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Running Group
Group Name:XC Skiers
Manager:Mr. Bill
Event Day:Saturday
Event Date:February 25th, 2012
Event Time:
Member:Mr. Bill
2012 Birkebeiner
Event: ImageLong-time Birkebeiner admirer, first-time Birkebeiner participant. Been skiing since Peter Block first lent me a pair of skis in 1998... awkwardly chasing his perfect technique... always thrilled by his stories of the Birkie but never confident enough to "give it a go." Finally grew the courage and signed-up for the Birkie on July 31, 2011 (just hours after finishing the "Burning River 100 Mile Endurance Run" where temperatures & conditions were polar opposite).

The Birkie is rich in history and lore... held annually the course traverses hilly trails and a frozen lake from Telemark Lodge near Cable, WI -to- Main Street in downtown Hayward, WI - population 2312. Classical skiers cover 54 kilometers, while Skaters go a total of 50 kilometers.

Ideal weather blanketed the 39th Annual Birkie... light flurries in the early morning hours with temperatures around 10°F gave-way to overcast skies and ~20°F in the afternoon.

Thanks to Tim "Timo" Yanacheck (gregarious ultra runner, RD for Mad City 100K & Kettle 100 Endurance Runs) for setting me up with the tremendous Birke group of: Kay & Harry Lum! Kay & Harry have been Birkiers since the mid-80s, secure lodging for some 18 like-minded, fun, fast skiers... Kay also helps with designs for Birkie posters, stickers, pins and other related graphics (you'll see Kay in the wildest tights tearing-up the trail).
Kay's website:
http://www.klumdesign.com/

Fantastic to carpool with veteran skier Mike Pellikan (finished his 5th Birkie) who knows the backroads of northern Wisconsin like the back of his lobster-claw gloves. Great to see Chicagoan Denis Klepac at the starting corral, and downhill expert Brad Klepac on skinny-skis en-route to Hayward. Awesome to celebrate with Wyoming-ans, classical skiers Norb & Lori Lyle at the finish.

Hoping xc ski zen-Master Peter Block will make the trip next year ;-)

Congratulations to all participants, officials, volunteers, and bartenders of the 39th Annual Birkebeiner / Kortelopet / Prince Haakon!

Here's to a white ribbon of trail that stretches from Cable -to- Hayward, Wisconsin!
Doctor, doctor gimme the news...
I gotta bad need for corduroy-grooves.
Roller-skis cannot cure my ills...
I need a white trail ... with plenty ... of hills.
(with apologies to Moon Martin)

Birkebeiner Website:
http://www.birkie.com/
Click a thumbnail for its larger image.
Race Eve at Telemark Skier Demo Day
Race Eve at Telemark Skier Demo Day
Race Morning Start of the Birkebeiner at Telemark Lodge
Race Morning Start of the Birkebeiner at Telemark Lodge
Race Morning Start of the Birkebeiner at Telemark Lodge
Race Morning Start of the Birkebeiner at Telemark Lodge
Race Morning Start of the Birkebeiner at Telemark Lodge
Race Morning Start of the Birkebeiner at Telemark Lodge
Race Morning Start of the Birkebeiner at Telemark Lodge
Race Morning Start of the Birkebeiner at Telemark Lodge
Race Morning Start of the Birkebeiner at Telemark Lodge
Race Morning Start of the Birkebeiner at Telemark Lodge
Race Morning Start of the Birkebeiner at Telemark Lodge
Race Morning Start of the Birkebeiner : Billy in Wave #9
Race Morning Start of the Birkebeiner : Denis Klepac Serves as Photographer
Race Morning Start of the Birkebeiner : Denis Klepac Serves as Photographer
Race Morning Start of the Birkebeiner : Random Views from the Corral of Wave #9
Race Morning Start of the Birkebeiner : Random Views from the Corral of Wave #9
Race Morning Start of the Birkebeiner : Random Views from the Corral of Wave #9
Race Morning Start of the Birkebeiner : Random Views from the Corral of Wave #9
Birkebeiner Finish on Main St, Hayward : Billy with 1st-Time Finishers Medal
Birkebeiner Finish on Main St, Hayward : Billy with 1st-Time Finishers Medal
Birkebeiner Finish on Main St, Hayward : Billy with 1st-Time Finishers Medal
Post-Race Birkebeiner Celebration in Hayward
Post-Race Birkebeiner Celebration in Hayward
Post-Race Birkebeiner Celebration in Hayward
Post-Race Birkebeiner Celebration in Hayward
Post-Race Birkebeiner Celebration in Hayward
Post-Race Birkebeiner Celebration in Hayward
Post-Race Birkebeiner Celebration in Hayward
Post-Race Birkebeiner Celebration in Hayward
Post-Race Birkebeiner Celebration in Hayward
Post-Race Birkebeiner Celebration in Hayward
Post-Race Birkebeiner Celebration in Hayward
Post-Race Birkebeiner Celebration in Hayward
Post-Race Birkebeiner Celebration in Hayward
Post-Race Birkebeiner Celebration in Hayward
Post-Race Birkebeiner Celebration in Hayward
Post-Race Birkebeiner Celebration in Hayward
Post-Race Birkebeiner Celebration in Hayward
Post-Race Birkebeiner Celebration in Hayward
Message Posted:February 28th, 2012 11:41 am
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