30th Edition of Race Goes Full Distance
HAYWARD, WI. - Skiers from Italy crushed the field on Saturday, Feb. 22, to totally dominate the 30th American Birkebeiner Nordic ski event. On a frigid but sunny day in the northland, pre-race favorites Gianantonio Zanetel and Lara Peyrot gave Italy a Birkie sweep.

As a key stop on the International Ski Federation's Marathon Cup Circuit, the Birkie provided the icy platform that vaulted Zanetel to the top of the Cup standings, while Peyrot increased the first-place margin she already had. Zanetel's victory gave Italy three straight Birkie titles. He also won in 2001, while Maurizio Pozzi won last year.

With temperatures in single digits on the 30-foot-wide ski course consisting of chopped ice and fresh powder from an overnight snowfall, Italian men took the first four places in this year's 51-kilometer Birkie. Zanetel took the individual title in a time of 2 hours, 10 minutes, 57.6 seconds Peyrot paced the women in 2:24:21.

Top Illinois skier was Michael Choate, 45, of Chicago, who posted a 2:29:08, for 80th place overall (77th male). Jim DiDomenico, 38, of Chicago, was close behind Choate with a 2:29:58, good for 90th overall (87th male). Ken Hazel, 49, of Waukegan, was third Illinois finisher in 2:39:14. He was 204th overall.

Choate shared his thoughts on his successful sojourn across the hilly terrain of Wisconsin's Bayfield and Sawyer Counties.

"I had one major pre-race concern, can I stay healthy?," Choate said. "That's one of those factors that's very hard to control, having a family and working with the public (he is a Chicago fireman) makes it that much harder.

"I feel even the stress leading up to a large event can compromise the immune system, and open the door to virus. My trick? Just relax. If you have done your homework in the last few months, it will all come together on race day.

"That race requires a few elements that have to come together, the head, the body, and the skis. I felt like they were there for me this year. Of course, you always wish the skis could have been faster. In terms of the course, it was pretty darn good."

Top woman to finish from Illinois was Kathryn Splan, 26, of Evanston, who finished in 3:24:18.

"Overall the race went well, considering the weather this winter," Splan said. "Although I felt strong at times, I was struggling on the tougher parts of the course, and could feel the results of not skiing many hills this winter. In the end I was pleasantly surprised and pleased with my overall place."

Kielo Sauvala, 46, of Mount Prospect, was second Illinois woman in 3:29:35 and Christine Palmquist, 37, of Geneva, was third in 3:47:25. Close to 400 Illinois skiers participated in the Birkie or Kortelopet.

El Nino and warm weather during the week leading up to the race wreaked havoc with the race course, and as late as 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, the full 51K route was in doubt. The towns of Hayward and Cable pitched in, moving snow from lakes and parking lots to cover bare spots on the course, Icy sections on the hilly course were ground up as much as possible, making for a very skiable race for the more than 5,623 registered participants in either the Birkie or the 23-kilometer Kortelopet.

The Birkie is the largest cross-country ski race in North America and is a member of the 14-nation Worldloppet Circuit.

Photos: Mike Choate (bib 87) cranks through some rough snow (above) on Main Street just 300 meters from the finish. Jim DiDomenico (bib 82) comes through (below) about 50 seconds later. Photos courtesy www.skinnyski.com.

For the official race press release, click here.