By Penny Smythe
Published: March 8, 2024
American Birkebeiner
While Minneapolis was a significant milestone for American and APU cross-country skiing, the two major races following the North American World Cups continued the trend of placing 1st on the podium for APU skiers, cementing the success even further from this past season.
The Saturday following the Minneapolis World Cup was the 50th Anniversary of the American Birkebeiner. Due to the stacked list of World Cup Athletes racing, who rarely, if ever, get to race the Birkie due to World Cup races over in Europe, many flocked to Cable, Wisconsin to participate and watch!
APU’s success reigned once more with APU Nordic’s skier Gus Schumacher winning the 50k Birkie race adorning APU Blue! Many of our men who raced finished just behind Gus with David Norris (APU Alum/Team Birkie) in 3rd, Scott Patterson in 4th, Hunter Wonders in 11th, Thomas O’Harra in 16th, and Garrett Butts in 17th. Because of the limited snow, this year’s Birkie course was structured as a lap, which allowed for spectators to be able to watch the majority of the race that was led by APU men for the entirety of the 50km race.
Tour of Anchorage
Lastly, the Saturday after the Birkebeiner was the annual Tour of Anchorage race. Both the men’s and women’s 50km skate race were secured by APU Skiers, Rosie Frankowski (APU Alum) and Thomas O’Harra. 2nd place in the women’s race was secured by Hailey Swirbul (APU Alum) and 3rd place in the men’s race was secure by Hunter Wonders. The 40k was secured by APU Master Anna Engel, and APU Nordic’s Marit Flora secured the 25k in 1st and Lily Pannkuk in 2nd for the women’s race with Buster Richardson in 1st and Davis Isom in 2nd for the Men’s race.
Becoming a Tour of Anchorage winner is a coveted title by many cross-country skiers in Alaska. Traditionally APU skiers do quite well, and we are happy to report the success has continued its trend in 2024!
