1975 Race Highlights

Birkebeiner 55K

Chris Haines, Anchorage, AK 3:00:34
Vigdis Snekkevik, USA 5:00:57

Citizen’s Race 27.5K

John Moody, USA 2:07:47
Linda Strande, USA 2:29:07

Entrants

324

Race Summary

Sven Wiik, who developed the first trails for the Birkebeiner, returned to create a new trail consisting of more logging roads and snowmobile trails, thus more rugged terrain. The trail was measured using a 300 foot rope behind a snowmobile and more accurately represented the 55K distance of the Norwegian Birkebeiner. The course was set with one track and utilized directional arrows.

Temperature was 19 degrees at the start, but rain the day before, cold during the night and then warming temperatures throughout the day created difficult conditions. Some skiers used the “new” fiberglass skis, but waxing proved to be very problematic for both types of skis.

For the first time an energy drink called ERG was available at the five food stations.

There were now six classes in the Birkebeiner with one being the first official class for women. Birchbark leggings were added to the awards for the winners. For the first time, two American Birkebeiner representatives were awarded trips to the Norwegian Birkebeiner.