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25-682: The American Birkebeiner, known colloquially as the Birkie, is held annually in February. The event was founded in 1973 by Tony Wise. Wise, who started the Telemark Ski Area in Cable, Wisconsin , in 1947, helped to popularize modern-day cross-country skiing when he built trails at Telemark in 1972. In February 1973, Wise drew on his Norwegian heritage in starting a race named after a famous event in Norway. The Birkie

50-617: A 50K event. Results are from the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. Telemark Lodge The Telemark Lodge (formally known as the Telemark Resort and Convention Center ) was a resort in the lakes district of Bayfield County, Wisconsin . It was located two miles east of the town of Cable, Wisconsin prior to its demolition in April of 2021. Telemark was founded as an alpine ski area by Tony Wise in 1947, one of

75-441: A snowmobile trail — allowing dozens of snowmobilers to watch and "score" skiers' falls. The trail rises steeply to the crossing of County Road OO (Referred to as "Double-Oh") which, at 22.8 km (14.2 mi), is the unofficial halfway point of the race. Until 2001, the 23 km (14 mi) Kortelopet race ended here but was rerouted back to Telemark after splitting off from the main course at 9 km (5.6 mi). Since 2017,

100-518: Is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin . As of the 2020 census , its population is 16,220. Its county seat is Washburn . The county was created in 1845 and organized in 1850. The Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has a reservation in Bayfield County and is the county's largest employer. Originally, in 1848 it was named La Pointe County, Wisconsin . After Douglas (1854) and Ashland (1860) Counties were split off from

125-441: Is represented at the Birkie. The race weekend also includes the shorter 29 km (18 mi) Kortelopet "Korte" and Prince Haakon 15 km (9.3 mi) events. The American Birkiebeiner Ski Foundation In 2013, registration was capped at 10,000 skiers, with an additional 20,000 spectators on the sidelines cheering on the competitors. The Birkie course is quite hilly and is recognized as one of the more difficult cross country ski marathon courses in

150-499: The 1980s, but declined along with U.S. cross country skiing. The lodge endured four bankruptcies: one in 1984, a second in 1998, and a third in 2010. The third bankruptcy resulted in a foreclosure of the property, and a closure of the resort. It closed on May 5, 2010, and re-opened again in January 2011 after a sale was made that month. Telemark Hospitality LLC then began an extensive remodeling project during 2011. On April 2, 2013, once again

175-541: The Birkebeiner starts every year—completed every Birkie since the first one in 1973. The 2021 Birkie was a shortened 43-kilometer race that took place over the course of February 24–28, 2021. The course was modified as well with skiers starting and finishing at the starting line in Cable, WI. The Birkie reverted to its normal Cable to Hayward format for 2022 with the new addition of an "open track" event where participants could ski

200-562: The Kortelopet is 29 km (18 mi) and begins at OO and finishes on Main Street the day before the 50 km race. Beyond OO the course is less hilly, but by no means flat. After 40 km (25 mi) is the aptly named "Bitch Hill" where spectators cheer skiers up the steepest climb of the race. Several kilometers later (just south of Highway 77) the last lengthy ascents of the race---Sunset Hill & Duffy Hill---challenge tired skiers. From

225-416: The county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (3.9 people/km ). There were 11,640 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 88.46% White , 0.13% Black or African American , 9.39% Native American , 0.27% Asian , 0.01% Pacific Islander , 0.26% from other races , and 1.49% from two or more races. 0.61% of

250-457: The finish line to be moved to a flat field just east of the lake. The race begins with several waves in order to thin skiers out along the course. Alternating skate and classical waves depart every five minutes. New skiers must ski in the last wave unless they use another ski marathon time to qualify for a higher wave. One man—Ernie St. Germaine, a former employee of the Telemark Resort, where

275-574: The first in the United States. A massive lodge was built in 1972 but struggled financially as ski lifts and less costly airfare opened up bigger hills. Telemark added a large facility, the Colosseum, in December 1980, that provided indoor tennis and new facilities for the ski hill and the cross country ski area, which was "partially dismantled" by 1998. The lodge was a cross country ski destination through

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300-413: The high point of the race and a climb of nearly 400 ft (120 m) from the race start. In the early years of the race, the Birkie began with a climb up the alpine slopes of Mount Telemark, mainly as a publicity stunt, but larger field sizes made this impractical. Beyond High Point is a series of downhills, including "Bobblehead Hill" or "Sledder Hill", which has a rather tricky downhill, left turn near

325-523: The original La Pointe County, the remainder was renamed Bayfield County on April 12, 1866. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 2,042 square miles (5,290 km ), of which 1,478 square miles (3,830 km ) is land and 564 square miles (1,460 km ) (28%) is water. It is the third-largest county in Wisconsin by total area and second-largest by land area. Cable Union Airport ( FAA LID : 3CU ) serves Bayfield County and

