American Birkebeiner

Six-Time Olympic Medalist Participating in Birkie as MS Ambassador

Recognized as one of Norway’s Top Ten Nordic skiers of all time, Vegard Ulvang will participate in this year’s American Birkebeiner as a “Research Ambassador” for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Wisconsin Chapter. What’s more, you could win a chance to ski with the six-time Olympic medalist.

The National MS Society is the American Birkebeiner’s "Skiers for Cures" beneficiary. During the past three years Birkie skiers and supporters have pledged over $200,000 to power MS research through this program. More than 2.1 million worldwide have been diagnosed with MS, including 400,000 in the United States and more than 10,000 in Wisconsin.

Ulvang won three Olympic Gold Medals at the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville. He also has two Silver Olympic medals and one Bronze. One of his country’s most successful racers, he won the famous Holmenkollen 50K three times. Currently the executive director of FIS Nordic and the creator and director of the hugely successful Tour de Ski, Ulvang will lead a group of four skiers more than 800 miles across Antarctica to the South Pole. The expedition will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the Pole by Roald Amundsen.

In addition to participating in the American Birkebeiner, Ulvang will promote the Society. Indeed, those making a contribution to the Skiers for Cures program have the opportunity to win exciting prizes – including the chance to ski with Ulvang.

Skiers for Cures 2012 promotions include:

• Ski with Ulvang. Those contributing $1,000 or more to the Skiers for Cures program will have the opportunity to ski with Ulvang and enjoy a private lunch afterwards. This once-in-a-lifetime experience will take place Thursday, February 23.

• Win a Trip to Norway’s 2013 Birkebeinerrennet. For every $250 contributed to Skiers for Cures, donors will receive one entry in a drawing to win a trip for two to Norway’s 2013 Birkebeinerrennet. The trip includes two race entries, three night’s lodging and a $1,500 voucher for air travel.

• Skiers for Cures Pins. The popular Ski for the Cure pin will once again be available for $20 at the American Birkebeiner Expo (or online at wisMS.org). Those wearing the pin on their Birkebeiner or Kortelopet race bib when they cross the Finish Line will be randomly selected to win prizes.

Details about all three Skiers for Cures fundraisers can be found at the National MS Society-Wisconsin Chapter’s website www.wisMS.org, or by calling 800-242-3358 or emailing info.wisms@nmss.org.

Funding the Cure
Proceeds from the Skiers for Cures fundraisers support the Society’s mission of driving research for a cure. The Society funds more MS research worldwide than any other nonprofit organization. In 2011, the nonprofit organization invested $39.5 million to support more than 325 research initiatives.

About MS
MS interrupts the flow of information from the brain to the body and stops people from moving. It is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. MS is two to three times more common in women than men, and most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. One in 500 Wisconsin residents lives with MS, giving the state one of the highest incidence rates in the country. While the progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, advances in research and treatment are giving hope to those affected by the disease.

MS stops people from moving. We exist to make sure it doesn’t.

Find Out How You Can Ski for a Cure!

Visit the American Birkebeiner's Skiers for Cures information page and find out how you can Ski for a Cure in 2012!

For More Information
For questions or additional details about about Vegard Ulvang at the 2012 American Birkebeiner, please contact media@birkie.com.