The American Birkebeiner
Competing through grueling physical activity for thirty-four miles in one day…lasting anywhere from two to eight hours…earning icy hair, tear-filled eyes, and stab wounds from poles…developing wet socks and runny noses…digging down to every last bit of energy hill after hill, amongst eight thousand others. This is only a portion of what one would experience at the Birkebeiner (also known as the Birke). The Birke is a premier ski race in northern Wisconsin, well-known all over the world and skied by a diverse group of people. This ski race has a unique history and heritage, drastically contrasting the first, 1973 race and the more current Birkebeiner. The first race of the American Birkebeiner, originated from the Birkebeiner Rennet in Lillehammer, Norway. Norway’s Birkebeiner is a commemoration for the thirteenth century civil war. Invaders attempted to capture an infant prince and heir to the throne in 1206. Two Viking warriors, known as “Birkebeiners” for the birch bark leggings they wore, rescued the baby and skied fifty-five kilometers to safety. The infant later became a great Norwegian king, Haakon Haakonson (American Birkebeiner 2). The history of Haakon inspired the first Birkebeiner sk
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2468
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)
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