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EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) – Every February thousands of cross-country skiers head to Hayward to compete in the American Birkebeiner. Now, an Eau Claire resident is telling its history in a new book.
Jerry Poling is the author of ‘American Birkebeiner: The Nation’s Greatest Ski Marathon’. The novel explores many different topics including the history of the race, its growth in popularity and how it remains special to thousands of people.
Poling has skied the Birkie 25 times and said the inspiration comes from falling in love with the race.
“It’s a celebration of skiing, a celebration of winter and just a celebration really of the Nordic sport, the Nordic spirit and the cross-country skiing sport in Wisconsin and in people’s lives all around the country and all around the world,” he said.
The book took about four years to complete. Poling said the target audience are people who already enjoy the race but also want to learn more about its history.
Some chapters also explore the life of Tony Wise, the founder and ‘Birkie Fever’.
American Birkebeiner: The Nation’s Greatest Ski Marathon can be purchased around Eau Claire including at Dotters Books and the Volume One Local Store.
