Jessie Diggins to Ski 53rd Annual Birkie
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HAYWARD, WI (October 16, 2026) – In a social media video post on Friday, Jessie Diggins, the most decorated and accomplished cross-country skier in United States history, announced she will be racing in the 53rd American Birkebeiner (aka the Birkie) on Saturday, February 27th, 2027. “I have my next race on the calendar, and it is none other than the American Birkiebeiner,” said Diggins. “Growing up in Minnesota…the Birkie weekend was essentially a national holiday. And if you are a cross-country skier anywhere in North America, you get it.”
Diggins, who won the Birkie in 2024, highlighted her youth experience skiing in the Kortelopet (aka Korte), the half distance Birkie race. “It’s where I really learned how to race and how to have fun,” said Diggins. She also announced that she will be at the Kortelopet start line on Friday, February 26th, 2027 along with a Dermatone Glitter Bar, where skiers can add some of Diggins signature glitter flair before their race.
Because of the Kortelopet’s significance in Jessie’s ski career, and an incredible stepping stone for younger athletes and newer skiers, Jessie and the Birkie are highlighting this race with this unique signup code and giveaway. Skiers registering for the Kortelopet can use code JESSIE27 when registering to be entered into a drawing for a pair of Salomon skis. Skiers registering for the Kortelopet can use code JESSIE27 when registering to be entered into a drawing for a pair of Salomon skis.
The American Birkebeiner, affectionately known as the “Birkie,” is North America’s largest cross-country ski race, drawing thousands of participants and spectators annually to the iconic Birkebeiner Trail in Cable and Hayward, Wisconsin. With a tradition dating back to 1973, the Birkie week of ski events has become a national gathering of the cross-country ski community and celebration of winter activity.
Jessie’s announcement video can be found at https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dejzpt7B2sE/?psln=ZnFib2o5ZHNja3lo
For more information on the American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet and the Birkie Week of events please visit https://www.birkie.com/. For additional comment and questions, email Shawn Connelly, Marketing Director for the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation – shawn.connelly@birkie.com or call 715-575-1168.
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Posted October 16, 2026 at 10:54 am
