FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MATT LIEBSCH WINS MAYOR’S CHALLENGE CROSS COUNTRY SKI RACE

Minneapolis, MN -- Matt Liebsch of Orono, Minnesota, showed top form in both cross country skiing disciplines over the weekend, taking first place in the 10k classic and the 15k freestyle at the Mayor’s Challenge, which is part of The Tour de Twins Cities and the USSA SuperTour. The event took place at Wirth Park in Minneapolis, MN. In the freestyle event on Sunday, he caught the current national champion Tad Elliot, who started :15 in front of Matt.

Liebsch, already well-known for winning The American Birkebeiner in 2009 as the first American to do so in 17 years, is off to a stellar season. He skied to a second place finish in the 15 kilometer men’s freestyle competition at the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships in Rumford, Maine on January 5th and won the 42k freestyle race at the SISU Ski Fest in Ironwood, Michigan, on January 14, 2012.

“It meant a great deal to win both the classic and skate events with my family and home-town friends cheering me on. I would like to thank the Team Birkie members for yells of encouragement during the race and Team Birkie Coach Jacob Beste for all his help this year,” said Liebsch.

“Matt had a strong performance at Nationals, which was bitter sweet since he was ill,” said Liebsch’s coach, Jacob Beste. “It’s great to see him healthy and showing the results he is capable of achieving. His training has been meaningful and it appears that the plan is working.”

Liebsch, who works full-time and is married with two children is supported in part by Team Birkie, a team of masters skiers who believe in making Olympic Dreams come true by supporting elite athletes and in growing and energizing the sport of Nordic skiing by giving kids from low-income families the opportunity to ski and learn the tools they need to achieve their individual “Olympic-level” dreams.

For more information on Matthew Liebsch and Team Birkie please contact: Bruce Wain at 440-343-4628.