The Big Ski Race

Every February Hayward and Cable host the largest cross country ski race in North America called the American Birkebeiner.  The original Birkie is held in Norway to commemorate and re-enact from 1206 when a infant prince was kidnapped in the Norwegian Civil War.  The prince's father sent two of his best skier/warriors to rescue the prince and ski as fast as they could back home.  They skied 53 kilometers.  Thus is born the annual race.  Twelve thousand skiers come to our area for the weekend.  Each skier brings an entourage with them so the population of Hayward is much more than the usual 2100.

Early February brings "Birkie Fever."  Symptoms are varied but all bring excitement culminating in the volunteer dinner for 1000 the day after the race.  Local volunteers pack the registration packets with race bibs, gather supplies for spaghetti feeds the night before the race, lay in their own supplies at home because shopping in town that week is impossible, on the radio listen to Birkie songs recorded by local musicians.  It is excitement beyond my description.  My tasks this year were packing registration packets, baking several desserts for the church spaghetti feed, and taking a long shift the day before by checking IDs of skiers coming to pick up packets.  Really enjoyed the international skiers, especially the Spanish team. Case spent all of race day sorting the skiers' bags of belongings and handing them back when they finished the race.  His group was in charge of more than 3,000 bags. 

Case in the race several years ago before he blew out his knee.

 

Behind the start line at the Cable airport.

Skiers write an essay to win the honor of being the warriors.  Modern day adds Inga, the mother of the Prince who is skiing with a baby doll.  The three of them lend moral support and fun to the racers.  Note the birch bark leggings on the men.  Birkebeiner means just that - birch bark leggings.