Group of SkiersGitchi Gami Games is back for the 2023/24 season! We’re proud to host the Salomon CXC Cup for the top juniors in the region. Check out the 2023/2024 Junior National Qualifier calendar here.

Weekend Schedule

2023 Gitchi Gami Games CXC Cup

Friday, December 15: Course preview

Saturday, December 16: Classic Sprint

1.3km – Male U16/U18/U20/Senior & Female U16/U18/U20/Senior
650m – Female U14/U12/U10 and Male U14/U12/U10

Sunday, December 17: Skate Individual Start

10km – Female U18/U20/Senior
10km – Male U18/U20/Senior
5km- Female U16/Male U16
2.5km – Male U14/U12 and Female U14/U12
1.6km – Male U10 and Female U10

Friday December 15 - Course Preview

3:00 pmCourse Open *
Time adjusted due to rain
5:00 pmCourse Closes
6:00 pmVirtual Coaches Meeting

Saturday December 16 - Classic Sprint

7:30 amBib Pick-up Opens
7:30 amCourse Open
8:25 amCourse Closed
8:30 amFemale/Male U18/U20/Sr - Qualifying for Open1300m
9:45 amFemale - Quarterfinals
(Top 30 qualifiers regardless of age)
1300m
10:10 amMale - Quarterfinals
(Top 30 qualifiers regardless of age)
1300m
10:35 amFemale - Semifinals1300m
10:45 amMale - Semifinals1300m
11:00 amFemale - Finals1300m
11:10 amMale - Finals1300m
11:20 amAwards Ceremony
11:30 amFemale U18/U20 - Quarterfinals
(Those not qualifying for top 30 open spots)
1300m
11:55 amMale U18/U20 - Quarterfinals
(Those not qualifying for top 30 open spots)
1300m
12:20 pmFemale - U18/U20 Semifinals1300m
12:30 pmMale - U18/U20 Semifinals1300m
12:45 pmFemale - U18/U20 Finals1300m
12:50 pmMale - U18/U20 Finals1300m
12:55 pmCourse Open
1:05 pmAwards Ceremony
1:10 pmCourse Closed
1:15 pmFemale/Male U16 - Qualifying1300m
1:45 pmFemale/Male U14/U12/U10 - Qualifying650m
2:10 pmFemale U16 - Qtrfinals1300m
2:35 pmMale U16 - Qtrfinals1300m
3:00 pmFemale U16 - SemiFinals1300m
3:10 pmMale U16 - SemiFinals1300m
3:20 pmFemale U16 Finals
3:25 pmMale U16 Finals
3:30 pmAwards Ceremony
3:35 pmFemale U14 SemiFinals3 heats of 6
3:50 pmMale U14 SemiFinals3 heats of 8
4:05 pmFemale U14 Final
4:10 pmMale U14 Final
4:15 pmFemale U12/U10 SemiFinals2 heats of 8
4:25 pmMale U12/U10 Finals8 athletes
4:30 pmFemale U12/U10 Finals6 athletes
Immediatly FollowingAwards Ceremony
5:00 pmCourse Open to Public

Sunday December 17 - Individual Skate Start

7:30 amBib Pick-up Opens
7:30 amCourse Open
8:25 amCourse Closed
8:30 amFemale U18/U20/U23/Sr/NCAA10 km (4 x 2.5 km)
10:15 amCourse Open
10:20 amAwards Ceremony
10:55 amCourse Closed
11:00 amMale U18/U20/U23/Sr/NCAA10 km (4 x 2.5 km)
12:30 pmCourse Open
12:45 pmAwards Ceremony
12:55 pmCourse Closed
1:00 pmFemale U165 km (2 x 2.5 km)
1:40 pmMale U165 km (2 x 2.5 km)
2:20 pmFemale/Male U14/U12/U102.5 km
2:45 pmU16 Awards Ceremony
U14/12/10 Ceremony immediately after race
Updated: 12/15/23, schedule subject to change

Please note – per FIS and US Ski and Snowboard regulations, fluorocarbon waxes are NOT allowed at the Gitchi Gami Games. See below for more FIS waxing rules that will apply to all competitions.

The Gitchi Gami Games are part of the Junior Cup & Youth Cup event series. The JNQ series is governed by Central Cross Country Skiing (CXC) and encourages young athletes from U8 to U23 age divisions to enjoy cross country skiing and develop their skills, whether they are new to the sport High School skiers, aspiring junior skiers who hope to compete at the top national and international levels, or are somewhere in between. Events mix Olympic-style competition with elements of learning and fun for all levels – from beginner racers to those with International experience.

Registration

Salomon CXC Junior Cup and Youth Cup Registration

Registration is Closed

Registration will close Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 10:00 pm for Gitchi Gami Games.

Please direct any specific registration questions regarding refunds, corrections, updates, etc. to CXC via email at info@cxcskiing.org or phone 608-294-0433.

Coaches

Coaching staff, team service support and industry suppliers that require access to the “Field Of Play” (FOP) must register and be current members of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. This will allow access to the course (FOP) and stadium area as deemed appropriate by the Local Organizing Committee and jury. Personalized credentialed coaching bibs sent directly from U.S. Ski & Snowboard membership must be used or pick up a Coach bib at registration.

