way, Rossignol, and Salomon.
 
No Experience Necessary!
Giant Ski
There are still a few spots available in the Giant Ski event on Friday, Feb. 24, at 11:00. For skiers and non-skiers alike. These 25-foot Giant Skis are outfitted with snowshoe bindings, so all you have to do is get six people together and hop on in pair of snow or hiking boots. You can even try out the skis Thursday afternoon at 5:30 at the Welcome, Torch Lighting, and Fun Sk on Main Street.

Other great family events and traditions include:


 
Welcome & Torch Lighting
5 Reasons to Attend This Year's Opening Festivities

Get ready for some great new additions to the Official Welcome and Torch Lighting at Birkie 2012. The festivities start at a new time--5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 23, Hayward's Main Street, under the holiday lights. It all starts with the traditional parade of flags, presented by skiers from both the Hayward and Drummond high schools ski teams. Here's what else is happening:

 

_ THE LANDGRAF FAMILY. You can help extend a warm Birkie welcome to Laurie Landgraf, who will be lighting the Birkie Torch. Laurie is the wife of Dave Landgraf, Birkie Founder and friend, coach, and skiing buddy to many, who passed away after a tragic bicycle accident in August.

 

_ SKI UNDER THE LIGHTS. New this year, you are invited to ski on Main Street under the holiday lights and start a new Birkie tradition with family and friends.

 

_ PRIZES! Five great prizes--One Way Ski poles, Rudy Project sunglasses, a Craft jacket, your choice of Salomon running or hiking shoes, and a ski bag-will be given away in a random drawing. Prizes will be presented by Norway's Vegard Ulvang.

 

_ TRY OUT GIANT SKIS. There will be two pair of the 25-foot-long Giant Skis to try. These are the same skis used the next day, Friday, at the Giant Ski event on Main Street. The skis have snowshoe bindings, so you can hop right on with family and friends.

 

_ MORE OF VEGARD ULVANG. The Welcome and Torch Lighting is held immediately following the presentation by Ulvang about his 2011 expedition to the South Pole, to be held at the Hayward High School from 4:00 to 5:00. Hayward High School is right next to the Hayward Middle School-site of the Birkie Expo-on Greenwood Lane.

 
Birkie Celebration Tent
Burgers, Brats, and Beer from Wisconsin!  
    

The large Birkie Celebration Tent, this year sponsored by Matador Beef Jerky, will again be in place near the Birkie finish line-- a great place to "celebrate" your day with friends and family. Local community groups will be selling burgers, brats, hot dogs, beer, cocoa, coffee, pop, and other Northern Wisconsin fare. You can also sample Matador Beef Jerky at its booth. Beer will be available from several great local breweries including:


- Angry Minnow - Hayward
- South Shore - Ashland
- Northwoods - Eau Claire

- Leinenkugel - Chippewa Falls

 

The Celebration Tent is adjacent to the Finish Line Food Station and skier changing tents in Tent City, sponsored by Peoples Bank of Wisconsin. This food station will have soup and rolls for all skiers.


Race results and receipts will also be available in the Cel
ebration Tent. 

 

 Special Guest Skier & Speaker


 

LOCATION MOVED 

  

Expedition to the South Pole: Thursday, Feb. 23       

Vegard Ulvang - South PoleDue to the overwhelmingly positive response to this prese ntation, we have
moved the location to the Hayward High School auditorium, right down the street from the Birkie Expo on Greenwood Lane, Hayward, WI.  

   

Seating may still be limited. Make your reservation today.

 

Reservations Suggested! 


Email:
[email protected] 

Subject Line:Reservation

Click Here: For Complete Event Details   

 

*     *     *     *     *   

 

 PLUS ... Poster Signing at the Birkie Expo
   

Click Here: For Ulvang's complete Calendar of Appearances during Birkie Week including a Poster Signing at the Birkie Expo on Friday, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Sponsored by Fischer Skis. 

    

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

Finish Lines Prizes from MS
Win With Your Pin ...


Wear this pin on your race bib on Feb. 25 for a chance to be randoml y selected for great prizes at the Birkie and Korte finish lines. You pin purchase support Multiple Sclerosis research through the Birkie's Skiers for Cures program. Pins are $20 and available at various places in Hayward, including the Birkie office, New Moon Ski & Bike, the Birkie Expo, and at the Vegard Ulvang presentation.


Open Your "Virtual Race Bag"
Emailed to You on February 15th

Get more than 30 discounts, giveaways, contests, ads, and more from our Birkie sponsors in our first ever "Virtual Race Bag"!

Check your email!

Sent: Wednesday, Feb. 15
Time: 2:40 p.m. (CST)
From: American Birkebeiner
Subject Line: American Birkebeiner :: Your Virtual Race Bag is ready!

You receive another email on Tuesday of race week and the week after the race, this time with your personal race resutls.

  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.

____________________________________________________________
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.

____________________________________________________________

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.



___________________________________________________________
 Get Your 2012 Birkie Apparel

    

Thank 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! 

 

  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 LogoWhat 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 



Bill Pierce 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 __________________________________________
 

EDonna Marlorat Your Way to a Better Birkie  

By Donna Marlor  

Fe
ature Article: 

"Eating After Exercise"   

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


Becker Law2009 Birkie Trail Run Half