October 2, 2003 (Hayward, WI) – After 20 years of sending scores of skiers from the starting gates of North America's largest cross-country ski race, the “Voice of the Birkie” is giving it a rest. John Schmitt, St. Paul, is retiring his loquacious, warm, enthusiastic baritone to join the ranks of skiers for one last Birkie.

Schmitt began his stint as announcer of the American Birkebeiner ski race in Cable and Hayward, Wisconsin, after his wife Mary Lou competed in the event in 1977. A die-hard downhill skier, John razzed his wife about doing “that wimpy loppet”… until he joined her on the race course.

John quickly got hooked on the energy of the 51k race and deleted “that wimpy loppet” phrase from his vocabulary. He skied two Birkies, then got involved as a sky diver in opening ceremonies. When someone asked him to announce the sky diving portion of the program, he quickly agreed. His enthusiasm so charged the spectators that he was asked if he'd announce additional events including opening ceremonies, the Barnebirkie kid's race, the sprints and the start and finish of the Birkie and Kortelopet.

“I said sure,” Schmitt remembers. “I really didn't know what I was getting into.”

What he got into was an incredible 20 years interacting with skiers, Birkie officials, technical delegates, spotters, and Mother Nature. He became known as the “Voice of the Birkie” to the half-million people he spoke to during annual Birkie festivities. During the 20 years he announced, more than 200,000 skiers and 300,000 spectators were warmed by his cheerful summary of weather and course conditions, his trademark “yee haw” as he sent wave after wave of skiers on their trek through the Wisconsin north woods, and his enthusiastic response as skiers crossed the finish line.

“I got so excited and so enthusiastic, I just couldn't stop,” Schmitt said.

John says the opportunity to be involved with the Birkie in such a big way has been a surreal experience that just came out of the blue and was nothing short of magnificent. His clear blue eyes take you along his 20-year journey as he recounts the memories that blend together. You can visualize him methodically organizing spotters, announcers, cannon sounders, flag wavers, anthem singers and the myriad others involved at the start and finish lines.

You can almost hear his voice chatting and stroking waves of skiers ready to launch individual attacks on the Birkie trail. You can feel his enthusiasm when the crowd responds with their own hoots and hollars, and you can see his sense of accomplishment when the day is done and his job of making every last skier feel special has been more than successful.

Quick with a handshake and smile, Schmitt learned tidbits of 10 languages and was meticulous in correct pronunciation of each. In addition to his trademark “yee haw” at wave starts, John was known for welcoming and congratulating international skiers in their native tongue. Whether English, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, German, Italian, French, Russian, Japanese, or Estonian, John had a gift for connecting with skiers.

“My major objective at the start of every race was to make people feel welcome, ease their tension, and thank them on behalf of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation for being there and making the race what it is,” he says. “I wanted every person in every wave, whether one or 13, to feel special. I tried to make them realize and feel that they are an integral part of the race. At the finish line, I tried to get as many names announced as possible. When I wasn't announcing, I stood at the finish line and welcomed skiers in or talked to people waiting for their bus. I just couldn't get enough.”

This tireless ambassador didn't get much rest Birkie week. In the days leading up to the event, he was meeting with race officials, organizing logistical details, and connecting with the ski community. By race day he was going on adrenaline, but seeing people smile and having a good time was the payoff that kept him going.

During his 20 years as announcer John saw everything from wooden skis treated with pine tar to the indoctrination of skating, from knee socks and knickers to the introduction of skinny racing suits, from frigid weather to rain and race cancellation.

He also saw the tender side of the race when skiers carried a loved one's ashes or skied in memory of someone or held themselves back to be with a new or slower skier. He graciously shared the microphone with family and friends who wanted to wish someone well in their Birkie or Kortelopet endeavor. He worked hard to reduce pre-race jitters, and, according to Director of Race Operations Shellie Milford, did that and more.

“John radiates enthusiasm,” she said. “His quick step, the twinkle in his eye, his strong handshake and especially the dynamic way his voice epitomizes Birkie Fever.”

Board member Tom Duffy said Schmitt is a wonderful ambassador for the Birkie and the sport of cross-country skiing.

“He is one of the guys who lived the Birkie throughout the year,”Duffy said. “He would stop in the summer and fall to talk about the race and find out what was new. He would speak at other races. People knew his voice around the country.”

Mary Lou Schmitt, who has completed every Birkie since 1977, recounts an experience in Moab, Utah, where she and John were biking. “Someone heard John speak and said, “I know you! You're the voice of the Birkie.” he said similar interactions happened again and again.

The Voice of the Birkie is known oversees as well. He's spoken at 12 of the 14 international races that make up the Worldloppet race circuit.

“It's an honor to represent the American Birkebeiner at other Worldloppet races and to speak to skiers in their native language,” Schmitt said. “I say a few words then tell skiers we have a tradition in the U.S. that the race does not start until they hear the yee haw. I say it to them, they cheer.”

During Birkie 2004 John and Mary Lou will complete one final Birkie before moving on to spend the winter months in Winter Park, Colorado. They'll start in Wave Three, having earned that right and the title of “World Master” by completing 12 of the 14 Worldloppet races.

No doubt John's gregarious nature and voice will sparkle all day like the sun reflecting off the snow-covered Pines. No doubt he'll be encouraging skiers to finish their race strong and proud. No doubt he'll savor every last minute along the Birkie trail.

And what about the new Voice of the Birkie? Greg Fangel will take to the podium to carry on the traditions of the race, make every last skier feel special, and keep spectators informed of the day's events. Greg has completed eight Birkies and one Kortelopet, lives in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and has a passion for the American Birkebeiner and cross country skiing.