December 15, 2006 (Hayward, WI) -The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF), host of the largest cross-country ski race in North America, and the Komen Foundation, host of the Race for the Cure® events held throughout the United States with more than 1.4 million participants a year, are launching the Ski For the Cure II program to raise funds in the fight against breast cancer.

Women and men across the country can support the Minnesota and Wisconsin Affiliates of the Komen Foundation by participating in the new program. Donations collected by skiers will fund breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment.

Ned Zuelsdorff, Executive Director of the ABSF, said he’s excited about the continued collaboration.

“The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation both promote health and wellness for women of all ages,” Zuelsdorff said. “That’s why continued collaboration between the two organizations is a natural fit.”

More than $38,000 was raised during the inaugural Ski for the Cure in 2006, and Zuelsdorff said the 118 participants and hundreds of donors overwhelmingly supported continuation of the program.

“This is a great opportunity for women and men to support the leading Foundation devoted to eradicating breast cancer and to showcase her/his own commitment to health and wellness by training for and participating in this ski event,” Zuelsdorff said. “Whether participating on a competitive or non-competitive level, participants boost their own fitness level, contribute to an important cause, and have a whole lot of fun in the process. It’s empowering and a win-win situation all the way around.”

Zuelsdorff said participating in the Ski for the Cure II program is simple. Donors register for the race or ski event of their choice: the 51 kilometer Subaru American Birkebeiner, the 23 kilometer Kortelopet sponsored by the State Bank of Drummond/Cable Chamber of Commerce, or the 12 kilometer Johnson Bank Prince Haakon. All are held Saturday, February 24, 2007 in Cable and Hayward, Wis.

Donor/skiers voluntarily collect pledges and raise funds for the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Donations will be collected by the skier prior to the race and delivered to the ABSF at race registration/bib pickup. All donations must be turned in by Saturday, February 24, 2007.

Participants will receive a pink ribbon pin with their race bibs and will designate which of the Madison, Milwaukee, Brainerd Lakes or Minnesota (based in Minneapolis) Affiliate(s) will receive their donation. The ABSF will send the donations to the chapter designated by the skier.

Pink bibs will be provided to skiers who identify themselves to the Birkie office by January 15, 2007 as breast cancer survivors.

The participating skier who raises the most money will reap the benefits: free entry into the 2008 American Birkebeiner race of their choice and free lodging at a premier bed & breakfast inn in the Hayward area. All skiers raising pledges of $100 or more will be part of a random drawing for a second similar prize. Various awards will be given to all skiers raising pledges at or above specific amounts.

Gail Sklodowska, member of the Communication & Education Committees of the Susan G. Komen Milwaukee Affiliate, said they are thrilled to once again be partnering with the ABSF for the Ski for the Cure II program.

“This is a wonderful partnership that increases the awareness and funding for the fight against breast cancer,” she said. “We believe in the power of the individual to change the dismal statistics that one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes and one woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes in the United States. The Ski for the Cure program gives supporters another way to make a difference while helping all of us to live healthy and productive lives.”

Birkie 2007 festivities begin on Thursday, February 22 and continue through Saturday, February 24. In addition to the 51 kilometer Subaru American Birkebeiner, the 23 kilometer Kortelopet sponsored by the State Bank of Drummond and Cable Area Chamber of Commerce, and the 12 kilometer Johnson Bank Prince Haakon, Birkie 2007 features welcoming ceremonies; health, nutrition, fitness, equipment and training seminars; ski expo and on-snow demonstrations; pasta feeds; awards ceremonies; and post-race parties and music. For the 9,000 participants and 15,000 spectators. Birkie festivities take place at Telemark Resort in Cable and on Main Street in Hayward.

The American Birkebeiner is part of the esteemed Worldloppet series of 14 international races, part of the International Ski Federation (FIS) Marathon Cup series of eight races, and part of the American Ski Marathon series of 11 races.

For more information about North America’s largest cross country ski race or to register for the Subaru American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet sponsored by the State Bank of Drummond and Cable Chamber of Commerce, 12K Johnson Bank Prince Haakon, CenturyTel Junior Birkie, Sons of Norway/Swiss Miss Barnebirkie, Cheqtel 5K/10K Race for Families, Salomon Elite Sprints, and the Ski for the Cure II, log on to www.birkie.com, email birkie@birkie.com or call 715-634-5025.

About the Birkie
Celebrating its 34th year, the American Birkebeiner (1-800-USA-BRKE; www.birkie.com), February 22-24, 2007, is North America’s largest and most prestigious cross-country ski marathon. Spanning 51 kilometers from Cable to Hayward, the Birkie is one of 14 races in the Worldloppet international circuit, part of the American Ski Marathon series of 14 races, and part of the lives of citizen skiers from all walks of life and from around the world. Sponsors of Birkie 2007 include Subaru, State Bank of Drummond, Cable Chamber of Commerce, Johnson Bank, Superior Publishing and other businesses throughout the region and country.