Thousands of cross-country skiers gathered in Hayward and Cable, Wisconsin, for the 52nd-annual Birkie Week from February 18 to 21, 2026. Elite competitors led the races, with Luke Jager winning the men's skate and Alayna Sonnesyn taking the women's overall title. Local participants from areas like Spooner and Stone Lake completed various events, showcasing community involvement in the endurance ski marathon.
The 52nd-annual American Birkebeiner, known as the Birkie, drew thousands of skiers and spectators to Hayward and Cable in Sawyer and Bayfield counties, Wisconsin, for events spanning February 18 to 21, 2026. The main races culminated on Saturday, February 21, with elite waves starting from the American Birkebeiner Trailhead in Cable under chilly 18-degree conditions with light snow.
In the men's elite skate race, Luke Jager of Anchorage, Alaska, claimed first place, followed closely by Michael Earnhart of Eagle River, Alaska, and Benjamin Dolby of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, both at 1:50.45. For the women's race, Alayna Sonnesyn, 29, from Plymouth, Minnesota, won overall with a time of 2:08.09, tying with Anna-Maria Dietze, 26, from Kurort Seiffen, Germany, while Emma Reeder, 23, from Bozeman, Montana, finished third at 2:08.12. Returning elites included Olympian Brian Gregg and his wife Caitlin Gregg, along with Davis Norris.
Local skiers from nearby communities participated across multiple categories. In the Birkie Skate on February 21, Simon Hedlund, 18, from Spooner, finished in 2:11.43, and Clare Essenmacher, 18, from Spooner, in 3:00.23. Other notables included Nathan Odden, 41, from Barronett, at 2:27.40, and Sarah Hamilton, 43, from Spooner, at 3:20.47. In the Korte Skate, young competitors like Theo Kohl, 17, from Spooner, clocked 1:16.37. Earlier events like the American Birkebeiner Open Track Skate on February 19 saw Al Bowman, 52, from Stone Lake, complete in 3:33.46.
Veteran participants shared stories of the event's history. David Fhyrie of Wheaton, Illinois, prepared for his 23rd Birkie, noting training challenges on flat terrain by repeating hills on golf courses. Birkie Ambassador Dayton Lang, who has skied 12 full Birkebeiners, emphasized the event's demands: "It’s not like running, where you can just walk it." He encouraged youth participation, stating, "Skiing’s good because you can’t be on a phone and do it. Kids that ski go to college." An anonymous spectator recalled his 14 Birkies, mentioning post-race gatherings at the Sawmill Saloon.
The event highlighted endurance in Nordic skiing, with races ranging from the 51-kilometer Birkebeiner to shorter options like the 15-kilometer Korte.
