February 15, 2006 (Hayward, Wisconsin) – The countdown is on for 9,000 skiers, 2,000 volunteers, 15,000 spectators and organizers of the 33rd annual American Birkebeiner cross-country ski race.
They’ll all descend on the 4,100 residents of Cable and Hayward, Wisconsin, for Birkie 2006 festivities beginning Thursday, Feb. 23 and culminating with the race of all races, the 51-kilometer Subaru American Birkebeiner and 23-kilometer Kortelopet sponsored by the State Bank of Drummond and Cable Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, Feb. 25.
And they’ll be welcomed by some of the best snow conditions in years.
“The trail base, the lake ice, and the snow supply for Main Street have not been this good in eight years,†said Bill Pierce, President of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation Board of Directors. “The trail base ranges from six to nine inches of hard pack snow, and lake ice conditions range from 10 to 14 inches. We’re tilling and grooming the trail three times per week, and the trail on the ice is being packed on an every other day schedule. We’re preparing for a 51 kilometer race with a Main Street finish.â€
Ned Zuelsdorff, Executive Director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation, said registrations for the 51K race are 280 skiers ahead of last year.
“As of February 13, we have a total of 5,940 skiers registered — 4,300 for the 51K Subaru American Birkebeiner, 1,560 for the 23K Kortelopet sponsored by State Bank of Drummond and Cable Chamber of Commerce, and 80 for the Johnson Bank Prince Haakon 12K event,†he said.
“We also have close to 1,000 kids registered for the Sons of Norway/Swiss Miss Barnebirkie for kids ages 3-13, nearly 400 teens registered for the CenturyTel Junior Birkie, and close to 100 registered for the Cheqtel 5 and 10K events. In all, we are estimating we’ll have 9,000 participants in Birkie 2006 races and events.â€
Zuelsdorff said the atmosphere is charged with excitement.
“Volunteers and staff are in high gear organizing awards and planning food and staffing for the 11 aid stations along the Birkie course, the groomers are preparing the trail, and we’re working with Governor Jim Doyle’s office to work out final details for his role as official race starter,†he said.
As official race starter, Governor Doyle will welcome the diverse gathering of cultures from around the world, count down to the starting gun, and send the 6,500 Birkie and Kortelopet skiers on their personal ski odyssey.
Skiers from 19 countries and 49 U.S. states participate in the American Birkebeiner. Aside from the United States, the top five countries represented are Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Norway and Russia. The top five U.S. states include Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan and Colorado.
Participation in the Birkie and Kortelopet breaks down to 76 percent men and 24 percent women with 6 percent between the ages of 18-24; 42 percent between the ages of 25 to 39; 50 percent between ages 40 to 59; and 2 percent between the ages of 60 to 80.
Among those skiers will be defending 2005 Birkie champions Marco Cattaneo and Lara Peyrot, both of Italy.
Skiers interested in registering for the American Birkebeiner or Kortelopet can do so until Friday, February 24 at 8 p.m. at Telemark Resort in Cable, Wisc.
To register for Birkie races and events or for more information, call 715-634-5025, e-mail birkie@birkie.com, or log on to www.birkie.com.
Birkie 2006 is sponsored by Subaru, State Bank of Drummond, Cable Chamber of Commerce, Johnson Bank, Superior Publishing and other businesses throughout the region and country.