March 22, 2007 – The original Birkebeiner in Norway was cancelled due to strong winds over the weekend that ended up blowing away two of Norway’s most traditional winter sports events.

The Birkebeiner, a 54-kilometer (32-mile) race that runs from Rena, in the eastern valley of Østerdalen, to Lillehammer, ended just as it began on Saturday morning, when organizers decided that winds were too strong over its mountain segment.

It was the first time the race had been cancelled in more than 60 years leaving 13,000 participants disappointed and stranded. Unpredictable weather is causing serious concerns about the country’s future as a winter sports capital.

Click here for the full story.