Kortelopet Classic and Skate 29K
Friday, February 21, 2020! Save the Date! February 26, 2021

Is this YOUR YEAR to ski the Kortelopet?

For 2020 Kortelopet skiers will experience a great race course, a memorable finish line experience, and the recognition they deserve for skiing an amazing 29 kilometer race!  Imagine skiing up and over the iconic International Bridge to the sounds of ringing cowbells and cheering crowds as you ski toward the finish line on the snow-covered Main Street of Hayward, Wisconsin.  Now, families and friends who have skiers participating in the Birkie, Korte and Prince Haakon have the opportunity to cheer each other on during their respective races.  Spectators, too, will enjoy the celebratory, festival-like atmosphere, food, and music in downtown Hayward.  We hope to see you in 2020!

The Kortelopet:

• Spans 29 kilometers from the OO Trailhead to Downtown Hayward
• Attracts 3,000 skiers who want the challenge and excitement of a shorter-distance race

Race Day Skier Tracking
Get the Phone App Now! Share this with Family & Friends!

It’s easy for friends and family to track a Slumberland American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet or Prince Haakon skier on their smartphone or online!

Mobile:

Download the RTRT.me app (free!) from your app store. Search for the Birkie 2020 event within the RTRT.me app and you’re all set!

Download the RTRT.me Mobile App

Online:

Click the link below to track your favorite skier on race day!

View the Online Tracker

Users can get details such as time, pace, position on the map, and estimated finish time! Plus, watch the Live Stream cameras at various points throughout the race courses – from start to finish! Then, after the races, watch the entire U.S. Ski & Snowboard PPV “live on tape” webcast of the Kortelopet (free on race day only) and the Slumberland American Birkebeiner! Details below!

Live Web Broadcasting!

U.S. Ski & Snowboard is excited to once again bring you live web broadcasting of the biggest domestic cross country ski events, including the Slumberland American Birkebeiner and the Kortelopet (free to watch). Your pay per view subscription to XCOUNTRYLIVE’s exclusive content not only gives you live and on-demand coverage of premier events, but it also helps support cross-country skiing. Your XCOUNTRYLIVE pass supports event organizers (like the ABSF) who invest in putting on premier races; it provides prize money for SuperTour athletes; and it provides a platform for family, friends, and fans to watch their favorite athletes compete in America’s most important ski events. Subscribe today to XCOUNTRYLIVE and tune in this winter for exclusive coverage.

Events include:

• L.L Bean U.S. Cross Country Championships – Jan 2-7
• Slumberland American Birkebeiner – Feb 19-22
  • Includes SuperTour Sprints, Kortelopet, Slumberland American Birkebeiner
• U.S. Junior National Championships – March 7-14

2020 Registration is Closed! 2021 Registration Opens May 1, 2020!
Save the Date! Kortelopet – February 26, 2021

2020 Birkie Green Gear Bag – SOLD OUT FOR ALL 2020 RACES!

Like Birkie skiers, Kortelopet skiers are a dedicated bunch!  In honor of a Korte skier’s determination and dedication, there is a well-deserved recognition program!  Skiløper, Norwegian for “skier” (pronounced “Shē-lōp-păh”), began in 2019 and recognizes Kortelopet skiers who reach the milestones of 10, 20, and 30-years.  In addition to the current recognition which includes a Kortelopet 10-year plaque and a finisher pin, Skiløper skiers receive a unique bib and deservedly a little swagger for earning it!  Here’s how it works:

• Skiers are recognized at 10, 20 and 30 years for their Kortelopet accomplishments!
  • Skiløper – Ti (Pronounced “tee” means Ten )
    • Unique bib for 10-19 years
    • Listed in the results of the Birch Scroll as a Skiløper – Ti
  • Skiløper -Tjue (Pronounced “tu-a” means Twenty)
    • Unique bib for 20-29 years
    • Listed in the results of the Birch Scroll as a Skiløper – Tjue
  • Skiløper – Tretti (Pronounced “tre-tee” means thirty)
    • Unique bib for 30+ years
    • Listed in the results of the Birch Scroll as a Skiløper – Tretti

If you’ve skied 10 or more Kortelopet races, you’ll automatically receive a bib for the next year for your overall Korte accomplishments as a Skiløper (Ti, Tjue, or Tretti!).

Congratulations Skiløper – You’ve Earned it!

