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Vol. 13, No. 16, Wednesday February 14, 2018 www.LamontLeader.com
80-year-old George Streefkerk (centre), is one of the originals who participated in the first Birkebeiner in 1985.
Hearty cross country skiers attend Birkebeiner MAUREEN SULLIVAN Approximately 1,000 cross country skiers were out this past weekend at the 32rd Canadian Birkie. On Saturday, the starting leg was from the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village at 9:00 am. Lamont County Reeve Wayne Woldanski was out at the starting line along with other dignitaries wishing the skiers good luck and saying how proud they were to be able to hold the event on Treaty 6 land. Two days before the event they only had 540 people registered but on Saturday it had swelled to 1,000. Participants were from all over Canada, and as far away as Minnesota and Juneau, Alaska.
The start was well groomed and ready for the skiers. While the temperature was at -6 C. there was a very cold wind. Luckily for the skiers it was at their back for most of the race. Ed HeacocK, one of the original skiers 32 years ago, was acting as sweep this year bringing up the rear. "The fastest skiers can ski the 55 km (route) in about three hours and the slowest in seven-and-a-half hours. The weather is perfect this year. The best snows in 20 years." George Streefkerk, 80 years young, was also skiing the 55 km race. He is one of the five skiers left from the original event, who still ski the race. Skiers were either doing the arduous
55 km route with or without a 55 kg weighted pack - or the shorter (31 km) route. There were three waves of skiers at 9:00, 9:15 and 9:30 with the fastest skiers in wave 1, the middle in wave 2 and the slowest or most methodical in wave 3. The Birkie Legend began in the year 1206 while a civil war raged in Norway. The heir to the throne, infant prince Haakon Haakonsson, was in danger and two brave Birkebeiner warriors rescued him and carried him by skis to safety. The young prince, later crowned king of Norway ended the civil war. The Birkebeiners (Birchbarkleggers) got their name from wrapping and
tying birch bark around their legs like gaiters to keep the snow out and their legs protected in battle. Today, Birkebeiner has come to mean a person strong in adversity, never daunted by trial and hardships. This historic flight of the birchlegs and the infant king is commemorated every year in Norway. In 1985, 127 hardy participants skied in the first Canadian Birkebeiner. Five years ago they had up to 2000 skiers. Bad snow conditions the last couple of years has brought attendance down but they hope the weather and the people will stay with them in the upcoming years.