January 9, 2007 – Greetings from the Birkie

Hi Birkie Skiers and Friends!

Less than 50 days to the 2007 Birkie! No, the weather does not have us in a panic. While conditions are far from excellent, the trail was very skiable this past week, especially at “OO”. We have a great grooming crew and the equipment to help keep whatever snow falls. You all know that snow amounts in recent years don’t seem to be what we all remember from the past. The reality is that we did not have good snow here last year until January 1. Yet it then came and we had a great race and the trail was excellent until almost April. We’ve had full 51K races in each of the last four years (2003-2006), a 46.7K race in 2002, and a 51K race in 2001.

We have time and continue to prepare for a full race. We do, as always, have contingency plans to address poor ice conditions on the lake and low snow conditions on the trail. We know that you continue to prepare, whether it means driving to snow or roller skiing, running or whatever else helps keep you prepared. So, join with us and be positive, think snow, and stay ready. The odds are in favor of having good conditions on race day.

Stay fit!

Ned Zuelsdorff
Executive Director

Birkie News

Participants Around the World Get Ready to Ski the Birkie®

They come in all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life. Some have done it dozens of times while others are embarking on their first long-distance ski journey. Some come to compete against themselves. Others simply want to mark it off their “to do” list. They’re cross country skiers and they’re gearing up for the 34th annual American Birkebeiner. Click here for the rest of the story.

Will You Ski for the Cure at Birkie 2007?


Are you ready to Ski for the Cure and raise funds in the fight against breast cancer? More than $38,000 was raised during the inaugural Ski for the Cure in 2006 by 118 participants and hundreds of donors who overwhelmingly supported continuation of the program. Will you be part of it in 2007? Click here to find out how you can get fit and support the Komen Foundation, the leading Foundation devoted to eradicating breast cancer.

Breast cancer survivors: Please let us know by January 15 whether you are skiing the race and and want to wear a pink race bib to show you are a survivor .


Birkie 2007 Seminars Feature Experts & Motivators

Healthy bodies; healthy trail; healthy world. That’s the focus of the American Birkebeiner’s 2007 Seminars at Telemark Resort on February 22 and 23. In addition to on-snow demos and the 2007 Expo, you’ll have an opportunity to meet with and be inspired by people tuned into your fitness and life interests and challenges. Watch as details unfold.


Join Us For Birkie Trail Dedication

Mark your calendar for the new Classic Trail dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony on Sunday, January 14. We’ll meet at the North End Cabin on Randysek Road (south of Cable) at 11 a.m. It’s the same weekend as the Seeley Classic Race and a perfect weekend to celebrate cross country skiing. Do join us!


Travel the Birkie Trail With 2004 Skiers

Birkie and Kortelopet skier Ben Sheesley and co-author Jeff Stone of Madison, Wis., won an award at the University of Wisconsin–Madison for design of a an interactive map of the Birkie Trail that depicts skier travel during the 2004 Birkie race. The map allows you to watch the first, median and final skiers’ progress and time from each wave from start to finish. You can click on either the “Normal” or “Synchronized” mode to view the waves going off at comparable intervals, of have them synchronized to start all skiers as the same time. You can also watch all three skiers from each of the waves or highlight one group at a time. View it here here.

Ben now works for AxisMaps, Madison, a company that specializes in print and interactive cartography. They recently produced an interactive map for the 2006 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. Our thanks to Ben and Jeff for allowing us to share the 2004 Birkie race map with you.

Birkie 2007 Race Day Bussing Update

Skiers will be dropped off near Telemark Lodge and will have the opportunity to stop in the Lodge before walking to the start line. There will no bussing from the Lodge to the start line. Be sure to plan your arrival time to allow for the walk to the start.


Birkie 2007 Race Day Bib Pick-Up

Race morning bib pick-up will be in the Red Arrow Room in Telemark Lodge from 6:30 – 9 a.m. There will be no bib pick-up at the startline.

