Elite women ski the Powerline.

2011 Race Highlights

Birkebeiner 50K Skate

Tore Gunderson, Norway, 2:00:32
Caitlin Compton, USA 2:16:07

Birkebeiner 54K Classic

Juergen Uhl, USA 2:29:26
Jennie Bender, USA 2:50:53

Kortelopet 23K Skate

Ben Hugus, USA 57:14
Alayna Sonnesyn, USA 1:06:33

Kortelopet 23K Classic

Geoff Ash, USA 1:09:30
Nora Gilbertson, USA 1:20:14

Entrants

8,836 (Birkebeiner Skate 4,237; Birkebeiner Classic, 1,820; Kortelopet Skate, 1488; Kortelopet Classic, 1291)

Race Summary

Temperatures hovered around 10 degrees below zero at the start of the race. Honorary Starter, John Schmitt, the “Voice of the Birkie” from 1985 through 2003, welcomed a new record number of skiers to the start line.

Caitlin Compton broke the women’s 50K Skate course record with a winning time of 2:16:07. In its fourth year, the Birkie Classic saw the return of Juergen Uhl, 2010 Champion. Uhl won his second race in 8.4 seconds slower that the previous year.

Long time friends Gale Otterholt and Marv Franson were joined by their friend Gretchen Lindgren as the Birkebeiner warriors and Inga.

Two new events were introduced: the Giant Ski (six people on one set of skis) and the Barkie Birkie Ski Jor. Both were met with great enthusiasm.