October 16th, 2014  
                    
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 Thank you to all of our Sponsors:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is a PROUD member of the Worldloppet Ski Federation

 

Worldloppet Logo

 Click here for more information 

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 Remember,

Our Offices Have Moved!

 

Our New/Temporary

Location is: 

 

10636 Hayward Ct. -

Unit 4

Hayward, WI 54843

 

(Hwy 77 across  from Wal-Mart, in the

Big Log Building,

East Side)

 

Digging into the Main St. office!

 

We will be in our temporary location until Spring 2016, once the remodel is complete. 

 

Main St. office construction begins!

  

Mailing Address is still:

P.O. Box 911

Hayward, WI 54843

 

Phone Number is still: 

715-634-5025

 

You can always reach us at: [email protected]

 

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Check out the  

New Swix Gear 

 Coming Your Way!

 

   

Watch the website for the  

Birkie On-line Store to  

re-open in November!   

 

  

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Birkie Featured in

Men's Journal Magazine

   

Take a look at the American Birkebeiner in Men's Journal magazine online as part of the magazine's 2015 Adventure Race Calendar. We love how our the Birkie event and course got the Men's Journal "Killer" rating!

 

 

Click Here to Read More 

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Trail Passes!

 

Snow is just around the corner!

American Birkebeiner Trail System ski passes will be available soon.

Learn more about what you need to ski on the iconic Birkie Trail here! 

 

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A huge thank you to all the Participants, Spectators, Sponsors & Volunteers who made our Birkie Trail Run & Trek a success this past September 27th. 

Marathon Takes Off
Half Marathon Departs
1K Kids Fun Run
Trekkers got Out There!
6K Kicks Off

 

Mark your calendars for the 2016 event: September 26th!

 

Also, Runners; please take the follow-up survey that was sent to you, this way we can improve the event for years to come.

 

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CXC - Youth Adaptive Ski Fundraiser

 

You can help support the CXC Youth Adaptive Programming by entering a special drawing.

 

Click HERE to find out more.

 

  • ABSF is dedicated to supporting the youth through this raffle.
  • In addition to hosting the 'Adaptive Ski' on Friday, Feb. 20th, 2015, the top two finishers of the Birkie Adaptive Ski 3K events  - Sit Ski, Standing Adaptive & Visually Impaired - will go on to ski the 3K Adaptive Ski on Saturday, Feb. 21st to finish on Main St. with the Birkie Finishers. 

 

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CONTACT US: 

 

715-634-5025

[email protected] 


 
Greetings From the Birkie!

Dear Friends -

 

In a few days we will hit the 2015 Birkie/Korte registration cap (approx. 200 sports left). While we'd love to have more skiers, we are working hard to ensure positive, safe experiences for all the participants. We have learned a ton from last years "Big Snow" experience and feedback from you the skiers.   We are confident we have found some good solutions to our traffic and skier congestion issues that will allow for a much better flow this year. Look for a whole list of "Whats New" (including a reconstruction of the International Bridge) in the Birch Scroll coming out in early November.    

 

Trails are getting final brushing/mowing, trees from previous blow-downs are being cleared and trail treads are being smoothed out in preparation for snow. The aid-station re-route at Fish Hatchery is nearly completed and the new Korte finish is too in its final stages. All the grooming equipment is being prepared and the trail buildings are being set up for winter skiing/events. Let it snow!

 

But before the Birkie, we have the Birkie Tour for you to consider, coming up Jan 18th. It is a great day out on the trial to train, explore and just plain have fun! This year we have partnered with the Seeley Hills Classic to make it a great weekend of skiing. Stay tuned for a special package to come spend a weekend classic racing and Birkie Touring in January!

 

Please don't hesitate to drop me a line if there is anything I can help you with-I can always be reached at [email protected]
 

Get Out & Enjoy!

Ben Popp

Executive Director 


 In This Issue: 

Here's What's New for October...

 

  • SWIX Birkie 2015: Closing SOON!!
  • Coming November 3rd....
  • SWIX Corner: Name behind the Brand, part 3
  • Next Event: Birkie Tour!
  • Skier Development: 16 Grants Awarded
  • Annie's Angle: Nutrition
  • New Moon: Gold Level Sponsor
  • Wisconsin Nordic Development Group
  • Gear West & Craft: Win Stuff!!
  • Concept2: Ski Inside
  • Minnesota Youth Ski League
  • Birchleggings Club News
  • JDRF: Erin's Story
  • Birkie Fever: Got a Fever? Need more cowbell?

 

+ Don't forget to check the sidebar for more great info!
 

SWIX BIRKIE 2015
2015 SWIX American Birkebeiner!
  
