Gitchi Gami Games | American Birkebeiner

Gitchi Gami Games
Weekend Schedule
Registration
Maps
Wax Facilities/Restrictions
Parking & Spectator Info
Team Leader Communication
Weather/Conditions
Livestream
Results
Volunteer
Lodging
Sponsors
Race Contacts

Gitchi 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 pm	Course Open * Time adjusted due to rain
5:00 pm	Course Closes
6:00 pm	Virtual Coaches Meeting
Saturday December 16 – Classic Sprint
7:30 am	Bib Pick-up Opens
7:30 am	Course Open
8:25 am	Course Closed
8:30 am	Female/Male U18/U20/Sr – Qualifying for Open	1300m
9:45 am	Female – Quarterfinals (Top 30 qualifiers regardless of age)	1300m
10:10 am	Male – Quarterfinals (Top 30 qualifiers regardless of age)	1300m
10:35 am	Female – Semifinals	1300m
10:45 am	Male – Semifinals	1300m
11:00 am	Female – Finals	1300m
11:10 am	Male – Finals	1300m
11:20 am	Awards Ceremony
11:30 am	Female U18/U20 – Quarterfinals (Those not qualifying for top 30 open spots)	1300m
11:55 am	Male U18/U20 – Quarterfinals (Those not qualifying for top 30 open spots)	1300m
12:20 pm	Female – U18/U20 Semifinals	1300m
12:30 pm	Male – U18/U20 Semifinals	1300m
12:45 pm	Female – U18/U20 Finals	1300m
12:50 pm	Male – U18/U20 Finals	1300m
12:55 pm	Course Open
1:05 pm	Awards Ceremony
1:10 pm	Course Closed
1:15 pm	Female/Male U16 – Qualifying	1300m
1:45 pm	Female/Male U14/U12/U10 – Qualifying	650m
2:10 pm	Female U16 – Qtrfinals	1300m
2:35 pm	Male U16 – Qtrfinals	1300m
3:00 pm	Female U16 – SemiFinals	1300m
3:10 pm	Male U16 – SemiFinals	1300m
3:20 pm	Female U16 Finals
3:25 pm	Male U16 Finals
3:30 pm	Awards Ceremony
3:35 pm	Female U14 SemiFinals	3 heats of 6
3:50 pm	Male U14 SemiFinals	3 heats of 8
4:05 pm	Female U14 Final
4:10 pm	Male U14 Final
4:15 pm	Female U12/U10 SemiFinals	2 heats of 8
4:25 pm	Male U12/U10 Finals	8 athletes
4:30 pm	Female U12/U10 Finals	6 athletes
Immediatly Following	Awards Ceremony
5:00 pm	Course Open to Public
Sunday December 17 – Individual Skate Start
7:30 am	Bib Pick-up Opens
7:30 am	Course Open
8:25 am	Course Closed
8:30 am	Female U18/U20/U23/Sr/NCAA	10 km (4 x 2.5 km)
10:15 am	Course Open
10:20 am	Awards Ceremony
10:55 am	Course Closed
11:00 am	Male U18/U20/U23/Sr/NCAA	10 km (4 x 2.5 km)
12:30 pm	Course Open
12:45 pm	Awards Ceremony
12:55 pm	Course Closed
1:00 pm	Female U16	5 km (2 x 2.5 km)
1:40 pm	Male U16	5 km (2 x 2.5 km)
2:20 pm	Female/Male U14/U12/U10	2.5 km
2:45 pm	U16 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 600 m Course- Adaptive

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

Learn How to Refuel With Untapped!

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.

Weather/Conditions

Weather Station in Stadium

Stadium Video Camera

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!