September 10, 2002 (HAYWARD, Wis) – When the cannon sounds for the
American Birkebeiner cross-country ski race on Saturday, February 22,
2003, history will be made. Thirty years of history. What better time,
say organizers of the event, to celebrate the vision of Tony Wise, the
founder of the race, and the spirit of the skiers who make the Birkie an
international event for both elite and recreational skiers?

The American Birkebeiner is North America’s largest and most prestigious
cross-country ski marathon. Spanning 51 kilometers from Cable to Hayward,
it’s one of 14 races that are part of the esteemed Worldloppet
international circuit, part of the International Ski Federation (FIS)
Marathon Cup series and part of the American Ski Marathon series. The
event draws thousands of cross-country skiers, including Olympians, to
northern Wisconsin each year.

The Birkie was launched in 1973 as a small race calling on skiers to
challenge themselves against the Wisconsin north woods. The race was
patterned after the Birkebeiner Rennet in Lillehammer, Norway, an event
which commemorates an historic event in that nation. During a civil war in
the 13th century, an invading force was about to capture an infant prince
and heir to the throne. Two Viking warriors, called “Birkebeiners” for the
birch bark leggings they wore, took the child and skied 55 kilometers to
safety. The baby went on to become a great Norwegian king, Hakon
Hakonsson, and two Birkebeiner ski races were established in his honor.

The first American Birkebeiner attracted 35 individuals – 34 men and one
woman. Eighteen skiers also participated in the shorter 22K women’s and
junior’s race. During the past 30 years nearly 100,000 skiers have
experienced their own victory in finishing a race which welcomes skiers
from all walks of life and all ages and abilities. Skiers from all 50
states and 20 foreign countries gather every February to celebrate and ski
the race which has become the most revered tradition in the cross-country
ski world. For some it’s the competition that grips their souls; for others
it’s the physical and mental challenge of a race on hilly and challenging
terrain; for all it’s the adventure and sense of accomplishment that goes
with completing a personal ski odyssey.

Birkie 2003 30th anniversary festivities begin on Thursday, February 20 and
continue through Saturday, February 22. Highlights include elite and
citizen sprint competitions, the Century Tel Junior Birkie, Chequamegon
Communications 10K, Telemark’s Over the Hill race, and the Sons of
Norway/Swiss Miss Barnebirkie race, the largest children’s cross-country
skiing event in the nation. Anniversary events culminate with the 51K
Johnson Bank American Birkebeiner and 23K Kortelopet.

In addition to ski events for all ages and fitness levels, a candlelight
ski reenactment of the escape of the two Birkebeiners with “Baby Hakon”
will highlight festivities. A 30th anniversary slide show, hot air
balloons, Native American programs and dancers, opening and closing
ceremonies and post-race music by Big Top Chautauqua’s Blue Canvas
Orchestra, sponsored by Lienenkugelís Brewing Company, are among the many
activities planned.

“We have many exciting and fun activities planned for the 30th anniversary
between the Hayward and Cable communities, “says Executive Director
Shirley Riedmann. ìIt’s a celebration of the thousands of skiers from
around the world who will participate in the 2003 race as well as the
thousands who have skied the Birkie or Kortelopet in the past. Spectators
and skiers of all abilities are invited to join us for this year’s
anniversary celebration. We also encourage local businesses to take this
opportunity to become involved in a great community building effort.”

The American Birkebeiner is part of the Worldloppet circuit of 14
international ski marathons held in Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway,
France, Estonia, Germany, Austria, Finland, Italy, Canada, Australia,
Czech Republic and the United States. Worldloppet races attract a cadre of
international skiers to participate in the Birkie.

The Birkie is also part of an International Ski Federation (FIS) Marathon
Cup series of eight races held in Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia,
Germany, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. Created in 1999
through a partnership with the Worldloppet League and the Cross Country
Committee of the International Ski Federation (FIS), the series encourages
higher level competition similar to that found in World Cup events.
Organizers say the addition of an FIS Marathon Cup improves the status of
long distance competitions by attracting more long distance racers.

For more information or to register for the Johnson Bank American
Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, Century Tel Junior Birkie, Chequamegon
Communications 10K, or the Sons of Norway/Swiss Miss Barnebirkie, call
715-634-5025, e-mail <www.birkie.com.

Birkie 2003 is sponsored by Johnson Bank, Subaru, Murphy McGinnis Media
and other businesses throughout the region and country.