American Birkebeiner, world's largest cross country ski race, canceled following days of warm weather, rain

Days of unseasonably warm temperatures and rain forced the cancellation of the American Birkebeiner, the world's largest cross-country ski race, officials announced Friday.

It's only the second time that the 50 kilometer race has been canceled in the 44 years that the event has been held between Hayward and Cable in northwestern Wisconsin.

"After discussion with a wide constituency of key stakeholders including emergency and medical officials, trail crew, and others, the ABSF board determined the greater ski course was unsafe for a timed race," organizers said in a statement. "Areas of the Birkie Trail were lacking snow, icy, or simply unsuitable for use."

The cancellation also affected two shorter races - the Kortelopet, and Prince Haakon - that had been moved from Friday to Saturday in hopes that a snowstorm that moved through the state Thursday and Friday would improve conditions. While that storm dumped 8 inches of snow Thursday night in some parts of northwestern Wisconsin it was a bust for the Birkie.

Thousands of skiers and spectators from around the world were expected to come the Hayward area for what was planned a long weekend of activities capped by the race Saturday. But a long stretch of days with above-freezing temperatures did serious damage to the 50-kilometer race course. 

Some 11,000 skiers and up to 40,000 spectators were expected.

The elite skiers, including Olympians, who participate in the Birkie must qualify and spend months training. The local communities in Hayward, Cable and the surrounding region do much the same, and the event has become an important part of the area's culture and economy. Last year, the race attracted skiers from 22 countries and 46 states.

In 2016, the Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau was honored by Sports Destination Management for the economic impact that the sports tourism event has on the local economy. The publication said Birkie visitors book 4,100 room nights and estimated that the event brings $20 million to the local economy.

“We know that the Birkie is so much more than a race to so many," Ben Popp, Birkie executive director, said Friday.

Instead of racing, on Saturday those making the trek are invited to a celebration of the new trailhead to the race course, near Cable.

"Birkie skiers are passionate about the overall experience," Popp said. "It is in that Birkie Fever spirit that we’re excited to celebrate the love of Nordic sports with skiers and spectators alike at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead. It’ll be a Birkie celebration like none other!”

The originally scheduled Birkie events stretched over a four day period, starting Thursday. They included the three ski races, plus family events like a kids run. The same organization stages a fat tire trail race and a trail run at other times of the year.

Earlier this week, organizers made course changes and juggled the schedule as forecasters tracked a winter storm predicted for Thursday night. One early forecast said the storm could bring more than eight inches of snow to the Hayward area. As the week progressed, revised forecasts called for less and less snow.

"Unfortunately, no snow fell last night," Birkie organizers said Friday morning.

Thursday night's storm tracked just a bit too far south to help the race. Altoona reported 9.7 inches, while Eau Claire got 8.2 inches, said meteorologist Bryan Howell.

Another snow band was making its way across northern Wisconsin Friday morning, but was skirting south of Hayward, missing the area by "a matter of miles," he said.

Event organizers said "the safety of our skiers is first and foremost in our minds.  Conditions need to be safe for the first skier, as well as the 10,000th skier."