August 09, 2011 (Bloomer, Wisconsin) – David Landgraf, well known in the cross country ski community as a “Founder of the American Birkebeiner” died Monday afternoon, August 8, from injuries he suffered when a car hit him while he biked on Hwy. 27 south of Hayward, WI.

As a Founder of the American Birkebeiner, Dave Landgraf, age 62, was one of only three of the original 35 skiers of the event to have skied every one of the American Birkebeiner races for 38 years. An accomplished athlete and elite skier, Dave consistently finished in the top 200 men, with a 2011 finish time of 2:43. Dave has many US Master’s National Championship titles to his credit as well and also competed internationally.

“He was an amazing person and part of the very fabric of the Birkie,” says Ned Zuelsdorff, Executive Director of the American Birkebeiner. “To see Dave in that lone, red Founder’s bib, coming across the finish line with men many years his junior, is just a testament to Dave’s spirit as a person and an athlete. He represented something very special to so many skiers.

“On behalf of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation, we all extend our thoughts, prayers, and condolences to Dave’s family. He was a cherished part of our Birkie family and the cross country skiing community.”

Dave was a retired physical education teacher at Bloomer Middle School, WI. In addition to being a passionate skier, biker, and runner, Dave gave much back to the cross country ski community. He helped coach dozens of youngsters and adults over four decades of Nordic skiing and was instrumental in the development of the Hickory Ridge Ski Trails near his home in Bloomer, WI.

A celebration of Dave’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 13, at the Bloomer Middle School Gym in Bloomer, WI, with lunch following in the cafeteria. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Bank Mutual in Bloomer for the Bloomer Track Program or Ski Strong, or to the Chippewa Valley United Way.

SkiTrax joins the entire xc ski community in sending condolences to David’s family, friends and colleagues.