Love of skiing trumps political and immigration concerns for international athletes during Birkie

By: Frank Zufall

Outlets: Wisconsin Examiner

Published: February 24, 2026

Words: 1,251

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 3 days ago

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The American Birkebeiner “Birkie” cross-country ski races from Cable to Hayward just concluded on Saturday, Feb. 21. It was the 52nd annual running of the marathon races.

The Birkie is part of the Worldloppet Ski Federation, an international association of marathon cross-country ski races held in Europe, the Americas, New Zealand, Australia, China, and Japan.

There were over 600 skiers at the 2026 Birkie who are Worldloppet Ski Federation Passport Members: those who are officially …

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