Registration for the 2014 Swix American Birkebeiner officially closed October 8, 2013, at 2:00 pm (CST) as the Birkebeiner 50/54K and Kortelopet 23K events reached a combined total of 10,000 skiers and an historic new race cap. Another first, this is again the earliest in the 41-year history of the American Birkebeiner that registration for the Birkie and Korte has closed.

“We are excited to welcome all these participants, their families, and friends to the 2014 event. It is shaping up to be a fantastic year! Let the training begin!" said Ben Popp, Executive Director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. Each year the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation has allowed more skiers to participate and done this at a rate that allows the ABSF to assure a great experience for all involved. The first year registration closed earlier than January was the 2012 Birkie, when registration closed on November 21. This was the first year the ABSF set and reached a predetermined cap. Then, registration for the 2013 Birkebeiner closed on October 15. This year, even with registration opening in June rather than in April as it typically does--because of the transition to all-online registration--it still closed in just over four months.

More skiers means more volunteers, bananas, oranges, the list goes on. The American Birkebeiner, like other events in the international Worldloppet series of ski marathons, is a citizen race. It's all about creating a very special experience for skiers of all ages and abilities, from the elite to the 10th waves. "The ABSF welcomes all those returning skiers and many skiers that we know are new to the Birkie and to the sport of cross country skiing!" added Popp.

12K Skiers Still Welcome to Register

The Prince Haakon 12K, which also takes place on February 22, is a great entry-level event for skiers who want to be part of the Birkie party at the start line but are looking for a more recreational distance. There are still slots open for this event. giving new skiers a chance to sign up even once the ski season gets underway.

Help for Those Who Did Not Get Into the Birkie or Korte

Once registration for the American Birkebeiner and Kortelopte races closed on October 8, our Birkie "Skiers for Cures" charitable partner, JDRF, opened up sign-up for 50 "Second Chance" entries. You simply fundraise a minimum of $500 for JDRF and you get one of these entries that you can use for either the Birkie or the Korte. The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation started making this fundraising-for-entries opportunity available when we supported Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as our charitable partner, and now as we work with JDRF, which researches treatments and a cure for type 1 and type 2 diabetes. To Sign up for one of these 50 spots, go directly to www.jdrf.org/birkie.
Make your skiing count for even more this year!

Come experience the Birkie events as a volunteer. “Birkie Fever” takes many forms. There are lots of positions and ways to help, inside and outside, for a couple of hours or a couple of days—there are many options. Contact the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation office at 715-634-5025 or email birkie@birkie.com.

Questions? Call 715-634-5025. Or, email registration or skier confirmation questions to
registration@birkie.com.

Thanks to our Sponsors: The 2014 Swix American Birkebeiner events on February 22 are co-presented by Marshfield Clinic - Hayward Center / Kortelopet, and Timber Ford / Prince Haakon.

Contributed by: American Birkenbeiner