The American Birkebeiner and Kortelopet utilizes a seeded start structure for four of its events:  Birkebeiner Skate, Birkebeiner Classic, Kortelopet Skate, and Kortelopet Classic.  Participants are seeded into starting waves based on their race history from the past 3 years.  The first priority for wave placement is your best result from 2016, 2018 or 2019 Birkie events for the same event which you are registering- distance and technique (see the Wave Seeding Criteria tables below).  Wave placement will be made based on the top finish which matches the race you are currently registered for.  If you do not have a finish time for that specific event from those years, but do have a finish time from any of the other three seeded Birkie events in the same time period, you will be placed in a wave based on the best finish result from that event, plus or minus an adjustment factor which accounts for the historical difference in the strength of competition between the races (see the Event Adjustment Factor table below).  If you have participated in multiple Birkie events in 2016, 2018, or 2019, wave placement criteria will use results from the similar distance race, then from a similar technique.   Participants who do not have a Birkie event finish time from the past 3 years will be placed in the last wave.  The goal of wave placement is to place participants of similar abilities together to minimize passing and encourage a smooth flowing race.

The Korte has three special waves- Elite, U20 and Wave 70, for younger and older skiers. See the details for these waves below.

Kortelopet Elite Waves

The Kortelopet Skate and Classic races each have an elite wave. The Korte Skate Elite Wave is comprised of the top 100 men and 50 women from the previous year (2019); Korte Classic Elite Wave is top 40 men and 20 women from the previous year (2019).  Participants qualifying for the Korte Elite Wave will automatically be placed in the Elite Wave wave upon registering. Skiers qualifying for the Elite Wave may register for the race until January 24, 2020.  Elite Wave qualifiers that ski a different technique in 2020 will not be placed in the elite wave, but may request to be put on the waitlist.  If you are a top skier and did not race the 2019 Kortelopet, you may request to be in the Elite wave. Open positions in the Elite Wave will be filled from the waitlist after January 24, 2020.   For more information or to be placed on the waitlist, email registration@birkie.com.

Kortelopet Skate Wave Seeding Criteria

Korte Classic Wave Seeding Criteria

Event Adjustment Factors

U20 Wave for Junior Racers

If you are a skier born between January 1, 2000 and February 21, 2007 you will be assigned to start the Kortelopet in the U20 Classic or U20 Skate Waves.  If you are a junior skier and do not want to ski in the U20 wave contact registration@birkie.com and you will be placed in a wave based on the normal seeding process. If you are placed in the U20 wave you can request an upgrade to the Elite wave by emailing registration@birkie.com.

The U20 wave is timed using a gun start- all U20 skiers will receive the same start time in their respective wave.  Official time of U20 skiers that do not start in their assigned wave will reflect the gun time from their assigned wave.  U20 skiers not starting in their assigned wave will not be eligible for overall or age group awards.

Wave 70

Cross country skiing is a lifestyle sport that allows people to stay active and healthy into their later years. Each year the Kortelopet provides an opportunity to celebrate this for over one hundred skiers over the age of seventy! We recognize these skiers with a special bib and special wave.

Event/Technique Change Request

Participants may request to change from the Korte to the Prince Haakon and/or technique between Skate and Classic at any time until 4:00pm CST on January 24, 2020.  (Participants may no longer transfer from the Korte to the Birkie once the Birkie is full.)  A change fee of $15 plus any difference in entry fee will be applied. You will receive an updated e-mail confirmation reflecting the change once the change has been made. If you do NOT receive an updated e-mail confirmation within 10 business days, contact registration@birkie.com.

Change requests are now closed.

Wave Upgrade Request

Participants may utilize their result from the list of qualifier competitions to improve on their placement from the above criteria. Similar to the comparison between the American Birkebeiner events, the results of the qualifiers will be adjusted based on the strength of competition, distance, and course elevation profile.

KORTE CLASSIC: Wave 1 is CLOSED.

Click here to make a wave upgrade request.

All requests will be charged a $15 service fee, whether a wave upgrade is granted or not. Wave upgrades are subject to availability, if the wave that you qualify for is full, you will be assigned to the next wave with space available. You will receive an updated wave placement email confirmation if an upgrade has been made. If you do NOT receive an updated e-mail confirmation within 10 business days, contact registration@birkie.com.

