Warm rays greet 1,800 skiers at the 23rd annual Birkebeiner

EDMONTON – Nearly 1,800 competitors from ages three to 86 were greeted by warm sunshine Saturday at the 23rd annual Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival at Elk Island National Park and the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Area.

The temperature reached upwards of 5 C and that made it more challenging for skiers to choose the appropriate wax for their skis, but nobody complained about having to use the softer Klister wax.

It turned out to be a very fast track. No matter what race they ran or how long it took to complete them everyone left this year’s Birkebeiner with a smile on their face.

That included the 11 international participants – nine Americans, one Dutchman and one Czech – and the many Canadians from across the country, all of whom found time to mingle with old and new friends.

The day started at 9 a.m. with more than 500 people participating in the traditional 55 kilometre Torskeklubben Birkebeiner with pack event and the 55 kilometre Birkie Lite.

Racers included Fast Trax Run and Ski Shop owner Jack Cook. He had skied in eight previous Birkebeiners, but this year was the first time he skied the traditional race and he did so in honour of Birkebeiner legend Georg Kriegel who recently died from parkinson’s disease.

“My goal is just to make it to the finish,” Cook said before the starting horn sounded “Pacing is really the key and you can’t burn too many carbs at the beginning and have enough energy to last.”

After he crossed the finish line 3.5 hours later, Cook said the last 5 kilometres were tough, but he enjoyed the beauty of the course.

Other distances included the 31 kilometre Edmonton Journal Tour event, the 13 kilometre Mini Birkie and the 2.5 or 4 kilometre Ole’s Tour. Ole’s event saw many families participating together, including Jeff Fixsen, his wife and their three kids.

“It’s a community event and it’s nice to support. It’s very family-oriented and during the race people are very co-operative,” Fixsen said.

Organizers were thrilled with the number of people who turned out and the wonderful weather, said a bubbly John Lucas, vice-president of the Canadian Birkebeiner Society.

“It was a gorgeous day outside and we had 300 to 400 more people than we had last year,” Lucas said. “This is where the Birkie really shines.”