American Birkebeiner

Jager and Sonnesyn triumph at today’s American Birkebeiner 2026

February 21, 2026

Today the American Birkebeiner was the second Worldloppet event taking place this weekend. While in Europe, the Polish Bieg Piastow celebrated its 50th anniversary, the Amercian Birkebeiner has welcomed the thousands of skiers in Hayward, Wisconsin. Even tough the weather conditions over the past days caused some troubles for the organizers the race days were perfect. Today the skiers have enjoyed a well prepared race course between Cable and Hayward under sub-zero degrees.

A combination of recent weather changes including a week-long warm-up with rain followed by freezing temperatures provided fast snow conditions for the 52nd American Birkebeiner. Luke Jager out of Anchorage, Alaska took first in the men’s 50-kilometer race with a time of 1:50:45 – a new course record. 

Full pictures Gallery

“I’ve never skied conditions like this at the Birkie,” said Alayna Sonnesyn the winner of the women’s 50-kilometer race, who also won the Kortelopet in 2012-14 and American Birkebeiner races in 2019, 2021-23. With her win today, Sonnesyn tied Caitlin Gregg with the most American Birkebeiner wins, totaling five. Between her Kortelopet & Birkebeiner wins, Sonnesyn has the most wins out of any American Birkebeiner skier. “It was so fast…. grooming was impeccable by the ABSF [American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation].” 

American Birkebeiner 2026 Resutls Men

In a thrilling final fight among 10 skiers it were the US athletes showing their strength, above all Luke Jager from Alaska.

  1. Luke Jager (USA) 1:50:44.95
  2. Michael Ernhart (USA) 1:50:45.41
  3. Benjamin Dohlby (USA) 1:50:45.72

American Birkebeiner 2026 Results Ladies

Also the ladie’s competition was decided only on the finish stretch on Hayward mainstreet, seeing Alayna Sonnesyn – who is well used to the Birkie podium already – as winner 2026. Only a blink of an eye behind her, German Anna-Maria Dietze became second and Emma Reeder third.

  1. Alayna Sonnesyn (USA) 2:08:09.61
  2. Anna-Maria Dietze (GER) 2:08:09.97
  3. Emma Reeder (USA) 2:08:12.56

Full Results

The Classic Technique races were won by Fabian Stocek and Hannah Rudd. In total, nearly 12,000 skiers participated in Birkie Week events. 

The Birkie Week of events culminates on Sunday, February 22 with an on-snow demo day at Mt. Telemark Village in Cable. This event is an opportunity to demo ski equipment from the world’s finest manufacturers. 

The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF) would like to recognize the commitment of the Hayward and Cable communities, their staff, the thousands of volunteers and greater global skiing community that make Birkie Week possible.  “There isn’t another event like this in the world,” said Ben Popp, ABSF Executive Director and Worldloppet President.  “We can’t wait to celebrate the 53rd   anniversary of the American Birkebeiner in 2027. Our planning starts on Monday.” 

photos: James Netz

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