Birkie News Archives for
Birchleggers & Birkie Green Bib Initiative featured on WPR’s Larry Meiller Show
On Wednesday July 24, Wisconsin Public Radio’s Larry Meiller show featured a segment on upcycling plastic. Birchlegger Jim Tenorio called into the program to inform the state-wide (and beyond) listening audience of the Birkie Green initiatives surrounding our bibs which are made out of recycled water bottles. But the life those bibs don’t end on […]
Carol Ann Duffy, the first Worldloppet Master, passes at age 89
We are sad to announce that on July 21, 2024 we had to say goodbye to Carol Ann Duffy of Hayward, Wisconsin, born in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Carol was the first Worldloppet Master earning diploma number one in 1980 along with her husband Tom who earned diploma number three. Back in 2018, for the 40th […]
American Birkebeiner Featured on PBS News Hour
The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is committed to reducing our carbon footprint through our Birkie Green initiative, which acts as a filter for everything we do from events to building structures. Our Birkie Green initiative focuses on five areas: 1. Limit our use of unrecycled material for retail and for race swag.2. Increase our reliance […]
Lifesaving Drone Technology Debuted at this year’s American Birkebeiner Event
PRESS RELEASE Lifesaving Drone Technology Debuted at this year’s American Birkebeiner Event HAYWARD, WI (March 6, 2024) – As the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation wraps a successful 50th Anniversary Season this weekend with the Fat Bike Birkie, the ABSF medical team in Hayward, Wisconsin celebrated something never before tried in sports: after two cardiac incidents at […]
American Birkebeiner Celebrates 50 Years by Hosting its Annual Week of Ski Events on Ten Kilometers of Machine-made Snow
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HAYWARD, WI (February 25, 2024) – Despite the warmest Wisconsin winter on record and less than 16” of natural fallen snow in Sawyer County, Birkie Week 2024 events were enjoyed by nearly 12,000 participants representing all 50 states and 26 countries. This week was made possible by the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation’s capabilities […]
WI State Legislature declares February 19th – 25th American Birkebeiner Week in Wisconsin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HAYWARD, WI (February 18, 2024) – Last week the WI State Senate adopted Assembly Joint Resolution 104, officially declaring February 19th – 25th American Birkebeiner Week in Wisconsin. American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation Executive Director Ben Popp commented, “we are honored to be recognized state-wide as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of this globally renowned race. […]
Ernie St. Germaine Received 50th Anniversary Custom Skis
On Friday, February 9th, Ernie St. Germaine, the only skier to have skied all 49 American Birkebeiners, picked up his custom skis for his 50th race in just two weeks. Months ago, Erine realized he needed new pair of skis for this year’s race. He stopped by Hayward’s Riverbrook Bike and Ski. Owners Tim Swift […]
Executive Director Ben Popp discusses a warmer Birkie year on MPR
American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation Executive Director Ben Popp chatted with Jenn White on Minnesota Public Radio. Ben discusses the current and forecasted weather conditions as well as the initial Birkie contingency plans. Interviewed live on January 31, 2024.
