Description: "Each February, the cross-country ski marathon known as the American Birkebeiner transforms the sleepy northern Wisconsin town of Hayward into an international Nordic-themed festival. When the Birkie was held for the first time in 1973, only thirty-five skiers stood at the starting line. Now, fifty years later, the Birkie has grown into the largest event of its kind in North America, drawing more than 10,000 skiers from across the nation and world. This book traces the history of the American Birkebeiner, from its modest origins in the early 1970s to its fiftieth anniversary race in 2024. The book also tells the story of Tony Wise, the Birkie's visionary founder who grew up in Hayward, earned a Bronze Star in World War II, and began dreaming up plans to build a lucrative ski resort while home on break from Harvard business school"-- Provided by publisher.
Review Quotes: "In Poling's expert hands the narrative glides forward as smoothly as a skier on a perfectly groomed trail."-- "Tom Giffey for Volume One"