Birkie Goes Green with Biodiesel-Powered Equipment

As the snow falls, we’re pulling out our new biodiesel-powered trail grooming equipment and new 4-stroke grooming snowmobile which burn cleaner and endorse our commitment to sustainability and a healthier world. Officials from Great Lakes BioFuels (Madison) and WRR Environmental Services (Eau Claire) have teamed up to provide the fuel for trail maintenance as well as winter trail grooming.


Birkie Fever: The Challenge & Adventure of My First Birkie

by Neil Klein

I put skis on for the first time in my life back in November with the idea that I would someday attempt to take the challenge and ski the adventure. I immediately fell in love with skate skiing and became somewhat obsessed with training and technique to the extent that I signed up for and completed my first Birkie this past year. I thought the expedited training was hard; I had no idea what I was in for. Between the 10k and 11k markers, around a wicked turn, I fell and not only bruised my knee, but also dislocated my left shoulder (reoccurrence of an old football injury). After getting helped up and off the course, I was able to get my shoulder back in but I figured I was done and was feeling pretty devastated. However, after several minutes and a few Motrins I decided to give it another try with a somewhat modified V1 and Single Stick/Pole combination. Suffice to say the last 40k was both a challenge and an adventure (as promised!), but well worth it as I crossed the finish line. Of course it goes without saying that the volunteers were fabulous.


What’s your Birkie story? Email your 300 word essay and digital photo (jpg) to leslie@birkie.com.


New Birkie Sponsors
Polaris Industries has generously donated a Polaris Ranger work vehicle to the Birkie which will greatly assist our trail maintenance activities. The 6×6 Ranger will be on display at this year’s Skier Expo. Our thanks to Polaris.

SportHill produces high performance clothing for both runners and cross country skiers. They have developed our Birkie technical tops which are available here. The comfortable, breathable tops serve as a great first layer in the winter and running top during the rest of the year.

Thule USA produces a variety of car top and rear carriers for the skis, bikes and watercraft that Birkie skiers cherish.


Historic Highlights

Birkie II – 1974

Race Champions

Birkebeiner 50K

Dave Quinn, USA 2:59:47
Jacque Lindskoog*, USA 4:53:30

Kortelopet 24K

Duncan McLean, USA 1:06:50
Frances Wise, USA 1:35:45

Entrants

98

Race Summary

The temperature was a brisk -13F.
The number of competitors almost doubled at 98.
Busing of participants from Telemark to Hayward and the clothing pick-up became a part of Birkie tradition in the second year.
*Jacque Lindskoog was the unofficial winner in the women’s field.
Because there was no women’s class, she entered the men’s class.

Click here to view more Historic Highlights


Training Tips

Power Up for Race Day

Birkie 2007 is just 45 days away. Skiers are working out on the ski trails, in health clubs, at home, on the road. As you get ready for race day, here’s a summary of some of the great training tips experts have provided during the past year. Click here to read the full story.

Want More Training Tips?

Click here for additional training tips from coaches, psychologists, nutritionists and motivational gurus.

What’s Next?

Register Today for the 34th American Birkebeiner®: Feb. 22-24, 2007!

From the Barnebirkie to the Birkebeiner, this citizen’s ski race features something for everyone. Register today for the Subaru American Birkebeiner, State Bank of Drummond/Cable Area Chamber of Commerce Kortelopet, Johnson Bank Prince Haakon 12K, Salomon Elite Sprints, Century Tel Junior Birkie, Cheqtel 5K and 10K, the Sons of Norway/Swiss Miss Barnebirkie, and the Ski for the Cure! Call 715-634-5025, e-mail birkie@birkie.com, or log on to www.birkie.com.