US Ski and Snowboard membership may be found here.

Team Coaches Meeting

Friday, December 15 at 6:00 PM – Virtual Meeting

Check here Friday afternoon for the link to join in the TCM meeting on Friday, Dec 15 at 6:00pm to discuss the weekend events.

Join the meeting here.

WhatsApp Group

Last minute communications will be done through the WhatsApp app.  Please join the 2023 Gitchi Gami Games group!

Maps

Gitchi Gami Games Venue Map

Gitchi Gami Games Venue Map

Gitchi Gami Games Stadium Map

Gitchi Gami Games 500/650 m Course

Gitchi Gami Games 600 m Course- Adaptive

Gitchi Gami Games 1300m Course

Gitchi Gami Games 2.5 km Course

Wax Facilities/Restrictions

No indoor spaces will be available for waxing.  Please email kristy.maki@birkie.com to request space at the venue.  Limited power available.

The American Birkebeiner Trailhead venue will follow all US Ski and Snowboard regulations.  Fluorocarbon waxes are NOT allowed at the Gitchi Gami Games per FIS and US Ski and Snowboard.

Effective immediately, the Central Region will enforce the following new FIS waxing Rules, focusing on the italicized below:

# 325.2.4- During the sprint finals (Quarterfinals through finals) no waxing of skis allowed. For exceptions see 343.12.7

# 343.12.7- Waxing, structuring or cleaning of the competitor’s skis bases during the competition is forbidden with the following exception: in classical distance competitions, competitors may scrape their skis to remove snow and ice, and add kick wax. They must make these adjustments without assistance from other persons and without interfering with other competitors. During classic individual sprint competitions, adjustments of the kick zone may be made between the rounds by the competitor or authorized personnel within the designed Control Area. Any adjustment of the glide zones is not allowed. [adjustments are defined as brushing or removing or adding any substances] It is not allowed to place branches, tools or materials on or adjacent to the groomed course.

Ski exchange during the heats is not allowed.

US Ski and Snowboard has determined that for this season Regions/Districts must establish their our own protocol for implementation of these rules. Central will have no corrals for controlling skis during the sprint heats. Athletes and coaches will follow normal corridors and movement as set out by the organizers. The Central Region implementation will be based on the honor system while still allowing for potential sanctions using the FIS rule regarding following the direction of the Jury or following FIS rules.

Parking & Spectator Info

Venue Access and Parking

Access to the American Birkebeiner Trailhead venue is via Telemark Rd. only (McNaught Rd is exit only). Venue Access

Ample parking is located in the large parking lot to the east of the venue.  No parking is allowed at the finish line area or along the road way.  Teams and wax trailers should find a physically distanced area in the parking lot.

Getting to the Start

All of the races will start and finish at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead.  Arrive at the start from Telemark Rd- take Hwy M east from Cable, take a right (south) on Telemark Rd. There is ample parking at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead.

Concessions

Lakewoods Resort and Lodge will be serving concessions inside of the Derksen Family Great Hall!

Hours:

Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Spectator Information

There are many great viewing places on course at the new Gitchi Gami Games course!

Team Leader Communication

During the official training and competition hours, access to the competition courses and stadium is restricted to credentialed individuals only. The credential is in the form of the U. S. ski & Snowboard Coach bib which is available to members with a Current Coach status. US Ski and Snowboard membership may be found here.

Livestream

CXC is livestreaming the CXC Cup in order to minimize the number of spectators at each venue, as well as athletes and coaches in common areas, to prevent the spread of COVID19.  To achieve this, the livestream will focus on:

  • Showcasing as many competitors as possible at the start and finish for fans watching at home
  • Provide athletes, coaches, and volunteers realtime race progress in the stadium area as they get ready for their competition

We hope you tune in for the races!

Volunteer

If you are interested in volunteering for the Gitchi Gami Games/CXC Cup, please click here to register for available shifts.

Lodging

Contact Cable Chamber:  715-798-3833 or  info@cable4fun.com

Sponsors

Gold Circle Elite
Gold Level Sponsors of the Major Birkie Events Year-Round

Salomon
AriensCo
Untapped
Kwik Trip
Anderson's
Tamarack Health
Republic Services
Backroads Coffee
TIOA
Earth Rider Brewery
Maloja
Timber Ford

Be Part of the Birkie and the Markets We Serve!

Andrew Manocheo
Partnership Director
American Birkebeiner® Ski Foundation
andrew.manocheo@birkie.com

Race Contacts

For questions:

OC Lead:  Kristy Maki

Chief of Competition: Kristy Maki (kristy.maki@birkie.com)

Asst. Chief of Competition: Ben Popp (ben.popp@birkie.com)

Chief of Course: Jeff Tumbleson (jeff.tumbleson@birkie.com)

Chief of Competition Control: Scott Wilson

Chief of Stadium: Jim Krueger

Race Secretary: Kelly Nechuta (registration@birkie.com)

Online Registration Questions:  CXC (info@cxcskiing.org ) or (608) 294-0433

Press Coordinator: Blair Flickinger (blair.flickinger@birkie.com)

US Ski and Snowboard Technical Delegate: Matt Laue

US Ski and Snowbaord Assistant TD: Mike Bono