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2021 Skate American Birkiebeiner recap

March 3, 2021
by
Simon Zink

Hello,


Simon here to discuss my second experience at the American Birkebeiner. Calling this my second Birkie is quite the stretch, about 54km in length, as the Barnebirkie I competed in when I was 6 years old doesn’t quite stack up to the full Birkie. However, the pure joy and euphoria of simply gliding on skis up hills and through turns as fast as I can, fearless and free, was as intense the first time I can remember experiencing it and falling in love with skiing, during that Barnebirkie, as it was racing in the front of the Skate Birkie 16 years later. 

Fully fluorinated skis, charging 16 years ago at the barnebirkie


My race this year was definitely not smooth, in fact it was chaos from the start, but I was proud of being able to maintain that spirit of confidence and fearlessness that makes ski racing so addictive and fun for me, despite these mishaps. With the 45km modified Birkie course, taking us from the Birkie trailhead out the Skate Birkie trail, 21 km to double oo, and then back 23km on the Classic Birkie trail to the start, containing two $500 primes at approximately 2.5 km and 21 km, I knew the race was going to start out hot. I had gone into the race with a plan to simply ski as hard as possible in order to stay with the lead pack for the longest duration. Even if keeping contact with the leaders 1km longer meant blowing up and having to trudge it in solo for next 30km, I was hard set on staying with the lead until I truly couldn’t stand up on my skis. I ski my best when I simplify things, when I can just turn my brain off and focus on one task. In this case that meant just ignoring my perception and simply pushing my self until my body was truly physically exhausted to the point that I couldn’t move anymore and stay in contact - something I find pleasure in, is relatively simple, and that  I am good at. Despite the prime at 2.5 km,  the pace was relatively tame at the start. Perhaps the slower speed than expected, led to the lapse in judgment which caused me to stick a pole between my legs at 1.5 km and break it. As the pace eventually did ramp up in anticipation of the nearing sprint,  I free skated trying to use the draft of the racers coming by me, as efficiently as possible, as I slowly drifted through the pack. It was motivating to see Logan take the win at the sprint even from afar, as well as Newell waiting with a spare pole.

the start

Logan getting into position to take the 2.5km prim, Finn peaking in behind Ian Torchia

The next 4 km I spent trying to catch back up as fast as I could, and I eventually did. My skis were exceptionally fast and I was feeling great, but instead of just conserving my energy, especially after already burning a bunch of matches early to get in the position I was, I skied a bit too agitated trying to cover every move myself at the front. In the end I ran out of energy in the last 7km when the race winning move was made. This definitely has left me with more to be desired, however I am pumped with the confidence I had skied with and the manner in which I fought back. This race was also one of the few mass starts we have participated in all year, so it was fun to get to ski in a group with some of my teammates as well as some elite skiers that I haven't raced against previously.

Me in the first km

Erika and Lauren after the race

Logan on the podium for the sprint prim

L to R, Jonah, Logan, Graham, Finn, and me post race

I’d like to thank the Birkie organization and volunteers that were out there all week making sure this event persisted. There is no doubt in my mind that the American Birkiebeiner is the most professionally run and organized event in the US. Our entire team was truly impressed with how streamlined the event transpired and with the execution of the COVID adaptations put in place to ensure a safe event for all. I definitely will be returning in the future.