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 Birkeb
Rudolph, Ron "Last Runs." Snow Country summer 19995: 1pp. On-line. Internet. Technique when skiing this far is a necessity. It allows one to ski faster with the same amount of effort. Training is equally important; the main objective of this preparation is motivation (American Birkebeiner video). Many Birkebeiner skiers have trainers, use roller skis in the off-season, and run to prepare for this race (American Birkebeiner video). Steve Schieffer, a Nordic ski coach stated, "Some skiers ski up to one hundred kilometers a week to prepare for the Birkebeiner." However, many skiers fail to add in this ingredient for the recipe. Schieffer reminisced of the time he met a man from Texas who was buying skis the night before the Birkebeiner (Shieffer interview). Your bib is included when you pay your fee. Your entry fee also includes ski stickers, refreshments along the course, bus transportation, transportation of gear, first aid, waxing, medals, pins, prizes, and publication. Birke skiers also receive the Birch Scroll with results from the race. June 16 to October 15 the fee is seventy dollars; from October 16 to January 15, 2000, the fee is ninety dollars. Entering the Birkebeiner from February 20 to 25 will require racers to pay a one hundred dollar entry fee. A fee schedule is provided on entry forms (Kuznia 10). Fees vary according to time of registration. For the upcoming race, Birkebeiner fees range from sixty to one hundred dollars. The fee until June 15 is sixty dollars, from Ski Magazine February. 1997: 1-2. On-line. Internet. 20 Oct. 1999. Schieffer, Steve. Personal interview. 20 October. 1999. Jim Shcultz admitted, "To some, it's the most important day of the year." He skis the Birke every year (3). Skiing for this long is like a difficult recipe. Challenging. It takes many ingredients to be combined correctly. "You can train, use the right equipment, and hit the right wax, but if you don't have the engine, you'll never be fast," Steve Chiodo rhymed. He is a forty-year old, first wave skier, having skied sixteen Birkebeiners...a man with experience (Slough 3). This organization presents the best Nordic ski races in the world. Ken Kuznia stated, "Each race must meet vigorous requirements to earn a World Loppet sanction" (8). The Birkebeiner has not only met these requirements it has become the largest of the fourteen races (Johnson 1). In 1998 over 53,000 skiers participated in the fourteen World Loppet races. A seventy-seven year old participant's goal is to ski all fourteen (American Birkebeiner video). The Birkebeiner is a freestyle race, not only separated by the elite, but also the style of skiers. The classic skiers start on one side and the skate skiers start on the other. An experienced skier exclaimed about the start, "There are no quail in the Birkebeiner, only falcons." No one lets anyone pass, and skiers are advised to protect their poles from being broken by other aggressive skiers (Slough 4). The Birkebeiner contains many elements of hazard, but is worth it (American Birkebeiner video). Hurley, Dave. "A Ski Race Just for Kids." Children's Playmate Magazine January February. 1995: 1-2. On-line. Internet. 20 October. 1999. Kelly, Tom. Birke Fever. Wisconsin: Specialty Press Publishers and Wholesalers, Incorporated, 1982. Every February thousands of people, from many countries, come to Wisconsin for the Birkebeiner alone (Hurley 1). Skiers from fifty states and twenty foreign countries meet to race (American Birkebeiner 1). The Birkebeiner has been compared to the New York Marathon and the Olympics (American Birkebeiner video). However it differs because
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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