November 16, 2005 – Registrations are climbing for the 33rd annual American Birkebeiner cross-country ski race slated Saturday, February 25, 2006.

In addition to the 51 kilometer Subaru American Birkebeiner and 23 kilometer Kortelopet sponsored by the State Bank of Drummond and Cable Chamber of Commerce, Birkie 2006 feature three days of races, events and festivities for:

. men, women, teens and kids
. families
. the super fit
. the super enthusiastic
. those vowing to get in shape in 2006
. those wanting pure and simple recreation
. those wanting to meet like-minded fitness buffs
. those wanting challenge, excitement and fun!
Birkie 2006 festivities begin on Thursday, February 23 and continue through Saturday, February 25.

Ski events kick off on Thursday with the worldís fastest skiers racing head to head in the Salomon Elite Sprints followed by children, ages 3-13, emulating the masters in the Sons of Norway/Swiss Miss Barnebirkie, the largest children’s cross-country skiing event in the nation.

On Friday, kids, families and citizen skiers get a piece of the action during the Century Tel Junior Birkie, Hayward Chamber of Commerce Citizen Sprints, Cheqtel 5K/10K, and the Childrenís Snowshoe Nature Hike.

Ski events culminate on Saturday with the race of all races, the 51K Subaru American Birkebeiner, the 23K Kortelopet sponsored by State Bank of Drummond and Cable Chamber of Commerce, and the 12K Johnson Bank Prince Haakon.

ìWeíre excited about the number and variety of races and events for skiers of all ages and fitness levels,î said Ned Zuelsdorff, Executive Director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF). ìOur goal is to foster participation in the overall event, Thatís why weíve created something for everyone. I want more people on the snow and enjoying the weekend.î

Itíll be a weekend that commemorates the 800th anniversary of the rescue of the infant Prince Haakon by the Birkebeiners, the two Viking soldiers who carried the infant prince and future King of Norway to safety.

ìThe rescue is the basis for the event itself, and weíll have two Vikings on the trail to commemorate the roots of the race,î Zuelsdorff said.

Ken Furst, a skier and descendant of Prince Haakon, will be on the trail skiing his third Birkie.

According to Furst, his mother traced the family back 25 generations to Haakon IV and was able to go back several hundred years further.

He said his mother visited Lillehammer, Norway and met relatives who showed her where the ancestral farm stood. These links really brought life to the story of the rescue of the baby prince for Furst and will likely motivate him as he skis the undulating and challenging terrain on race day.

The 33rd American Birkebeiner is expected to attract 6,500 adult skiers, including Olympians, 1,500 children, and more than 15,000 spectators.

In addition to ski events for all ages and fitness levels, Birkie 2006 highlights include 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.
The American Birkebeiner is North America’s largest and most prestigious
cross-country ski marathon. Spanning 51 kilometers from Cable to Hayward,
the Birkie 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 14 races.

For more information or to register for the 2006 Subaru American
Birkebeiner, Kortelopet sponsored by the State Bank of Drummond and Cable
Chamber of Commerce, Johnson Bank Prince Haakon 12K, Salomon Elite Sprints, Hayward Chamber of Commerce Citizen Sprints, Century Tel Junior Birkie, Cheqtel 5K/10K, Ski for the Cure! program, or the Sons of Norway/Swiss Miss Barnebirkie, call 715-634-5025, e-mail birkie@birkie.com, or log on to www.birkie.com <http://www.birkie.com> .

Birkie 2006 is sponsored by Subaru, State Bank of Drummond, Cable Chamber of
Commerce, Johnson Bank, Polartec, Murphy McGinnis Media and other businesses
throughout the region and country.