You may request to use a race result from the list of qualifier competitions to improve your wave placement. Follow these steps to see if you are eligible for an upgrade:

1. Determine your percent back in the qualifier race. Divide your time back from the winner (in minutes) by the winners time (in minutes), then multiply this value by 100. (example: your time 2:36, winning time 2:00; 36 minutes/120 minutes = 0.3 x 100 = 30% back)
2. Determine your Percent Back Equivalency (PBE). Add your percent back to the qualifier race’s Adjustment Factor, which is found on the Qualifier List. PBE = Your % Back + Adjustment Factor
3. Determine where your PBE would place you. Look up your PBE in the 2019 column of the Wave Seeding Table of the race for which you are registered. (Example: A PBE of 87% will place you in Wave 4 for Birkie Skate or Wave 3 for Birkie Classic or Wave 1 Korte Classic or Wave 2 Korte Skate)

Request an upgrade only if your PBE will place you in a lower wave. Make sure you have completed steps 1-3 before calling.

Click Here to View the 2020 Qualifier Races

Birkie Expo

The 2020 BIRKIE EXPO is Bigger than ever this year! Pick up your bib and then explore, shop, and hang out!

Check out great new skis, boots, poles, wax, gear, clothing, ways to fuel your active outdoor lifestyle, fat bikes, trail running shoes, and more! This is THE place for samples, swag, big discounts, and a chance to connect with some great organizations that support your passion for skiing and the Birkie community.

Click Here for Birkie Expo Information »

Pre-Race Bib Pickup:

Bib Number Email Confirmations will be sent out the week before Birkie Week

Thursday, February 20

• Location: Birkie Expo, Hayward High School
  
• Times:
  • Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• You will pick up your bib and Birkie Gear Bag (if you ordered one).  If you did not order a Birkie Gear Bag, you will get a plastic bag.  You will not receive both types of bags.
• Expo Preview

Race Day Bib Pickup:

Friday February 21

• Location: Start Area Near Warming Tent
  
• Time: 9:00 am – 11:00 am
• There will be NO BIRKIE GEAR BAG PICKUP at the start.  Plastic bags will be given to all those picking up bibs at the start.  If you ordered a Birkie Gear Bag and are unable to pick up your bag at the Birkie Expo, you can have your Birkie Gear Bag mailed to you for $11. Deadline to claim your Birkie Bag is March 31, 2020. Bags will be mailed at the end of March 2020. You must click here to request to have your Birkie Gear Bag mailed to you.  

Bus service runs continuously to the start from the skier parking lot at Birkie Ridge.  Buses will pick up skiers and spectators and shuttle directly to the start from 8:00 am – 12:30 pm. Please allow 30 minutes to bus to the start.  **Parking at the start is by permit only.**

Buses from the Finish in downtown Hayward will bring you back to Birkie Ridge parking lot from 12:30 – 5:00 pm.

Race Schedule:  Friday, February 21

The race is run according to the rules and regulations of the FIS and any special requirements stated in the entry form, Birch Scroll, this web site, www.birkie.com and participant race instructions. Offenses against any of these rules may lead to disqualification for current or future events and the forfeiture of any and all awards.

All participants in the Birkebeiner must be 18 years of age by February 22, 2020. Kortelopet skiers must be 13 years of age by February 21, 2020. There are no refunds allowed for any reason including race cancellation. Entry fees are non-transferable between individuals or to future races.

Participants who complete an event for which they are not registered (for example – ski the skate course when they registered for classic) will be credited for completing the race but will not be given a finish time, will not be eligible for awards and will not be included in the official results.

Clothing Bag Procedures: policies for using the clothing transport from the start to the finish

Participant Rules.

NEW IN 2020! Trash Penalty. There will be “Last Chance” garbage disposal areas as you leave aid stations at all 2020 races.  Any skier caught throwing waste on the trail or into the woods between aid stations could be assessed a 15 minute penalty. Violators should be reported by bib number via email at birkie@birkie.com or to a volunteer at the next aid station.  Read more in the Participant rules above.

Cut-Off Times

Cut-off times for races must be strictly followed for the safety of participants and volunteers.  Participants not following guidance from Medical Staff and Race Chiefs will risk penalty and possible ineligibility for future Birkie Events.

Kortelopet Skate and Classic Overall Awards

The top three male and female finishers across the line in both skate and classic will be awarded Championship plaques at the Kortelopet Award Ceremony in the Celebration Plaza in Hayward at 12:45 pm on Friday.

