Ski Classics heads to Norway for Birkebeinerrennet on Saturday, March 18. The 54-kilometer classic race marks the twelfth stage and the fourth and final Grand Classics event of Season XIV.

Birkebeinerrennet is not the longest race in the Pro Tour, but it has one of the most demanding courses. The 54-kilometer stage starts with a long uphill section with only one relatively short downhill segment. Then, the Pro Team athletes get to appreciate the beautiful mountain scenery before reaching the second climb. 

On the last part of the course, the skiers can finally enjoy the wonder of speed as they start their descent to the finish line at the Olympic stadium, located a few kilometers from Lillehammer city center. 

Like Vasaloppet, Birkebeinerrennet is one of the world’s most legendary long-distance ski races. With a long history, its legacy is based on a heroic tale of courage and adventure. The saga dates to the harsh times of the 13th century when two fearless soldiers, birkebeiners, rescued a young prince and skied over the mountain fighting against the wild nature around them. This young prince, Haakon, later became the King. To honor him and his rescuers, all participants at Birkebeinerrennet must carry a 3.5kg backpack symbolizing the prince’s weight. 

In the pre-event interviews ahead of Birkebeinerrennet, broadcast on SC YouTube earlier today, Sølvi Amundsen Aas, Sports Director Birken, has some good impressions about Birkebeinerrennet on Saturday:

“We had some fresh new snow at the beginning of this week, approximately 20-25cm, which has been groomed during the week. For Friday morning, the forecast predicts some more 20cm of new snow during the day, but it’s supposed to stop by seven at night. So, the plan is to groom at the best timing during the night, so we expect as good as possible tracks on Saturday morning,” says Sølvi and continues:

“We are working, preparing, and have everything under control. We are just waiting for the guests.”

For Birkebeinerrennet, Anton Karlsson, Sports Director Ski Classics, walked us through the course:

“Birkebeinerrennet starts in Rena, going from East to West, heading to the first climb at Raudfjellet, which is also an Iconic Climb, where you get more points in the Climb competition. Then you head down and up again to the second climb at Midtfjellet. Then the course changes again, to a more flat part, going towards Sjusjøen and down to the finish.”

For this edition, the finish is a bit different from the previous years, and Karlsson explains:

“Now we will have a more straight finish than before. The LOC has done a good job changing the finish area, and we will have a super good atmosphere there, with nice finishes.” 

Watch The Full Pre-Event Interviews Here With Some Of The Favorites For The Weekend: Birkebeinerrennet Pre-Event Interviews Live On SC YouTube

Ski Classics Pro Tour XIV – Event 12: Pre-Birkebeinerrennet Interviews

Expect many battles in Norway as the Pro Tour skiers fight for glory at Birkebeinerrennet, the twelfth Ski Classics stage, and the fourth and final Grand Classics event in Season XIV.

BIRKEBEINERRENNET – Ski Classics Pro Tour – Event 12

• Date: March 18, 2023
• Distance: 54km Classic Technique
• Place: Rena-Lillehammer, Norway
• Start Time: Women 8:00 CET / Men 7:45 CET
• Number of SC Sprints: 0
• Number of SC Climbs: 2
• Climb 1: 20km – Raudfjellet (Iconic Climb)
• Climb 2: 34km – Midtfjellet

Course Map & Profile 

The Season XIV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 14 events on 10 event weekends in 6 different countries. 

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XIV (2022/2023)

• Event 1: December 10, 2022 – Bad Gastein PTT, Bad Gastein, Austria, 15km
• Event 2: December 11, 2022 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Bad Gastein, Austria, 35km
• Event 3: December 17, 2022 – La Venosta Criterium, Val Venosta, Italy, 36km 
• Event 4: January 14, 2023 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Sexten, Italy, 62km
• Event 5: January 15, 2023 – Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, Niederdorf, Italy, 32km
• Event 6: January 21, 2023 – Engadin La Diagonela, Engadin Valley, Switzerland, 48km 
• Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedrichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 12km
• Event 11: March 5, 2023 – Vasaloppet, Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 18, 2023 – Birkebeinerrennet, Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 1, 2023 – Reistadløpet, Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 40km
• Event 14: April 2, 2023 – Summit 2 Senja, Bardufoss- Finnsnes, Norway, 67km

More information about Ski Classics you can find at skiclassics.com.

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