Register for New Collegiate Cup at Birkie 2007

Sign up and encourage your friends to register for the new Collegiate Cup at Birkie 2007. The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation and Lake Superior College in Duluth, Minnesota have collaborated to launch the new American Birkebeiner College Cup during Birkie 2007. Yes, Lake Superior College are the same people who offer you college credit for skiing the Birkie or Kortelopet. If you’re a college student or staff from an institution of higher learning, you are invited to participate in the new Collegiate Cup Challenge in either the 51K Birkie or the 23K Kortelopet. For more information and registration form, click here

Register Your Little Ones for Camp Birkie® for Kids

This year we are bringing back Camp Birkie for Kids on race day. Camp Birkie is an educational daycare for kids, Kindergarten through 6th grade which will be held from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. on race day, February 24, 2007, at the Cable Community Center. It is open to kids of skiers and friends. Camp Birkie is being put on through the joint efforts of Northland College and the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute in Ashland and the Conserve School in Land O’ Lakes, Wis. Cost is very reasonable, and this can provide you with the option of bringing your children along for the event weekend and giving them this opportunity for a great outdoor education experience. Find out more www.birkie.com
/registration or call us at 715.634.5025. We’re eager to hear from you!


Skiers Will Tell You
There’s Nothing Else
Like It!

“The Birkie has been a factor in my life since the first time I skied the trail in 1976. My philosophy is to do whatever we can do to foster participation in the overall event. I want more people on the snow and enjoying the weekend.”
~ Ned Zuelsdorff, Executive Director, Cable, WI


“Thanks so much for inviting Jimmy and me to be Birkebeiner soldiers. As I told Jimmy about 500 times over the weekend, this was my favorite Birkie ever. And not just for the honor of being soldiers, although that was incredibly fun. I sensed a qualitative difference to the race this year. It seemed as much a community celebration of friends and family and the great Wisconsin outdoors as it did a world-class competition. It was just fun to be out on the trail on a beautiful day with 7,000 pals having a great time. To be able to pull all that off is a tribute to you.”
~ Tom Vanden Brook, Arlington, VA


“Thank you to organizers, volunteers, and fellow racers. All in all the Birkie was an unforgettable experience.”
~ Mikko Paavonen, Helsinki, Finland


“It was an amazing experience! Thank you for everything you have done!”
~ Mary Krook, Duluth, MN


“Thank you, it was most enjoyable. Thanks to you and the many people who make it possible. This was my best Birkie/Korte experience by far.”
~ James Bolitho, Verona, WI


“Training for North America’s largest cross-country ski race helps me stay fit and young and was an important factor in helping me beat cancer during the 1980s.”
~ Barb Klippel, Hayward, WI


“Tony Wise asked me to design a good trail system at Telemark. I spent14 days there and laid out trails similar to the Vasalopet trails in Sweden. Later, Marty Hall added more hills. From the point of view of competitive skiers, it is a very good course.”
~ Sven Wiik, Nordic guru, Steamboat Springs, Colorado


“I still find it hard to believe I’ve skied 20 Birkies. My 20th was such a highlight. My daughter and husband made a banner congratulating me, I was wearing the purple bib and button showing it was my 20th race, and my daughter gave me 20 purple irises at the finish line.”
~ Kathy Bergin, Birkie skier, Cable, WI


“Great race. Well run as always. I’m hoping to do 20 more.”
~ Ken Muszynski, Palatine, IL


“As volunteers we witness the love and pride inherent in stories of fathers and daughters skiing their first Birkie together. Our hearts break when we retrieve the race bib of a recently deceased skier whose wife has driven all the way to Cable to claim what will be a cherished memento. We volunteers at the registration and help desk experience an entire Birkie universe playing out in a 10 square foot area of Telemark Lodge. Your race is our race, and in the final analysis, that’s what makes the Birkie unique.”
~ Anne Landre, Birkie volunteer, Milwaukee, WI


“I would like to personally thank all the volunteers and organizers for another fantastic event. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you,thank you, thank you,……um, I guess this isn’t going to work very well. But, anyway we’ll see you all next year!!!!”
~ Jeff Yue, Medina, MN

“Thanks!!!! You are a grrrrrrrrrrrrrreat team of fun, organized people – my favorite kind. I slept in the school Friday night and had a great time. Wonderful. Thanks for everything.”
~ Mary Margaret Anderson, Plymouth, MN

