October 10, 2008 – Yes, that Bjorn! It is official, Bjorn Daehlie, the Norwegian cross-country skiing legend of the 90’s who won 12 Olympic medals, eight of them gold, will ski the 2009 Birkie as an Ambassador for Multiple Sclerosis Research. Despite retiring from the Nordic race circuit in 1999, at only 32 years of age, Bjorn Daehlie has always remained close to the Nordic skiing world.

He is proud of almost always ending up “on page 1 of the placement list” as he likes to emphasize, adding that, “it’s important for me to stay close to the Nordic skiing world, which gave me the opportunity to be what I am.” The list of his skiing awards is huge: eight Olympic golds, four silvers, six time winner of the World Cup, with 17 medals, nine of which are gold in World Cup competitions.

Bjorn’s mother has suffered from MS for several years and raising needed funds for MS Research is important to him. MS will be the sole focus of our 2009 Birkie Skiers for Cures effort. Persons raising the highest amount of donations will have the opportunity to meet, have lunch and ski with Bjorn during Birkie week.

This was all made possible through the efforts of Birchlegger Ian Duncan, a neuroscientist at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, whose research involves the repair of the nervous system in MS patients. More details will follow in the near future.