February 21st, 2015
Only 200 Spots Left
 
Wave 4 - Skate to CLOSE at 4:00pm TODAY!
  
  

Please note:

  • Due to our new registration system, please remember to      REGISTER AS A GUEST
  •  "Skier Confirmation" confirms an order has been placed, not wave placement 
  • Registration is 'Case Sensitive', please use Capital Letters for Names, Street Address & City/State.

Coming Nov. 3rd!

 

SWIX Corner

 

 

 

       The Name Behind the Brand:

 Part 3 of 3 


Swix began manufacturing ski poles in 1974 in cooperation with The Liljedahl Pole factory. The 1974 World Champion- ships in Falun, Sweden marked a peak for Liljedahl, having close to 100% of the racers on Liljedahl poles. Considering today's system of ski pools and racer contracts, this is a record likely never to be beaten.

 

Swix also entered the age of the composites. The composite cross-country ski pole production proved that Swix technolo- gy was outstanding and could be transferred to other sport equipment. Most natural, we went into alpine pole production. Today these poles are highly advanced products having shape and material strength only dreamed of in years past.

 

Swix's involvement in the clothing industry started with a ... Keep Reading


 
To see the beginning of the story, Click Here or Part 1 of 3 in the August Carpe Skiem or Click Here for Part 2 of 3 in the September. Scroll down to "Swix Corner."
 
 
 


Next Event 

 

Birkie Tour - Sunday, January 18th, 2015  

Join us for a fun-filled weekend on the beautiful Birkie Trail.

 

  

Saturday: Seeley Hills Classic 42K or 22K

Sunday: Birkie Tour 44K or 26K              

  
Skier Development

ABSF Congratulates 16 Skier Development Groups!

 

The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation received an unprecedented 38 grant requests for the 2014-2015 season, totaling close to $100,000 in requests.  All applicants presented programs that have a lot of merit, making it the toughest decision year yet for our grant committee.  Our $20,000 budget truly does not go far enough!  To date, the ABSF has given over $375,000 in youth and adult skier development grants.

To see the organizations and programs who were selected to receive Birkie grants, click HERE.

Annie's Angle

Annie's Angle: Nutrition

 

Athletes spend hours perfecting technique, enhancing fitness, and preventing injury through proper training. This year I will spend 650 hours training. Despite the increased load in training, I am still only actively training for roughly 7% of this year. Yet, I consider skiing to be a "full-time" commitment. Full time skiing doesn't necessarily mean you are doing it professionally- it means you are dedicated to the sport with a commitment and drive to improve.

 

To be a skier, a lot more goes into your performance than active "on time." For this month's Carpe Skiem article, I am going to focus on the importance of nutrition. 

                                                  Click Here to Continue Reading 


Annie Hart is the Ambassador of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation
New Moon

New Moon Is Back as Birkie Gold-Level Sponsor! 

See how New Moon Ski & Bike Shop right in Hayward, WI, can help you get ready for all that snow that's just around the corner!

 

Click Here for Newsletter and Get: 

 

  • 2014-2015 FREE New Moon XC Ski Catalog - Coming November 1st!

  • FAT Bike Rentals And Demo Bike Sale

  • Grind Those Skis Early

  • Meet biathlete Andie Mayo-New Addition to the New Moon Family

  • October Is Rollerski Month-Lessons Anyone?

  • Get New Moon's Free Newsletter

  
 

WI Nordic Development

ABSF to be Title Sponsor for Wisconsin High School State Meet

 

The Wisconsin Nordic Development Group (WNDG) and the ABSF are pleased to announce the sponsorship of the Wisconsin state high school nordic

ski meet on February 7th and 8th, 2015 on the historic Telemark trail

systen in Cable, Wisconsin. 

"We couldn't be happier having the ABSF on board with our state meet"

commented Sandra Bolger, President of WNDG, this year's organizing

group for the high school and middle school event.  " We look at our

350 to 400 entrants in the event as future Birkebeiner and Kortelopet

skiers".   It's a great partnership." said Bolger. 

Last years state meet event was also held on the Telemark property

with outstanding results.  This year promises to be bigger and better.

For more information relating to the Wisconsin state ski meet,

interested parties can contact Wisconsin Nordic Ski League President

Jake Barnes at [email protected].

 

Win Stuff from Gear West & Craft!

 

Train, Share, and Win!
Including an Entry to the 2015 Birkie!