“It was a great Birkie…great conditions, great grooming, fast results, good beer.”
~ Jay Wenner, St Paul, MN


“I’ve not done the race in about 8 years and it sure was nice to come back. The volunteers, the course and the organization of the race are top notch. Thank you! “
~ Cheryl DuBois, North Oaks, MN

“I had a great time skiing the Birkie for the first time. The volunteers were terrific. Everything was well organized. I’m looking forward to skiing next year.”
~ Mike Gross, Hayward, WI

“As I get older I just want to stay healthy and keep competing. The energy of the day keeps me coming back year after year. Itï¿œs such a fun day with people you donï¿œt get to see on a daily basis. Friendships are developed and everyone is there to ski as well as they can and test themselves. It is very inspiring.”
~ Jeanine Evenson, Minneapolis

“The Birkie was a great experience. Thanks to your organization for putting on such a great event, everything was so very well done! I plan to ski again next year and encourage others to do the same.”
~ Paul Carlson, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

“Friendships are one of the greatest rewards for participating in the American Birkebeiner. Where else can a person count on seeing some of the same faces and a host of new faces from foreign countries all in the same day?”~ Laurie Landgraf, Bloomer, WI

“Thanks and great job to everyone involved in organizing this year’s Birkie.”
~ David Worley

“THANK YOU to all the people involved with the Birkie! To all the organizers, groomers, rest stop workers, road snow minders, start and finish workers, transport people, Spooner H.S. Ski team (waxing) and the Hayward community! It’s a first rate race and can’t wait till next year!!! “
~ Michael Rhoades, Fond Du Lac, WI

Carpe Skiem! is a monthly ezine for skiers who want to take the challenge, ski the adventure, and live the Birkie. Each issue features tips and resources to help skiers make the most of their race day experience. Carpe Skiem! is published monthly by the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. Please forward it to friends.

To subscribe or change your email address, please log on to www.birkie.com and click “Sign up for e-newsletter.”

January 9, 2007 – Greetings from the Birkie

Hi Birkie Skiers and Friends!

Less than 50 days to the 2007 Birkie! No, the weather does not have us in a panic. While conditions are far from excellent, the trail was very skiable this past week, especially at “OO”. We have a great grooming crew and the equipment to help keep whatever snow falls. You all know that snow amounts in recent years don’t seem to be what we all remember from the past. The reality is that we did not have good snow here last year until January 1. Yet it then came and we had a great race and the trail was excellent until almost April. We’ve had full 51K races in each of the last four years (2003-2006), a 46.7K race in 2002, and a 51K race in 2001.

We have time and continue to prepare for a full race. We do, as always, have contingency plans to address poor ice conditions on the lake and low snow conditions on the trail. We know that you continue to prepare, whether it means driving to snow or roller skiing, running or whatever else helps keep you prepared. So, join with us and be positive, think snow, and stay ready. The odds are in favor of having good conditions on race day.

Stay fit!

Ned Zuelsdorff
Executive Director

Birkie News

Participants Around the World Get Ready to Ski the Birkie®

They come in all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life. Some have done it dozens of times while others are embarking on their first long-distance ski journey. Some come to compete against themselves. Others simply want to mark it off their “to do” list. They’re cross country skiers and they’re gearing up for the 34th annual American Birkebeiner. Click here for the rest of the story.

Will You Ski for the Cure at Birkie 2007?


Are you ready to Ski for the Cure and raise funds in the fight against breast cancer? More than $38,000 was raised during the inaugural Ski for the Cure in 2006 by 118 participants and hundreds of donors who overwhelmingly supported continuation of the program. Will you be part of it in 2007? Click here to find out how you can get fit and support the Komen Foundation, the leading Foundation devoted to eradicating breast cancer.

Breast cancer survivors: Please let us know by January 15 whether you are skiing the race and and want to wear a pink race bib to show you are a survivor .


