Race of the week: American Birkebeiner

This week, we have another cross country ski race as our star event. The American Birkebeiner is the biggest cross country ski race in North America and it takes place now in late February. The festival actually starts today, Thursday, but the main race is on Saturday.

For the main race, participants have a choice of skiing either 50 km freestyle or 54 classic style. Both start in Cable, Wisconsin, and finish in Hayward. On the days leading up to the main race, there is a variety of events on offer, including shorter distance races, childrens' races, etc.

When I skied the American Birkebeiner, or Birkie as most people simply call it, some years ago, the freestyle race and the classic race were the same distance and on the same course, with the classic track just put near the edge of the course. I remember how impressed I was over the fact that those who were doing the race freestyle totally respected the rights of the classic skiers, and were very careful not to skate on the classic track.

Since then, the organizers have been working hard to further improve the conditions for the classic skiers. According to the course map for this year's edition of the race, more than half of the course is on separate tracks for classic and freestyle. This separation has left the classic part some 4 km longer than the freestyle part.

The small village of Hayward is the main center of the American Birkebeiner. I would advise everyone to try to find accommodation in or near that village if possible. The atmosphere there during the Birkie festival is hard to describe, but believe me, it is absolutely wonderful. Everyone is living and breathing this event, where ever you go people are asking you about the race, giving you advise etc. It is such friendly surroundings that you cannot avoid smiling the whole day and even in your sleep as well.

Everything about the race itself is also very well organized, whether it is the transport to the start area, the preparation of the track, the feeding stations, information for participants before and after the race ... it is all first class. The spectators along the track are also very lively and very helpful as they cheer you on. It still puts smile on my face when I think about the spectators who filled me with energy as I struggled my way up the notorious "Bitch Hill". 

I would definitely recommend that all cross country skiers try the Birkie. It is easily on the top-three list of my favorite ski races. Organization, atmosphere and the whole experience in general, it is all top class.

For advise on traveling to the Birkie, and more races, see www.worldloppetskier.com.