One Birchlegger’s Look at His Prince Haakon Experience –Bill Kopanda, ABSF Member & Birkie Skier
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ike many others, I planned to ski the Birkie until I could no longer walk. I intended to race my 32nd Birkie in 2017. Then, my life changed. Like my father before me, I developed cardiac issues. I’d known about it since 2003, but after my condition worsened my cardiologist restricted my exercise to no longer than one hour and at a limited heart rate. I created a list of reasons why I should be allowed to ski the Birkie and presented them to my doctor. My bride attended the meeting and, as I stated my case, she quickly sold me up the ski trail. “Whose side are you on?” I asked. “Half of the race is downhill, that shouldn’t count against my hour.” While the cardiologist liked my eagerness to exercise he couldn’t support my desire to race. Finally, he said, “You can ski the Birkie, but you’ll need to stop after one hour.” I thought, quit after an hour? I was bummed. I saw my life as I knew it dissolve before my eyes. Although I wasn’t ready, I knew it was time to redefine myself and my life. Change doesn’t come easily. Shortly thereafter a Birkie friend said, “Why don’t you join me in the Prince Haakon?” I quickly said, “No way.” Then I began to think about it. I could stay home for the first time since 1984 or continue the festivities with my friends and the ski community. I called Ben Popp and asked if I could complete the course in an hour within my restrictions. Always the positive Birkie supporter, Ben gave me the answer I wanted to hear, “Yes!” I quickly signed up for the Prince Haakon. While it was a challenging adjustment to go from being a first wave Birkie skier to the Prince Haakon, once the race started I found that I enjoyed the experience very much. It was great fun to be back on the Birkie Trail with other skiers. The race turned out to be my hardest effort of the year even though I stayed close to my medical restrictions. While the Prince Haakon is shorter, it includes the iconic elements of the Birkie: the Mosquito Brook hills; the climb at Hatchery Creek; Lake Hayward; the International Bridge; and the Main Street finish. When I returned home, after the Birchleggings breakfast, my lovely bride had a 28
post-it-note waiting for me on the bathroom mirror, “Welcome home my Prince.” Skiing in the Prince Haakon was a great experience and one that I would highly recommend for anyone who, for whatever reason, cannot continue race in a longer event. In fact, I skied my second Prince Haakon in
2019! As for me, I remain a member of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation and continue to attend the Birchleggings breakfast. I am already signed up for 2020 Prince Haakon - I can’t wait!
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