Wooden Skis and Warrior Spirits: American Birkebeiner Race Sustains Norway’s History

Photos and words by Tess Crowley/The Michigan Daily

For Todd Sandman of Cumberland, Wis., ringing in the new year meant scouring Facebook marketplace ads in hopes of finding a pair of antique wooden Nordic skis. Sandman had recently received the exciting news that he was one of a trio of dedicated skiers selected each year to recreate an important and harrowing journey that took place in 13th-century Norway, where in the year 1206, an infant Prince Haakon and his mother Inga escaped a civil war and were escorted to safety in a 55-kilometer cross country ski trek through deep woods in the treacherous depths of Norwegian winter.

Sandman, along with wife Kirsten Sandman and friend Craig Hokanson, were the three skiers selected from a pool of applicants to reenact the historical ski as part of the festivities of the annual American Birkebeiner, the largest cross-country ski race in North America. Each February, 10,000 skiers and 25,000 spectators descend on Wisconsin to endure a challenging 55K ski race that routes over hilly terrain from the town of Cable to Hayward, and is part of the Worldloppet Ski Federation of 19 international ski marathon races. 

In honoring the original 13th-century ski marathon, the present-day Birkebeiner race is so named because the original Norwegian Warriors skied with leggings made from protective birch bark. Each year, reenactors portray Inga and two of the Warrior skiers who escorted her and the young prince to safety. They ski the entire 55-kilometer race on traditional wooden skis, dressed in full 13th-century period costumes and inspire their fellow skiers along the way. Strapped in a carrier to the front of one of the Warriors, a baby doll stands in for the infant Prince Haakon for most of the race, but as they approach the finishing stretch, a real baby is substituted as they ski through cheering crowds to cross the finish line. In actuality, 822 years ago after his successful escape, Prince Haakon grew up to become King of Norway, and the Birkebeiner skiers became a Norwegian symbol of spirit and determination in the face of adversity.

Each year, long before snow hits the winter ground, the annual Inga and Warrior application is released to the public. In June 2023, this year’s winning trio applied collectively for the honor in hopes of being chosen, and half a year later they received the good news. In January, however, after the initial excitement of being chosen, panic set in for the trio: Race day was around the corner and the snowpack was far below normal. However, race organizers would not be deterred. For this year’s special 50th anniversary, the American Birkebeiner Foundation used its snow-making capabilities to create a 10K 10-kilometer loop trail, shortening the usual 55-kilometer Birkebeiner to a 30-kilometer race made up of three laps on the course. 

In 1206, the original Warriors overcame Norway’s harsh winter to carry Prince Haakon to safety, but in 2024 the Warriors and Inga overcame the lack of snow to train for their role. Despite skiing 20 kilometers less than usual, the trio was overjoyed to have the opportunity to represent this monumental event in Norwegian history. They hiked, ran and, “chased the snow where we could find it,” Hokanson said. The trio was committed to serving as ambassadors of the American Birkebeiner — a race that draws in skiers of all levels, from Olympic athletes to sports enthusiasts. Hokanson, Todd Sandman and Kirsten Sandman have been avid participants of the race, completing 27, 20 and four Birkies as of this year, respectively. 

“We are like the Taylor Swift(s) of the Birkie,” Todd Sandman said. Throughout the week of Birkie festivities, participants from around the world gazed in awe as they walked, skied or ran by Inga and the Warriors. Their interactions with the local and international racing community reveal the importance of continuing this multi-generational historical tradition. 

The trio felt it was important to share the history of the race, as both Hokanson and Kirsten Sandman have Norwegian heritage. Hokanson spent every Christmas reading Lise Lunge-Larsen’s children’s book “The Race of the Birkebeiners” to his son, teaching him about his heritage. Now, Hokanson has a local and international stage to share his heritage and the story of Inga and the Warriors to the Nordic ski community. 

As a new grandfather, Hokanson wanted to share this unique reenactment of Norwegian history with his infant grandson. During Saturday’s races, Hokanson replaced the baby doll he had been carrying with his 12-month-old grandson, Torin, adorning him with a crown to play infant Prince Haakon of Norway. This year, the pages from the “The Race of the Birkebeiners” book became Hokanson and his grandson’s reality as he carried Torin Hokanson through the woods of Wisconsin. 

“I look forward to looking back on this with my grandson. Now (“The Race of the Birkebeiners”) has special meaning when I read the story because he was the prince in the story. We met so many former Prince Haakons that are skiing (this year) and it was a special moment for them. I can see that for us in the future too,” Hokanson said. 

Hokanson, Todd Sandman and Kirsten Sandman are tangible reminders of the history of the American Birkebeiner, just as next year’s Inga and Warrior trio will be. Their stories, interwoven with the Warriors’ stories, will be remembered for generations of Birkie attendees to come. One day, young Torin Hokanson could swap his crown for a pair of birch-bark leggings, and, just like his grandfather, share the magic of the sport with future generations of Nordic skiers.