July 09, 2019 (Wisconsin) – The Slumberland American Birkebeiner is North America’s largest cross-country ski race and the first American event to enter the world of Visma Ski Classics. The new Visma Ski Classics Challengers concept was launched earlier in April this year as a common platform in order to connect and promote long distance skiing events worldwide.

The Slumberland American Birkebeiner spans 50 kilometers from Cable to Hayward, Wisconsin USA. To date, over 250.000 skiers have finished Birkie ski events and approximately 40.000 spectators and skiers gather each February in the area for the Nordic sports festivities and in celebration of the determination and perseverance of the Birkebeiner warriors.

“We are extremely excited to join the family of races that make up the Challenger Series in Visma Ski Classics. The American Birkebeiner is North America’s largest ski race and one of the greatest finishes for a popular ski marathon. As skiers near the finish line, they make their way over the American Birkebeiner International Bridge and finish in the heart of Hayward, Wisconsin. Some of the best marathon racers from around the world will test themselves on the world renowned Birkie Trail as they fight for nearly $50,000 in prize money. We look forward to hosting the Visma Ski Classics Skiers and Challenger participants!” said Ben Popp, Executive Director, American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation.

“American Birkebeiner is one of the largest ski races in the world, and we are very proud to have them as a part of Visma Ski Classics. The idea behind the new Challengers concept is being able to create one world of long distance skiing. And having American events is of most importance, hopefully it will over time make more skiers traveling overseas in both directions to get new ski experiences, making the sport grow.” says CEO Visma Ski Classics David Nilsson.

EVENT INFORMATION

• Event date: February 22, 2020
• Place: Hayward, WI
• Country: USA
• Type of race: Cross Country Skiing Event
• Technique: Freestyle
• Race distance: 50km
• Registration fee (Euro): 125
• Number of active years: 46
• Number of participants: 10.600
• Website address: www.birkie.com
• Instagram url: http://instagram.com/americanbirkebeiner
• Facebook url: https://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Birkebeiner-Ski-Foundation/70518401172?ref=hl
• Twitter url: https://mobile.twitter.com/birkie
• Registration website: https://www.birkie.com/ski/events/birkie/#registration

To see more events of Visma Ski Classics Season X go to www.vismaskiclassics.com