Birkie 2007 Seminars Feature Experts & Motivators

Healthy bodies; healthy trail; healthy world. That’s the focus of the American Birkebeiner’s 2007 Seminars at Telemark Resort on February 22 and 23. In addition to on-snow demos and the 2007 Expo, you’ll have an opportunity to meet with and be inspired by people tuned into your fitness and life interests and challenges. Watch as details unfold.


Join Us For Birkie Trail Dedication

Mark your calendar for the new Classic Trail dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony on Sunday, January 14. We’ll meet at the North End Cabin on Randysek Road (south of Cable) at 11 a.m. It’s the same weekend as the Seeley Classic Race and a perfect weekend to celebrate cross country skiing. Do join us!


Travel the Birkie Trail With 2004 Skiers

Birkie and Kortelopet skier Ben Sheesley and co-author Jeff Stone of Madison, Wis., won an award at the University of Wisconsin–Madison for design of a an interactive map of the Birkie Trail that depicts skier travel during the 2004 Birkie race. The map allows you to watch the first, median and final skiers’ progress and time from each wave from start to finish. You can click on either the “Normal” or “Synchronized” mode to view the waves going off at comparable intervals, of have them synchronized to start all skiers as the same time. You can also watch all three skiers from each of the waves or highlight one group at a time. View it here here.

Ben now works for AxisMaps, Madison, a company that specializes in print and interactive cartography. They recently produced an interactive map for the 2006 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. Our thanks to Ben and Jeff for allowing us to share the 2004 Birkie race map with you.

Birkie 2007 Race Day Bussing Update

Skiers will be dropped off near Telemark Lodge and will have the opportunity to stop in the Lodge before walking to the start line. There will no bussing from the Lodge to the start line. Be sure to plan your arrival time to allow for the walk to the start.


Birkie 2007 Race Day Bib Pick-Up

Race morning bib pick-up will be in the Red Arrow Room in Telemark Lodge from 6:30 – 9 a.m. There will be no bib pick-up at the startline.

Birkie Goes Green with Biodiesel-Powered Equipment

As the snow falls, we’re pulling out our new biodiesel-powered trail grooming equipment and new 4-stroke grooming snowmobile which burn cleaner and endorse our commitment to sustainability and a healthier world. Officials from Great Lakes BioFuels (Madison) and WRR Environmental Services (Eau Claire) have teamed up to provide the fuel for trail maintenance as well as winter trail grooming.


Birkie Fever: The Challenge & Adventure of My First Birkie

by Neil Klein

I put skis on for the first time in my life back in November with the idea that I would someday attempt to take the challenge and ski the adventure. I immediately fell in love with skate skiing and became somewhat obsessed with training and technique to the extent that I signed up for and completed my first Birkie this past year. I thought the expedited training was hard; I had no idea what I was in for. Between the 10k and 11k markers, around a wicked turn, I fell and not only bruised my knee, but also dislocated my left shoulder (reoccurrence of an old football injury). After getting helped up and off the course, I was able to get my shoulder back in but I figured I was done and was feeling pretty devastated. However, after several minutes and a few Motrins I decided to give it another try with a somewhat modified V1 and Single Stick/Pole combination. Suffice to say the last 40k was both a challenge and an adventure (as promised!), but well worth it as I crossed the finish line. Of course it goes without saying that the volunteers were fabulous.


What’s your Birkie story? Email your 300 word essay and digital photo (jpg) to leslie@birkie.com.


New Birkie Sponsors
Polaris Industries has generously donated a Polaris Ranger work vehicle to the Birkie which will greatly assist our trail maintenance activities. The 6×6 Ranger will be on display at this year’s Skier Expo. Our thanks to Polaris.

SportHill produces high performance clothing for both runners and cross country skiers. They have developed our Birkie technical tops which are available here. The comfortable, breathable tops serve as a great first layer in the winter and running top during the rest of the year.

Thule USA produces a variety of car top and rear carriers for the skis, bikes and watercraft that Birkie skiers cherish.


