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With COVID-19 concerns this year, the American Birkebeiner invited skiers to do a virtual Birkie, instead of coming to ski in person at Hayward, Wisconsin. Local Cook County residents: (L to R) Dave Eckel, Jan Horak, and Tim Kennedy, started their virtual Birkebeiner ski race on Monday morning February 22, on the Sugarbush ski trails. Photo courtesy of Greg Fangl
After making a change of plans on just where they would ski the American Birkebeiner this winter, local Nordic skiers Jan Horak, Tim Kennedy, and David Eckel chose to ski the Sugar Bush trails in Lutsen, specifically the Picnic Loop, before heading out to ski other loops to get their required distance for the virtual Birkie. There is no better place for replicating the Birkie hills than skiing the Picnic Loop.
This year the Birkebeiner race committee gave people the option to ski the race at home or on trails they were familiar with because of COVID- 19. Typically (always), the race starts in Telemark and finishes in Hayward, Wisconsin, and it draws skiers from around the world.
Not this year, but at least the event was happening, which is a big deal when three fellows have a combined 121 years of Birkies under their belts.
“We made a casual day of it,” said Eckel, the youngster in the group. “I was sick over the weekend, worn out and tired. I didn’t think I would ski on Monday. Waking up, I didn’t feel good, but I decided to go to Lutsen and try to ski with Jan and Tim. I thought about dropping and finishing the next day at the half-way mark, but the guys convinced me to ski the last 17ks. I’m glad I did. Overall, we skied 43ks and it was a lot of fun. No one raced; we just chummed around and talked. One fun thing that happened was that a couple from Schroeder came to the trailhead and it turned out they were longtime volunteers at the Birkie. The lady even wore a Birkie volunteer shirt and they gave us water and lemon bars just like we would get at a regular aid station. That was tremendously nice of them. When we finished, we had beer and brats in the parking lot. It was a great day. I’m a little tired today (Tuesday, February 23), but I’m resting and should be fine for work tomorrow.”
On a side note, Dave Eckel announced that after 33 years, he has retired from Sven & Oles. That, of course, has been his second job. He has worked longer than that in the courthouse maintenance department, where he is still employed.
As for Jan and Tim, both are over 70 years old and still going strong. In his early 60’s, Dave was one of Jan’s skiers when Jan coached cross country skiing at Cook County High School. This was Jan’s 42nd, Dave’s 41st, and Tim’s 39th American Birkebeiner. Congratulations to you three on your longevity and great friendship!
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