51st Annual Birkebeiner Returns to its Traditional Course

HAYWARD, Wis. — The 51st Annual American Birkebeiner took place this weekend, returning back to its traditional course.

Despite a slow start to the snow season, the finish line made its return to Main Street in Hayward, Wisconsin.

The Birkie as it is widely known, is the largest cross-country ski race in North America.

Traditionally the course runs 31 miles from Cable to Hayward. While, last year, the race was run in short loops within Cable, and required the use of snow guns.

A five time veteran of the race said he was excited the race was back to normal.

“It’s great, I was happy when I heard they were doing the full course, it’s cool they have the option to do the man-made snow, but the full course is the true experience,” skier Peter Carlen said.

The Birkie brings in skiers from around the world to compete in the race.

“I’ve raced all over the world and this is the best atmosphere I’ve ever experienced,” skier Scott Hill said.

“The atmosphere is always incredible. It’s like a beautiful testament to Midwest skiing and skiing in the U.S in general, and a great community. So super fun,” Carlen said.

Scott Hill, who came in 12th in the skate race, has skied in the Birkie three time, and said it’s one of his favorite races.

“I’ve been racing for most of my life. I grew up in the East, in Toronto, Canada, kind of did the local circuits there, all the regional races, and slowly worked my way up race, World Juniors, World Cups and all that. So yeah, I’ve got a lot of racing experience now,” Hill said. “If I’m racing well, I try and race on the World Cup for Canada, but if there’s no World Cup opportunities, I’m always going to come here for sure.”

Many of the skiers, praise the Birkie as having an incredible finish line atmosphere, and that hailed true for the 51st annual race.

“I don’t think I’ve experienced anything like coming down this last 100 meters, even if I’m not leading the race, everyone’s cheering as loud as if I was,” Hill said.

“It’s just a great atmosphere. And it’s like a cool thing to circle on your calendar, and like, have something to work towards. And also, like, all my all my friends from skiing do it. So it’s like, it’s just a cool social thing to train towards with other people,” Carlen said.