Historic Highlights

Birkie II – 1974

Race Champions

Birkebeiner 50K

Dave Quinn, USA 2:59:47
Jacque Lindskoog*, USA 4:53:30

Kortelopet 24K

Duncan McLean, USA 1:06:50
Frances Wise, USA 1:35:45

Entrants

98

Race Summary

The temperature was a brisk -13F.
The number of competitors almost doubled at 98.
Busing of participants from Telemark to Hayward and the clothing pick-up became a part of Birkie tradition in the second year.
*Jacque Lindskoog was the unofficial winner in the women’s field.
Because there was no women’s class, she entered the men’s class.

Click here to view more Historic Highlights


Training Tips

Power Up for Race Day

Birkie 2007 is just 45 days away. Skiers are working out on the ski trails, in health clubs, at home, on the road. As you get ready for race day, here’s a summary of some of the great training tips experts have provided during the past year. Click here to read the full story.

Want More Training Tips?

Click here for additional training tips from coaches, psychologists, nutritionists and motivational gurus.

What’s Next?

Register Today for the 34th American Birkebeiner®: Feb. 22-24, 2007!

From the Barnebirkie to the Birkebeiner, this citizen’s ski race features something for everyone. Register today for the Subaru American Birkebeiner, State Bank of Drummond/Cable Area Chamber of Commerce Kortelopet, Johnson Bank Prince Haakon 12K, Salomon Elite Sprints, Century Tel Junior Birkie, Cheqtel 5K and 10K, the Sons of Norway/Swiss Miss Barnebirkie, and the Ski for the Cure! Call 715-634-5025, e-mail birkie@birkie.com, or log on to www.birkie.com.


Register for New Collegiate Cup at Birkie 2007

Sign up and encourage your friends to register for the new Collegiate Cup at Birkie 2007. The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation and Lake Superior College in Duluth, Minnesota have collaborated to launch the new American Birkebeiner College Cup during Birkie 2007. Yes, Lake Superior College are the same people who offer you college credit for skiing the Birkie or Kortelopet. If you’re a college student or staff from an institution of higher learning, you are invited to participate in the new Collegiate Cup Challenge in either the 51K Birkie or the 23K Kortelopet. For more information and registration form, click here

Register Your Little Ones for Camp Birkie® for Kids

This year we are bringing back Camp Birkie for Kids on race day. Camp Birkie is an educational daycare for kids, Kindergarten through 6th grade which will be held from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. on race day, February 24, 2007, at the Cable Community Center. It is open to kids of skiers and friends. Camp Birkie is being put on through the joint efforts of Northland College and the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute in Ashland and the Conserve School in Land O’ Lakes, Wis. Cost is very reasonable, and this can provide you with the option of bringing your children along for the event weekend and giving them this opportunity for a great outdoor education experience. Find out more www.birkie.com
/registration or call us at 715.634.5025. We’re eager to hear from you!


Skiers Will Tell You
There’s Nothing Else
Like It!

“The Birkie has been a factor in my life since the first time I skied the trail in 1976. My philosophy is to do whatever we can do to foster participation in the overall event. I want more people on the snow and enjoying the weekend.”
~ Ned Zuelsdorff, Executive Director, Cable, WI


“Thanks so much for inviting Jimmy and me to be Birkebeiner soldiers. As I told Jimmy about 500 times over the weekend, this was my favorite Birkie ever. And not just for the honor of being soldiers, although that was incredibly fun. I sensed a qualitative difference to the race this year. It seemed as much a community celebration of friends and family and the great Wisconsin outdoors as it did a world-class competition. It was just fun to be out on the trail on a beautiful day with 7,000 pals having a great time. To be able to pull all that off is a tribute to you.”
~ Tom Vanden Brook, Arlington, VA


“Thank you to organizers, volunteers, and fellow racers. All in all the Birkie was an unforgettable experience.”
~ Mikko Paavonen, Helsinki, Finland


“It was an amazing experience! Thank you for everything you have done!”
~ Mary Krook, Duluth, MN


