American Birkebeiner

With the recent cancellation of two FIS Worldloppet Cup Races in Estonia and France, the Slumberland American Birkebeiner has been named the next FIS Worldloppet Cup Race. This announcement brings a heightened level of excitement to the already fever-pitch brewing around the American Birkebeiner, North America’s largest cross-country ski race. Despite the late change of venue, the world’s best long distance skiers are travelling to USA to fight for precious points in the 51 km skating race. Weather has been amazingly wintery in Hayward, hence the tracks are perfectly prepared and promising a fair and good competition. 

“The American Birkebeiner is a great race and loved by athletes. It is definitely the best substitute for Tartu Maraton, as it has a similar course, just in different technique,” stated Epp Paal, FIS Worldloppet Cup Race Coordinator.

Among the number one favourites for the victory, there are several nations: Of course France with the current FIS Worldloppet Cup leader Bastien Poirrier and his team mates Benoit Chauvet and Adrien Mougel. The Italian Sergio Bonaldi is also well known in the FIS Worldloppet Cup circuit but also at American Birkebeiner as he won the last two editions and he will try to 3-peat. Another very hot candidate is the big Canadian Worldcup-skier Ivan Babikov, same counts for Kris Freeman, one of the best US-skiers. With Petter Soleng Skinstad there is also a big chance that the victory in this years American Birkebeiner goes to Norway. 

The initial situation in the women’s race is similar to the men: Aurelie Dabudyk (FRA) on top of the overall ranking will be the chased one. Chased by her team mate and second overall, Elisa Brocart from Italy, by the bronze medalist from 2006 Turin, Antonella Confortola (ITA) and by another bronze medalist (2015) from USA Caitlin Gregg who won the Birkie already two times.

The highlights of the race will be shown on Worldloppet TV on Sunday 8:00pm CET on the Worldloppet-Website. 

The festival events around the American Birkebeiner Marathon – the 5th FIS Worldloppet Cup stage – on Saturday the 20th of February stated yesterday with one of the biggest expos in Worldloppet, a giant-ski race and the official opening ceremony with torch lightning. Today the junior race, a family race, a history race and other competitions standing on the scedule and tomorrow it’s show down: The 5th stage of FIS Worldloppet Cup with the 51 km skating race. The weather was good the last days and the tracks are in a very good condition. For today rain was forecasted but so far it is dry and if it really should start to rain: the tracks have a strong basis, so nothing stands between the skiers and a great American Birkebeiner 2016. 

The last highlight of the festival in Hayward will be on Sunday evening, the North America premiere of the norwegian feature film about the legend of Birkebeiner race: BIRKEBEINERNE.