Opening ceremonies marked the first of many events that will take place in Hayward and Cable from February 22-24. Nearly 9,000 skiers and 20,000 spectators are expected to participate in Salomon Elite Sprints, Sons of Norway/Swiss Miss Barnebirkie, Junior Birkie, Hayward Chamber of Commerce Citizen Sprints, Chequamegon Telephone Cooperative 10K Family Fun Race, the 51K Johnson Bank American Birkebeiner, and the 23K Kortelopet.

Schneider, who was selected to carry the torch because he exemplifies the Birkie spirit, walked down Main Street behind a procession of Hayward Elementary fifth grade students who carried the flags of Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, France, Estonia, Germany, Austria, Finland, Italy, Japan, Canada, Australia, Czech Republic and the United States -- the 14 countries that are part of a Worldloppet series of international ski marathons.

After the U.S. and Norwegian flags were moved to center stage and the two national anthems sung by the Hayward High School Banner Singers, Norwegian Consulate General Ole Overaas said he was pleased to be at the American Birkebeiner and honored that the race was named after a historic event that took place in his country more than 800 years ago.

He described the 57 kilometer trek of two soldiers, nicknamed "birkebeiners" for the birch bark leggings they wore, as they skied over the mountains to bring the Norwegian infant prince and future king, Hakon Hakonsson, to safety. Several races including the American Birkebeiner have been patterned after the event.

"I am so glad that you have the Barnebirkie for children because they are the future of the sport," he said. "They will see that skiing is not just exercise but a way to get closer to nature, a way to feel and hear the sounds of the forest."

More than 1,300 children ages 3-13 participated in the race later that day. Each earned a medal, a cup of Swiss Miss hot chocolate, and as many cookies as their parents would allow them to eat.

Elite athletes had a chance to warm-up before Saturday's big race by competing in Salomon Elite Sprints, head to head competition between the top athletes in the world. Twenty-one men and 12 women competed for prize money of $500 for first place, $300 for second, and $200 for third. The men rounded the two block course in 46 seconds, the women in 51 seconds.

In the men's division, Giannantonia Zanetel from Italy took first place, followed by Stanislav Rezac of the Czech Republic in second and Nathan Schultz of the United States in third.

In the women's division, Antonina Ordina of Sweden took first, Devon Crawford of the United States second, and Coreen Woodbury of the United States third.

Additional shorter races, sprint events, Birkie seminars, on-snow demos and the American Birkebeiner Ski Fair continue all day Friday. Festivities culminate with Saturday's 2001 Johnson Bank American Birkebeiner and 23 Kortelopet. The Birkebeiner is part of a Worldloppet series of 14 international ski marathons, part of the International Ski Federation (FIS) Marathon Cup series and part of the American Ski Marathon series. Registration continues until 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 23.

For more information or to register for the 51K Johnson Bank American Birkebeiner, 23K Kortelopet, Hayward Chamber of Commerce Citizen Sprints, Junior Birkie, or Chequamegon Telephone 10K call 715-634-5025, e-mail [email protected], or log on to www.birkie.com.

Birkie 2001 is sponsored by Johnson Bank, Subaru, Murphy McGinnis Media and other businesses throughout the region and country.