Team Sports Events, race promoters of the 24 Hours of 9 Mile Mountain Bike Team Relay, will be organizing and running America's first ever 24 hour cross country ski race. Tom Schuler, President of Team Sports, Inc. and longtime elite level American Birkebeiner skier, feels there is a great connection between the cross country ski and mountain bike communities and sees this event as an ideal fit after the success of recent 24 hour mountain bike races. Schuler said, "There has never been a cross country ski event like this in America. The time is right and it will be very well received by cross country skiers everywhere."

The race will be held on a challenging 10-km course on the trails of Telemark Resort. Telemark, legendary for hosting the American Birkebeiner ski marathon, will be the perfect setting for the 24 Hours of Telemark according to Phil Van Valkenberg, Telemark's Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations. Van Valkenberg comments, "Telemark Resort owners and staff are really excited about the 24 Hours of Telemark. Our goal is to re-establish Telemark as the nation's premier cross country ski destination and partnering with Team Sports Events is an ideal step in that direction. Their expertise brings the professionalism needed to organize and promote such an innovative event."

24-hour racing originally began with mountain biking, when race promoter, Granny Gear Productions held the first 24-hour mountain bike race in West Virginia in 1992. Eight years later, the 24-hour racing format has caught the silent sports community by storm with over 30 races currently held throughout North America every year. It is not only the thrill of competing for 24 hours, but the teamwork and camaraderie that is needed to complete a 24-hour race, that keeps racers coming back year after year.

"At 24 hour mountain bike races, teams come in with all their camping gear and set up their own little neighborhoods," commented Schuler. "The same camaraderie will continue, as skiers will set up their team camps at their rooms or condos at the Telemark Resort."

Telemark Resort has set aside a block of rooms for the 24 Hours of Telemark weekend with special room rates of: $60 double, $70 triple, $80 quad occupancy. A small number of condominiums have also been set aside for the event. A central waxing room will also be provided throughout the race weekend. Room reservations must be made by December 13 to guarantee your spot. Skiers are also encouraged to stay Sunday night to relax and take advantage of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.

Skiers will be able to participate in one of 10 different categories, including a 12-hour race option for those not up to the 24-hour challenge. Categories include:

4 Person 24 Hours Teams Open Older than the Hills (35+ ave. age) Women's Open Coed (must have 1 woman) Olden than Dirt (45+ ave. age) Classic

24 Hours Big Team (up to 6 skiers) Solo

12 Hour Race Juniors (all 18 or under) Open (up to 4 skiers)

Race fees will be: $65 per skier until October 31, $75 per skier from November 1 - November 30, $85 per skier from December 1 - January 13, Juniors (18 and under) $30 at all times. Teams may reserve their spot by paying an entire team fee by the cut off dates listed. If skiers are looking for a team, please contact Team Sports Events and they will set up a team for you or hook you up with an existing team looking for skiers.

Van Valkenberg commented further, "Skiers really make Telemark come alive and we expect the 24 Hours of Telemark to be one of the most festive events of the winter!"

For more information on the 24 Hours of Telemark, please contact Team Sports at: