NewAmerican Birkebeiner Coverage
February 22, 2025In another low-snow winter, the ABSF crew pulled off an amazing feat running the American Birkebeiner full course: Cable to downtown Hayward on Saturday. Cold weather of the week gave way to warming temps as the thermometer reached near freezing by the afternoon. The men's race was remarkably unremarkable as France Gerard Agnellet broke away around the mid-point and captured his second title in four appearances. David Norris was the best of the US, taking second place nearly 1:30 back, with Michael Earnhart in third. The women's finish was far more exciting as a pack of six hit the streets of Hayward. Sydney Palmer-Leger started the sprint early and held off Jessica Yeaton and Lauren Jortberg for the victory. Two veteran multi-time champions had the top Midwest top results with Caitlin Gregg scoring an impressive 4th (just three seconds off the podium) and Matt Liebsch coming in 6th. In the classic marathon, Czech Fabian Stocek dominated the competition winning by over 15 minutes, youngster Paavo Rova second and Andrew Tilman third. Lily Hubanks was the women's champion with Hannah Olson second and high school skier Della Bettendorf third. Results linked in, along with some photos from Jackie Schneider.
NewKortelopet Results
February 21, 2025The Kortelopet races on Friday proved big drama on Main Street as the men's skate race came down to a sprint finish with Eli Andre just holding off the late charge by James Kyes for the victory, Bridger Nelson coming in just a few seconds later in third. Kristen Monahan used some veteran skills to breakaway from Helen Townley to solo in for the women's title, as Anna Peikert scored third. In the classic race, Anna Gilmer pulled ahead of Claire Swanson for the women's crown, Annelise Baird rounding out the podium in third. And on the men's striding side, perennial Korte champ Murray Carter claimed another title with Hayward's own Neel Dums second and Peter Hackney in third.
Weekend Skiing and Trail Reports
February 20, 2025Could be one of the best skiing weekends of the season - get out and explore some new trails! New reports from Lester, Rainbow2, Snowflake, Central Gunflint2, Highland National GC2, Moccasin, Theodore Wirth North, Willow River SP, Wolverine, Woodland4, Highland 9-hole GC, CLCF, ABR, Raven, McNaughton Lake, Copper Falls SP, Robert Ney, Giants Ridge, Timberland Hills, Minocqua Winter2, Superior MF, Reid GC, Soaring Eagle, Nine Mile Forest, McMiller, Greenbush2, Saux Head, Blue Hills2, Reforestation Camp, Aurora, Portage, Neshota, Lapham Peak2, East Frazee, Hiawatha GC, Jay Cooke SP, Nashotah, Mt. Ashwabay, Battle Creek West, Balsam Branch, Upper Gunflint, Andes Tower Hill, Magney-Snively, Chomonix GC, Zillmer2, Elm Creek, Black Bay, Razorback Ridges, Vadnais/Sucker Lakes, Bagley Nature, Spirit Mtn, Hilly Haven GC, Upper Spirit Mtn, Movil Maze, Vasaloppet, McCarthy, Univ of Minnesota Cloquet Forestry and recent reports from Reforestation Camp, Maplelag, Woodland2, ABR, Chain of Lakes, Gov Thompson SP, Wolf Lake, Lake Elmo, Hyland Lake3, Standing Rocks, Giants Ridge, Elver, Wintergreen, Flambeau Hills2, Madeline Lake, Escanaba, Mount Itasca, Greenbush3, WinMan, McMiller, Black's Grove, Rainbow, Whitefish Dunes SP, Andes Tower Hill2, Nordic, Bird Lake, Trade River, Elm Creek, Balsam Branch, William O'Brien SP, Vadnais/Sucker Lakes, Sheboygan Jaycee, Zillmer, CLCF, Levis/Trow Mound, Mt. Ashwabay, Wild River SP2, Maple Lane, Brunet Island SP, Banadad, Mukwonago, Alder Pond, Rock Lake, Gamehaven, Boulder Lake, Columbia GC, Jay Cooke SP, Mt. Valhalla, Graystone, Tamarack Nature, UW-Parkside, Jack Lake, Grass Lake, Larson Lake, Snowflake, Reid GC, Ashland, North End, McComb, Drummond, Nine Mile Forest, Forestview Middle School, Mirror Lake SP, Lapham Peak, Marshfield School Forest, Lodi, Minocqua Winter2, Brown Deer.
