Congratulations to the 10 youth cross country ski programs that will get a boost this winter thanks to funding from the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation’s (ABSF) Skier Development Grant program. The Foundation recently awarded a total of $10,000 to programs targeted to youth skier programs.
“We received applications from 16 programs and awarded funding to 10 of them, most of which are new or expanding programs to foster more kids getting involved in cross country skiing,” said Ned Zuelsdorff, Executive Director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. “We’re hopeful many will get hooked on cross country skiing as a way to get outside, stay active and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.”
To date, including 2012, the ABSF has awarded a total of $200,000 to youth ski clubs and organizations throughout the United States. The ABSF Young Skier Grants program supports the creation or expansion of youth skier programs, purchase of “loaner” ski equipment for participants, purchase of ski hats and uniforms to foster team building and participation, and reduction of participant travel costs to ski events and clinics.
This Year’s 2012 Young Skier Program Grant Recipients Are:
• Nordic Wolves & Flying Squirrels, Minocqua, WI
• Drummond Area Nordic Ski Youth League – DANSYL, Drummond, WI
• Dowling Nordic Ski Club, Minneapolis, MN
• Drummond Telemarkers Ski Team, Drummond, WI
• Superior Alliance for Independent Living – SAIL, Marquette, MI
• Otter Tail Nordic Ski Assoc, Fergus Falls, MN
• Blue Mound Nordic Ski Club, Mount Horeb, WI
• 4-H CANSKI, Ashland, WI
• Chippewa Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America, Eau Claire, WI
• Madison Nordic Ski Team, Madison, WI
The American Birkebeiner celebrates its 40th anniversary from February 21-23, 2013. A total of 10,000 skiers will ski the American Birkebeiner 50K Skate and 54K Classic races, the 23-kilometer Kortelopet Skate and Classic races, and the Prince Haakon 12K.The
Birkie also offers a range of youth events during Birkie Week, including the Barnebirkie (ages 3-13), Junior Birkie (ages 8-18), the 5/10K Family Luminary Fun Ski (all ages), the new Nikkerbeiner Wooden Ski 5K (all ages), as well as the Prince Haakon 12K, and the 23K Kortelopet (both ages 13+).
”Whether you are just getting started as a skier or a skiing family or have been coming to the Birkie for years, there are so many ways to enjoy Birkie Week” said Zuelsdorff. “Our 40th Anniversary Celebration will include lots of special events from Thursday through Saturday of Birkie Week 2013, February 21-23. We look forward to a great time for participants and spectators alike!”
Presenting Sponsors for the 2013 Birkie Include:
Birkie Classic – Becker Law
Kortelopet – Marshfield Clinic
Prince Haakon – Timber Ford
Barnebirkie – Johnson Bank and Swiss Miss
Junior Birkie – Century Link
Out There – Nikkerbeiner Wooden Ski 5K
Elite Sprints – Helly Hansen and FITS Sock
Giant Ski – Verizon and Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce
Barkie Birkie – Dr. Tim’s Pet Food
5/10K Luminary Fun Ski – Hayward Area Memorial Hospital
Birkie Adaptive Events – Becker Law
To learn more about North America’s largest and most prestigious cross country ski race and Young Skier Grants, go to www.Birkie.com, email birkie@birkie.com, or call 715-634-5025.