Subaru Factory Team to Battle for Victory in The 2005 Subaru American Birkebeiner
CHERRY HILL, N.J., Feb. 22, 2005 -- The temperatures are falling and the excitement is rising for 9,000 skiers, 2,000 volunteers, 15,000 spectators and the organizers of the 32nd annual American Birkebeiner cross- country ski race. The Subaru Factory Team will again battle for victory in the most prestigious cross-country ski marathon in North America.
The 2005 Subaru American Birkebeiner festivities begin Thursday, February 24 and culminate with the race, also known as the Birkie, on Saturday, February 26.
The American Birkebeiner
The origin of the American Birkebeiner dates back to 1973, when 53 hearty skiers traveled 52 kilometers from Hayward, Wisconsin to Telemark Resort in neighboring Cable. Today, the American Birkebeiner is North America's largest and most prestigious cross-country ski marathon. Spanning 51 kilometers from Cable to Hayward, the Birkie is part of the esteemed Worldloppet series of 14 international races, part of the International Ski Federation (FIS) Marathon Cup series of eight races, and part of the American Ski Marathon series of 11 races.
Participants are lured by the challenge of skiing the hills and the flats as well as the opportunity to experience the camaraderie and diverse gathering of cultures from around the world. Skiers come from 19 foreign countries and nearly 50 of the United States. Aside from the United States, the top five countries represented are Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Norway and Russia.
Participation breaks down to 76 percent men and 24 percent women with 42 percent between the ages of 25 to 39, 50 percent between ages 40 to 59 and 2 percent between the ages of 60 to 80.
For more information or to register for the 2005 Subaru American Birkebeiner call 715-634-5025, e-mail birkie@birkie.com, or log on to http://www.birkie.com/.
The Subaru Factory Team
The Subaru Factory Team (http://www.enjoywinter.com/) has been a fixture on the American Birkebeiner podium since its inception ten years ago. This season the team hopes to once again claim a victory in the men's race with Subaru Factory Team star Ivan Babikov (http://www.enjoywinter.com/babikov.htm ). Babikov, a Russian native who is immigrating to Canada, is the most dominant North America based skier to contest the Birkie, since Subaru Factory Team star Carl Swenson won the race in 1999. Babikov has proven his speed and fitness this season with eight victories in USSA SuperTour events and two victories in FIS-US Marathon Cup competitions. At last weekend's Canadian Keskinada Worldloppet Babikov hung with and challenged FIS Marathon Cup leader Stanislav Rezac for 50 kilometers only to lose out in the final sprint by less than 1 second. Babikov finished sixth place in last year's Birkebeiner, just missing out in the final sprint.
In the women's event Abigail Larson, is hoping to become the first American champion since 2002. A native of the mid-west, Larson has had her sights on peaking at this year's Birkie since she finished eighth place (third American) in her first race last year. With podium finishes in two events at the 2005 US National Championships she is hoping her improved fitness and a "Birkie Peak" will allow her to challenge for final victory.
The Subaru Factory Team, America's premier cross-country ski team, is comprised of 13 champion athletes, including two Olympians and one national champion. Winners of the American Ski Marathon series 10 years in a row, the team's mission is to use their unparalleled racing success to show America's snowbound populace how cross-country skiing can maximize their enjoyment of winter. They accomplish this by being the source of cross-country skiing imagery, information, inspiration, education, motivation, tools, and support for cross-country racers, touring devotees, and fitness enthusiasts. Visit the Subaru Factory Team at http://www.enjoywinter.com/.
Subaru Commitment to the Outdoors
When a Subaru is seen driving down the road or at the trailhead, chances are it will be loaded with a kayak, canoe, mountain bike, skis or snowboard. That's because Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive provides drivers with superior performance in all types of conditions - essential for transporting outdoor sports enthusiasts to the river, the mountains and those "off the beaten path" destinations with safety and confidence. Together with its partners, Subaru hosts hundreds of outdoor events each year from coast to coast. This approach helps Subaru learn more about its customers' interests, and enables the company to demonstrate how Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive can complement their active lifestyles. Because of this commitment, many refer to Subaru as the official vehicle of the outdoors. http://www.outdoorlife.subaru.com/
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