“Birkie” is North America’s Largest Cross-Country Ski Race & the Greatest Show on Snow!
Hayward, Wisconsin (December 19, 2018) — The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation announced today that registration for the 45th Slumberland American Birkebeiner, the “Birkie,” North America’s largest cross-country ski race, will close at 11:59pm, Thursday, December 20, 2018, as the race has reached capacity.
The American Birkebeiner race is scheduled for Saturday, February 23, 2019; the Kortelopet, North America’s second largest ski race, and the Prince Haakon are slated for Friday, February 22, 2019. While both Kortelopet and Prince Haakon race registration will remain open, the races are quickly nearing capacity, as well. Further race registration closure announcements will be made in the coming days and weeks as races fill. Registration is also open for Birkie week events including: Barkie Birkie Skijor; Barnebirkie, Junior Birkie, Birkie Giant Ski, and Birkie Adaptive Ski. Visit www.Birkie.com for details.
An estimated 40,000 skiers and spectators will gather in Hayward and Cable, WI, in February to celebrate the love of Nordic skiing. Of those, an estimated 13,500 skiers will participate in American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation race events during Birkie week. An international event, the 2018 Slumberland American Birkebeiner race drew participants from 49 states and 36 countries to northwestern Wisconsin.
Friday, February 22, 2019
For a second year, both the Kortelopet and Prince Haakon races will finish in downtown Hayward with the 29K Kortelopet starting at the Highway OO Trailhead near Seeley,WI, and the 15K Prince Haakon starting near Mosquito Brook, northeast of Hayward. The Kortelopet is presented by LL Bean and Salomon. The Prince Haakon is presented by Northern Lakes Corner Deli.
Saturday, February 23, 2019
The 44th Annual Slumberland American Birkebeiner (50/55K) will begin at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead near Cable, WI. Skiers will traverse the legendary Birkie Trail toward the finish line on Hayward’s snow-covered Main Street. Slumberland Furniture is the title sponsor of the American Birkebeiner.
The American Birkebeiner is rooted in Norwegian history when two Birkebeiner warriors, so-called by the birch bark leggings they wore, skied Prince Haakon, heir to the Norwegian throne, to safety on a long and perilous journey through the treacherous mountains and forests of Norway. Their determination is commemorated each year at the American Birkebeiner Ski Marathon as skiers recreate the courageous 55-kilometer journey.
Posted December 19, 2018 at 11:09 am
