tony wise – FasterSkier

The American Birkebeiner at 50

Ben TheyerlFebruary 22, 2024

“You’re skiing along, and you look up at the green of the pines and look down and see golden tamarack needles peeking out of the Wisconsin snow, and you find yourself gliding along thinking, ‘my gosh, how lucky can one guy get…and Go Packers too!” – Grandpa Theyerl, Wisconsinite, Birchlegger. The American Birkebeiner turns 50 years old this weekend. And although it didn’t ask for it, I’m doing some existential rumination on its behalf....

Community Feature News

President Biden Designates National Monument at Camp Hale, Preserving American Ski History

Ben TheyerlOctober 20, 2022

In a ceremony held last week in Colorado’s high country, President Biden proclaimed The Camp Hale – Continental Divide National Monument, the first National Monument designated during his presidency. The ceremony was conducted on the former grounds of Camp Hale deep in the Pando Valley between Leadville and Vail. Camp Hale was the training site of the famous 10th Mountain Division—the “skiing soldiers”—who played a critical role in the Italian theater of World War II....

General News Racing

Telemark’s Future in Flux, Birkie Looks to Buy Land, CXC Backs Training Center Idea

Alex KochonNovember 1, 20134

Just over two weeks ago, the sale of Telemark Resort to the highest bidder -- somewhat of an unknown entity in the Colorado-based Newco, LLC. -- left local stakeholders wary. Would they reopen the historic resort? And what would become of the start of the American Birkebeiner?

General Masters News

Worldloppet Meeting Means Big Things for Smaller Ski Nations, Passport Holders

Alex KochonJune 20, 2013

For the first time in 15 years, the Worldloppet Annual General Meeting returned to where it was essentially born in northern Wisconsin. There, an estimated 45 delegates from 16 nations met to invite four more countries to the party, with Argentina, China, Iceland and New Zealand being granted associate status and their own Worldloppet marathons.

General News

Original Birkie Skier Dies After Bike Accident

Alex KochonAugust 9, 20111

HAYWARD, Wis. — One of three skiers to have raced every American Birkebeiner since its inception in 1973, David Landgraf, 62, died Monday in the hospital after being hit by a motorist while bicycling Friday evening. According to a press release from the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation, Landgraf, of Bloomer, Wis., was hit by a car on Highway 27 in Hayward, the town where he finished 38 consecutive Birkebeiner ski races, a 50-plus kilometer trek...