Wave Winner Awards

Top male and female Korte skiers in each wave: Skate & Classic Waves 1, 2, 3, 4, U20, Wave 70. How to claim your award: On race day, check Korte “Wave Winners” results online, then go directly to the Clif Lodge on the corner of Main Street by the Birkie Bridge (hours: Friday – 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Saturday – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm).

U20 Scholarship Awards

The top three U20 Boy and U20 Girl finishers in the Korte Skate and Korte Classic will receive a scholarship that can be applied to US Ski & Snowboard or US Ski & Snowboard regional partner training camps or competition trips that occur AFTER the Kortelopet race (and within 1 year of receiving the award). Eligible camps and trips include:

• National Training Group Camps
• Regional Elite Group Camps
• Regional Open Camps
• World Junior Championships
• U18 Scandinavian Cup Trip, OPA Cup Trip
• USA Junior National Championships
• NENSA U16 Championships.

The scholarship payment has to be sent directly to the organization (NOT the athlete) that is hosting the camp/competition.  The scholarship winner must communicate with the Birkie (contact john.oman@birkie.com) the name, email address, physical address, and phone number of the organization.

Scholarship amounts are:

• 1st Place $500
• 2nd Place $300
• 3rd Place $100

Finisher Recognition

Skiers finishing their first Kortelopet will receive a medal at the Finish.

Skiers who have completed more than one Kortelopet will receive a pin indicating the number of Kortelopets they have finished.

Age Class Awards

Age class awards will be awarded to the top three males and females, in both the freestyle and classic races, in each of the following age classes. Awards are based on the participants net time (finish arrival time minus start time).

13-14, 15-16, 17-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, and 85-89.

10 Year Recognition

Kortelopet Skiers who finish their 10th race will be rewarded with a personalized commemorative plaque.

View Kortelopet Results »

Worldloppet is an international association of long distance ski races, created in 1979 from the inspiration of American Birkebeiner creator, Tony Wise. The Birkie is among the nine races that comprised the founding events, which have grown to 20 races on five continents.

Worldloppet Ambassadors

There are many Birkie Skiers who have experience traveling to races around the globe. If you are interested in a particular race or just about the WL in general, we can connect you with someone who can share their experience with you and help to plan a trip. Click Here to submit an inquiry.

Passports

Tens of thousands of skiers around the world record their finishes of the Worldloppet Competitions in a special Passport. Finishers of the Korte  Skate or Classic can have their passport stamped for Worldmaster Silver credit  or purchase a new passport  following the race on Saturday or on Sunday.

Worldloppet passports may also be purchased on-line by clicking HERE. If you have completed a Birkie or Korte  in the past, you can request that a stamped passport be mailed to you at any time. Cost of new passports are $35.

Worldloppet Breakfast

All are welcome to join Worldloppet Skiers, Delegates from other Worldloppet Competitions ,and honored guests at the Worldloppet Breakfast held 8:00 am, Friday, February 22nd.  More information and registration details coming soon.

Lodging

For lodging information, see our Lodging page.

Camp Birkie Childcare

The First Lutheran Church will provide childcare on Friday, Feb. 21st and/or Saturday, Feb. 22nd.

For information on Camp Birkie, click here.

Skiers, whether elite or citizen, count on spectators to cheer them on as they set their sights on the finish line. Just when they think they’re fading, spectators provide an emotional lift that encourages them along their way. Catch Korte Fever!

Watch, cheer and ring cowbells for skiers.

FINISH LINE – MAIN STREET, HAYWARD
Join the celebration  at the People’s Bank Midwest Celebration Plaza on Main Street between 3rd and 4th Streets beginning at 10:00 am. The first finishers are welcomed with the ringing of the church bells as they come off of Lake Hayward on to Main Street at approximately 11:30 am. Good viewing is possible along the length of Main Street.

Parking is available at designated parking lots with shuttle service throughout the day. There is limited street parking with in the downtown area, respect the parking direction signs and utilize the parking lots.

NEW IN 2020! There will be no spectator crosswalks on Main St.  The only pedestrian crossings will be under the International Bridge across Hwy 63 at the bottom of Main St.  There will be signs directing pedestrian traffic.  Please keep this in mind and plan accordingly.

Check back soon to get this year’s wax recommendations from our sponsors — Swix, New Moon, Gear West, Start, and BNS.

Future Birkie Week Dates:

2021: February 25 – 27

2022: February 24 – 26

2023: February 23 – 25