350-432: The population was 1.7% Hispanic or Latino of any race. As of the 2010 census , there were 15,014 people living in the county. 86.7% were White , 9.6% Native American , 0.3% Asian , 0.3% Black or African American , 0.2% of some other race and 2.9% of two or more races . 1.1% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). As of the census of 2000, there were 15,013 people, 6,207 households, and 4,276 families living in

375-563: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.3% were of German , 10.4% Norwegian , 8.4% Swedish , 6.1% Irish , 5.9% Polish , 5.7% Finnish and 5.0% English ancestry. 96.8% spoke English as their first language. There were 6,207 households, out of which 28.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.90% were married couples living together, 7.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who

400-532: The purchased property (including the lodge itself) to Central Cross Country Ski Association ("CXC") in an effort to preserve the start location of the American Birkebeiner . After years of neglect it was demolished in 2021. Telemark is home to the American Birkebeiner cross-country skiing event founded by Tony Wise in 1973. Tony got his inspiration for the event from Norway's Birkebeiner . The race alone attracts thousands of skiers and spectators to

425-694: The race in a more relaxed manner on the Wednesday before the main race with fewer crowds and more open trail. Despite low snow in 2024, the American Birkiebeiner Ski Foundation created a 10 km (6.2 mi) lapped course. Several races were shortened: The American Birkebeiner was shortened from 50 km (31 mi) to 30 km (18.6 mi), the Kortelopet from 29 km (18 mi) to 20 km (12.4 mi), the Prince Haakon from 15 km (9.3 mi) to 10 km (6.2 mi). The American Birkebeiner Men’s and Women’s Elite Skate race remained

450-513: The resort each year, and in fact is one of the biggest annual events for the resort. Emeril Lagasse was at Telemark Lodge from 1978 to 1980. Other published biographies say he was in New England during that time period. 46°11′24.2″N 91°14′51.5″W  /  46.190056°N 91.247639°W  / 46.190056; -91.247639 Bayfield County, Wisconsin Bayfield County

475-452: The storied Telemark Lodge and its property closed due to various difficulties including a fourth bankruptcy. In October 2013, the lodge was purchased by Newco, a private Colorado-based company, now going by the name of Mount Telemark Properties LLC. However, renovations were too costly and the Lodge was closed for the 2014 winter season. Mount Telemark Properties has reportedly offered part of

500-467: The surrounding communities. As of the census of 2020 , the population was 16,220. The population density was 11.0 people per square mile (4.2 people/km ). There were 13,238 housing units at an average density of 9.0 units per square mile (3.5 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 83.2% White , 10.5% Native American , 0.4% Black or African American , 0.2% Asian , 0.6% from other races , and 5.2% from two or more races. Ethnically,

525-531: The top, Hayward's water tower is a most welcome sight. There are several road crossings and open fields before the skiers cross frozen Lake Hayward . The 4 km (2.5 mi) crossing of the lake is flat, but unprotected from wind. Once off the lake, the trail twists through the outskirts of Hayward on snow trucked in for the event. Over the course of hours, thousands of tired and proud skiers make their way past three blocks of cheering spectators lining Hayward's Main Street. Warm conditions have occasionally required

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550-579: The weight of the young child-prince, Haakon . Skiers from around the world come to Wisconsin for the race. The Birkie has a reputation for attracting skiers of varying ability levels. Olympians, national team members, and foreign professionals have competed in the event, and the Birkie also draws recreational skiers from Wisconsin , Minnesota , and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and countries such as neighboring Canada as well as Norway, Sweden, and other European nations. Typically almost every U.S. state

575-488: The world, despite the fact that there are several WorldLoppet events in Europe that are much longer. The current north–south alignment (used since 1992) has skiers traversing a 2 km (1.2 mi) flat section before turning onto the "Powerline Hills", a series of climbs to the 4.5 km (2.8 mi) mark. The trail then rolls until 12 km (7.5 mi), when Firetower Hill takes competitors to 1,730 ft (530 m),

600-476: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.88. In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 25.20% from 25 to 44, 28.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 102.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.70 males. In 2017, there were 116 births, giving

625-729: Was named after the Birkebeinerrennet race in Norway , which commemorates an important historical event. In 1206 a group of Birkebeiner party soldiers, who fought for Sverre Sigurdsson and his descendants in the Norwegian civil war , smuggled the illegitimate son of Norway's King Håkon Sverresson from Lillehammer to safety in Trondheim . In the Norwegian Birkie, classical ski participants still carry 3.5-kilogram (7.7 lb) packs symbolizing

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