Share your training goals, progress, pictures, and stories with us.
From October 12 through November 29
 

Get creative. We want to see pictures, poems, the tough, and the fun! Inspire others and register to win! All participants receive 15% off any Craft base layer purchase, one lucky winner each week will receive a code good for $20.00 off any Craft purchase, and all participants are automatically entered into our grand prize drawing to win one of the following: free entry to the 2015 American Birkebeiner, a Craft training jacket and pants, a Craft accessory package, or a $25 Gear West gift card.

Click Here for Info

 

Concept2

Another Good Reason to Ski Inside

 


 

An important aspect of training for competitive skiers is to have a system of measuring progress. How else can you really know what you are gaining from your workouts, and whether your training plan is working? Common metrics include running or rollerskiing time trials, physiological testing, lactate testing, and strength testing. Some of these are more specific to skiing than others-and some aren't readily available. With the Concept2 SkiErg, coaches and skiers can add a new, reliable and highly specific tool for ...         Keep Reading                      

 

 

 

Skiers of Tomorrow

MYSL - Building the Birkie Skiers of Tomorrow!

Minnesota Youth Ski League - Pointing to the Future

The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is excited to partner with the Minnesota Youth Ski League in the first ever Birkie Bash MYSL Fundraiser!  Join MYSL Executive Director Amy Cichanowski and Birkie Executive Director Ben Popp on Sunday, November 2nd as MYSL unveils new programming for young adults, rebranding of their club programs, and an all new website!  In addition, Ben will share all the latest news from Birkie-land, including details of our first-ever capital fundraising campaign that will secure a permanent start for the Birkie and re-create Tony Wise's iconic International Bridge.  Evening festivities will include a social hour, dinner from Birchwood Caf�, music, a silent auction (including a Birkie Trail Grooming Adventure!), and lots of great company!  100% of the proceeds from the evening will go directly to support MYSL programming.
 

Learn more and get your tickets HERE!

Birchleggings Club News

Birchleggings Club News

 

Order your Birchleggings Club Clothing by Nov 1, 2014! 

Birchlegger clothing is back ! We are excited to offer Sporthill jackets and Sporthill ski pants, as well as high quality cotton T-shirts, great ski hats and ballcaps. And, new this year, through Mt Borah Teamwear, you can order Birchlegger one-piece and two-piece racing suits. Order information and downloadable order form at birchleggings.com. Order deadline is November 1, 2014.

 

Birchleggings Club Annual Meeting Oct 19, 2014

The Birchleggings Club Inc annual meeting will be held at Tower Ridge Rec Area in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on Sunday, Oct 19, 2014 at 1 pm. All members are welcome to attend. Directions and a map to the meeting are posted on the Birchleggings website.

 

More vendors with discounts for Birchlegging Club members 

Spring Street Sports in Chippewa Falls and Out There Nordic Sports in Rice Lake have joined New Moon, Riverbrook and Outdoor Ventures in Hayward to offer discounts to card-carrying Birchlegger members, on ski-related gear. (Eligible merchandise and discount amount vary by store.) 

 

JDRF

      

 

 

Birkie Skiers for Cures Partners with JDRF!

 

The American Birkebeiner, through its "Birkie Skiers for Cures" program, is proud to continue its charitable partnership with JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. JDRF's goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people's lives until we achieve a world without T1D. Through the Birkie Skiers for Cures program, JDRF raised $120,000 to support promising research across the globe.

 

Erin's Story


By Erin Sterk, Kortelopet Skier and high school senior, living with T1D since 1999

 

Living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a lot like getting ready for Birkie weekend...it takes the right attitude, knowing how it all works, support from people around you, and focus and commitment for the long haul. I was diagnosed with T1D before I was two years old. My body stopped making ...                                                                          Keep Reading  

 

 Click Here to Learn How You Can Ski for a Cure 

Birkie Fever

 

Ethan McGraw-Holland, MI

 

"Thank you for such a wonderful event. This year, 2014, was my first Birkie experience, and it was fantastic. I have been wanting to do this race since 1985. The poster from that year hung on my wall for many years (tough to do the race when your 9, man that makes me feel old). I went on to ski competitively for many years (Nordic combined) but never got to the Birkie. So all these years and many pounds later I toed the start line and completed what was the hardest race I have ever finished.  It took much longer than I planned but again, it took me 29 years to get to the start line.  As I skied the last bit down Main Street with a tear in my eye, I thought about 29 years filled with heartbreak, uncertainty, struggle, regret, hope, accomplishment and realized I was skiing toward home. This is something I will never forget. There must be something in the water because I have the fever; I'll be back for round two in 2015. Please thank all your coworkers and volunteers for a job well done. It is much more than a ski race for some of us."

 


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ABSF
American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation

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--sponsored by SWIX, the Birkie has grown into an exciting array of fitness and recreational opportunities. The 107-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 . BIKE . LIVE!