June 12, 2013 (Hayward, WI) – On June 13-16, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation will host delegates from all 16 nations of the Worldloppet Ski Federation at the Worldloppet Annual General Meeting in Hayward/Cable, Wisconsin. The American Birkebeiner will host both meetings and times to socialize at various venues in Hayward and Cable, Wisconsin, including Lakewoods Resort and the Lumberjack Village.

The Worldloppet Annual General Meeting is a time for ski marathon organizations to sit down together and work on ways to continually improve and promote the sport of cross country skiing worldwide. This will be the first time in approximately 15 years that the American Birkebeiner has hosted this annual Worldloppet meeting.

“The American Birkebeiner is extremely honored and excited to be hosting the organizers of the other great ski marathon races from around the world. To also have the opportunity to show off the iconic Birkie Trail as well as our local communities is fantastic,” says Ben Popp, new Executive Director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation.

MORE ABOUT THE WORLDLOPPET …
Below is more about the Worldloppet Ski Federation, from the organization’s website at www.Worldloppet.com.

Worldloppet Ski Federation:
Worldloppet is an international sports federation of cross-country skiing marathons. The federation was founded in 1978 in Uppsala, Sweden. The aim of Worldloppet is to promote the sport of cross-country skiing through the various ski races around the world.

Worldloppet Members:
Only one and the best race from a country can be a member of Worldloppet. The youngest member is a polish race, Bieg Piastow, that was admitted by Worldloppet Annual General Meeting in Mora, SWE, 2008. Worldloppet currently unites 16 races from Europe, America, Asia and Australia:

• Europe: Jizerská padesátka (CZE), Dolomitenlauf (AUT), Marcialonga (ITA), König Ludwig Lauf (GER), Tartu Maraton (EST), La Transjurassienne (FRA), Finlandia-hiihto (FIN), Vasaloppet (SWE), Engadin Skimarathon (SUI), Birkebeinerrennet (NOR), Bieg Piastow (POL)
• North America: American Birkebeiner (USA), Gatineau Loppet (CAN)
• Asia: Sapporo International Ski Marathon (JPN) Demino Ski Marathon (RUS)
• Australia: Kangaroo Hoppet

Worldloppet Strategy:

• High quality ski races around the World. Only one and the best race from a country can be a member of Worldloppet.
• Regularity and continuity. Each race, having its own history, traditions and program, is held usually at the same time every year. After completing 10 different Worldloppet races, at least one of them overseas, a skier can apply for the Worldloppet Master title.
• Races for everybody. Races different by length, technique, landscape and target group attract 80 000 participants every year.
• Participation of elite skiers. FIS Marathon Cup, consisting of 10 Worldloppet races, is a Worldloppet series for top skiers.

May 14, 2012 – Today we are introducing you another candidate to host FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2017 – Zakopane, Poland. Find out more about this potential host venue in the Q&A below.

Q: Why is Zakopane a candidate to host 2017 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships? How many times have you run your bid?
Zakopane is the cradle of Polish skiing, which traditions go as far back as to over 120 years. Zakopane organized FIS World Championships three times (1929, 1939, 1962), Winter Universiade three times (1956, 1993, 2001), World and European Biathlon Championships, Biathlon World Juniors Championships, Speed Skating World Juniors Championships and World Cup, FIS European Cup in Womens’ Slalom, Ski Jumping World Cup (several times), Nordic Combined, Cross-Country and Slalom, Ski Jumping Continental Cups, Ski Jumping Summer Grand Prix, FIS World Junior Championships in Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined. International competitions of various level are held here almost every year.

It is the fourth time that Zakopane, together with Polish Ski Federation and Tatra Ski Association, have begun making efforts to be granted the right to organize FIS Nordic World Championships in 2017.

Q: What makes you different from the other candidates?
The sports events, which have been hosted in Zakopane so far, have given a completely new quality to the concept of the atmosphere. Ski fans, enthusiasm and their admiration of the best athletes from all over the world is a unique phenomenon, which has developed in Zakopane during Ski Jumping World Cups and is always present at all the events organized at the foot of Mountain. It will be the same during the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships Zakopane 2017.

Q: What is the core of your bid? What would the Champs at your venue be like and what would people remember in 2027 about them?
Organization of big international winter sports events has had significant influence on the city development. Many new sports venues have been built, the accommodation and catering infrastructure has been developed, water-sewage system has been improved, new streets, roads and parking places have been built. Also tourism has greatly developed.

Zakopane has continuously aspired to be counted among the group of cities organizing world sports events. The crowning achievement of this aspiration was the submission of the city’s candidature for the organization of Winter Olympic Games in 2006 and FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 2011, 2013 and 2015.

Zakopane is also a significant center of culture – it is the cradle of interwar art bohemians. Outstanding musicians, writers and artists have settled and created here for years.

You can find more information at: www.wsc2017.zakopane.eu