Team Birkie at the World Championships
February 20, 2025The FIS Nordic Ski World Championships in Trondheim, Norway, kicks off on next Wednesday, Feb 26th, and Team Birkie is well represented with five athletes officially been named to World Championship teams. Check out the schedule and support these skiers on their journey!
MCSA Midwest Collegiate Cup: Regional Championships Update
February 19, 2025Heading into the homestretch of their season, the Midwestern Collegiate Ski Association (MCSA) held its Regional Championships in Rhinelander, WI this past weekend. Serving as the penultimate stop for the Midwest Collegiate Cup, and also as a qualifier for USCSA Nationals, their was plenty on the line over the two days of competitions, but no team was more up to the task than St. Olaf who swept the men's and women's individual and team titles. Find out how the rest of the field fared, and what to expect heading into the last leg of the Midwest Collegiate Cup, in the latest report from Luke Dykowski.
Madhus: Camp Norway at the Birkie
February 19, 2025Five major Norwegian ski brands including Madshus will showcase innovations at the 2025 American Birkebeiner through "Camp Norway," offering gear testing, Norwegian treats, and outdoor experiences outdoors near the expo area.
Plenty of Snow for the Great Bear Chase March 8th
February 18, 2025Organizers report plenty of snow and expect to run all their races: 20km and 50km skiathlons, and separate classic and freestyle races of 10km, 25km, and 50km, on March 8th. Registration is still open for some events.
US Ski Team: World Championships Team Announced
February 17, 2025With Period III of the World Cup circuit officially a wrap, the US Ski Team announced their lineup on Monday of who will be making the trip to Trondheim for the World Ski Championships in a week's time. Included on the roster were four Midwesterners to keep any eye out for when the kicks off next week: Jessie Diggins, Alayna Sonnesyn, Kevin Bolger, and Zak Ketterson.
DXC Birkie Bus Option
February 17, 2025Again this year, Duluth XC is offering same day bussing to Korte and Birkie events, allow skiers/spectators to stay in Duluth and avoid the logistics hassle in Hayward. Limited openings available, book your seat now!
Coleraine JNQ Classic Interval Start Results
February 16, 2025Junior National Qualifying wrapped up Sunday with interval start classic races in some crisp temperatures at Mt. Itasca, in Coleraine, MN. In the 10K U20/U18 Men's race, Anders Westanmo (Loppet Nordic Racing, U20) won by over 30 seconds, followed by Eddie Snider (Minneapolis Ski Club, U20) in second and Peter Hackney (Loppet Nordic Racing, U18) in third. For the 10K U20/U18 Women's race, Chloe Angerman (Loppet Nordic Racing, U20) took first place, followed by U18 finishers Elsa Lindfors (Endurance United) and Avery Rich (Loppet Nordic Racing). Aksel Skustad (Ely Nordic) and Evie Malec (Loppet Nordic Racing) won the U16 5K races.
World Cup Falun: Freestyle Distance; Diggins and Schumacher Share the Spotlight Again
February 16, 2025Just over a year after they shared the spotlight in Minneapolis, Jessie Diggins and Gus Schumacher made a triumphant return to the podium on Sunday going 1-2 in the day's mass-start 20K freestyle event. Skiing strategically, Schumacher kept it close in the men's race, sticking with the leaders throughout and making a move when it mattered to go neck and neck to the line with Norway's Paal Goldberg. Goldberg would ultimately edge him out, but Schumacher earned a historic second place finish for his efforts, a best ever result for the US men at that distance. Diggins also left it late in the women's race, but managed to create enough separation from the rest of the field heading into the homestretch that she could comfortably collapse after finishing first. The impressive showing by the US didn't end there though as Julia Kern crossed the line shortly afterwards, finishing a career-best 6th. Completing the podium in the women's race were Heidi Weng of Norway and Ebba Anderson of Sweden, while Harald Oestberg Amundsen claimed the final spot on the men's podium. A thrilling conclusion to Period III of the circuit, World Championships medals will be on the line when the World Cup next convenes less than two weeks out in Trondheim, Norway.
Skinnyski FAQ
December 4, 2011We've collected together a bunch of common questions to assembly our own FAQ for cross-country skiing in the Midwest and using the Skinnyski website.
Skinnyski Photos
February 5, 2009Found a photo you'd like to get a copy of? Looking for images from a past event? Find out how to dig through our archives and help support the web site by purchasing photographs.
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