“Thank you, it was most enjoyable. Thanks to you and the many people who make it possible. This was my best Birkie/Korte experience by far.”
~ James Bolitho, Verona, WI


“Training for North America’s largest cross-country ski race helps me stay fit and young and was an important factor in helping me beat cancer during the 1980s.”
~ Barb Klippel, Hayward, WI


“Tony Wise asked me to design a good trail system at Telemark. I spent14 days there and laid out trails similar to the Vasalopet trails in Sweden. Later, Marty Hall added more hills. From the point of view of competitive skiers, it is a very good course.”
~ Sven Wiik, Nordic guru, Steamboat Springs, Colorado


“I still find it hard to believe I’ve skied 20 Birkies. My 20th was such a highlight. My daughter and husband made a banner congratulating me, I was wearing the purple bib and button showing it was my 20th race, and my daughter gave me 20 purple irises at the finish line.”
~ Kathy Bergin, Birkie skier, Cable, WI


“Great race. Well run as always. I’m hoping to do 20 more.”
~ Ken Muszynski, Palatine, IL


“As volunteers we witness the love and pride inherent in stories of fathers and daughters skiing their first Birkie together. Our hearts break when we retrieve the race bib of a recently deceased skier whose wife has driven all the way to Cable to claim what will be a cherished memento. We volunteers at the registration and help desk experience an entire Birkie universe playing out in a 10 square foot area of Telemark Lodge. Your race is our race, and in the final analysis, that’s what makes the Birkie unique.”
~ Anne Landre, Birkie volunteer, Milwaukee, WI


“I would like to personally thank all the volunteers and organizers for another fantastic event. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you,thank you, thank you,……um, I guess this isn’t going to work very well. But, anyway we’ll see you all next year!!!!”
~ Jeff Yue, Medina, MN

“Thanks!!!! You are a grrrrrrrrrrrrrreat team of fun, organized people – my favorite kind. I slept in the school Friday night and had a great time. Wonderful. Thanks for everything.”
~ Mary Margaret Anderson, Plymouth, MN

“It was a great Birkie…great conditions, great grooming, fast results, good beer.”
~ Jay Wenner, St Paul, MN


“I’ve not done the race in about 8 years and it sure was nice to come back. The volunteers, the course and the organization of the race are top notch. Thank you! “
~ Cheryl DuBois, North Oaks, MN

“I had a great time skiing the Birkie for the first time. The volunteers were terrific. Everything was well organized. I’m looking forward to skiing next year.”
~ Mike Gross, Hayward, WI

“As I get older I just want to stay healthy and keep competing. The energy of the day keeps me coming back year after year. Itï¿œs such a fun day with people you donï¿œt get to see on a daily basis. Friendships are developed and everyone is there to ski as well as they can and test themselves. It is very inspiring.”
~ Jeanine Evenson, Minneapolis

“The Birkie was a great experience. Thanks to your organization for putting on such a great event, everything was so very well done! I plan to ski again next year and encourage others to do the same.”
~ Paul Carlson, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

“Friendships are one of the greatest rewards for participating in the American Birkebeiner. Where else can a person count on seeing some of the same faces and a host of new faces from foreign countries all in the same day?”~ Laurie Landgraf, Bloomer, WI

“Thanks and great job to everyone involved in organizing this year’s Birkie.”
~ David Worley

“THANK YOU to all the people involved with the Birkie! To all the organizers, groomers, rest stop workers, road snow minders, start and finish workers, transport people, Spooner H.S. Ski team (waxing) and the Hayward community! It’s a first rate race and can’t wait till next year!!! “
~ Michael Rhoades, Fond Du Lac, WI

Carpe Skiem! is a monthly ezine for skiers who want to take the challenge, ski the adventure, and live the Birkie. Each issue features tips and resources to help skiers make the most of their race day experience. Carpe Skiem! is published monthly by the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. Please forward it to friends.

To subscribe or change your email address, please log on to www.birkie.com and click “Sign up for e-newsletter.” To unsubscribe, please click on the link at the bottom of this message.