Birkie, Korte, Prince Haakon, BirkieTour & Fat Bike Birkie
Hayward, Wis. (April 26, 2018) – The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF) board of directors today announced that registration will open for the 2019 American Birkebeiner schedule of events on May 1, 2018 at 8am. North America’s largest cross-country ski race, the 45th Slumberland American Birkebeiner, is slated for Saturday, February 23, 2019, with the Kortelopet and Prince Haakon races slated for Friday, February 22, 2019. Additionally, Fat Bike Birkie, the world’s largest fat bike race, is March 9, 2019, with the Birkie Tour hosted on January 13, 2019.
Friday, February 22, 2019
- Kortelopet 29K Classic & Skate Ski Race
- For the second year, North America’s second largest ski race will journey from the Highway “OO” Trailhead east of Seeley, WI, to the finish line on Hayward’s snow-covered Main Street.
- Prince Haakon 15K Classic & Skate Ski Race
- A race which honors the eventual Norwegian King, rescued and skied to safety by Birkebeiner warriors in 1206, the Prince Haakon Race will begin near Mosquito Brook, outside of Hayward, WI, and will finish in snowy downtown Hayward.
Saturday, February 23, 2019
- 45th Annual Slumberland American Birkebeiner 50K Skate & 55K Classic Ski Race
- In 2018, skiers from 49 states and 36 countries participated in Birkie week ski races. 2019 Slumberland American Birkebeiner skiers will embark on an over 50K journey (50K skate/55K classic) to their destination in Hayward, WI. The Birkie finds thousands of skiers traveling the distance and recreating the epic journey that Norwegian Birkebeiner warriors traveled to save Prince Haakon – the very legacy of the American Birkebeiner race.
Wave Placement is based on a first registered, first seeded basis. Once a wave has filled, participants will be placed in the next available wave.
As part of registration, 2019 event registrants once again have an opportunity to help the ABSF go greener by ordering a reusable Birkie gear bag. The reusable backpack or duffle style bag was first offered during 2018 registration; over 5000 bags were secured and used by skiers at Birkie 2018. The Birkie Gear Bag was used in lieu of the large plastic bags skiers normally receive as part of their packet at bib pick-up and ultimately reduced the overall amount of waste generated by use of plastic bags during the 2018 ski events. The Birkie Gear Bag is a slightly larger version of that used by the US Ski Team athletes and will be introduced with a new color scheme for 2019.
Saturday, March 9, 2019
- 45NRTH Fat Bike Birkie
- The Fat Bike Birkie is the world’s largest fat bike race and offers both 47K (The Big Fat) & 21K
(The Chico) race options for riders of all skill levels. In its seventh year, the Fat Bike Birkie has
grown from fewer than 200 riders in 2013 to an estimated 1200+ riders in 2019
- The Fat Bike Birkie is the world’s largest fat bike race and offers both 47K (The Big Fat) & 21K
Sunday, January 13, 2019
- BirkieTour
- The BirkieTour, an untimed, aid station supported tour of the Birkie Trail provides skiers with experience on the trail before February races, allows skiers who are not interested in racing an opportunity to experience a supported event, and extends a leisurely day to skiers looking for a fun and camaraderie filled atmosphere with family and friends, all on the legendary Birkie Trail.
Registration for all events will be available on Tuesday, May 1 at 8am at www.Birkie.com.
Posted April 27, 2018 at 8:40 am
