12/22/25 Cable, WI — The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF) welcomed hundreds of Nordic ski racers to Mt. Telemark Village in Cable, Wisconsin, this past weekend for the Gitchi Gami Games, a cornerstone early-season competition that continues to draw elite and developing athletes from 20 US states and Canada.
Held as part of the Salomon Cup race series, the Gitchi Gami Games featured two days of racing, including a classic sprint and a classic mass start, taking advantage the fully redeveloped Carlson Competition Stadium at Mt. Telemark Village. The venue provided challenging, spectator-friendly courses and early season winter conditions showcased both athlete depth and the strength of Midwest Nordic racing.
“It’s a Birkieland tradition,” said Dave Johnson, Chief of Timekeeping. “These athletes are national level and they’re trying to get to the international level. They are doing this racing here with the hopes and dreams of making it to an Olympic team.” Key participation data points include:
- Total competitors: 500+ athletes across sprint and distance events
- Age categories represented: U16/18/20 and Senior divisions for both women and men
- Over 60 clubs, colleges, and teams were represented, including NCAA programs, regional ski clubs, Team Birkie, and national development programs
The start lists reflect a notable mix of collegiate athletes, post-collegiate elite racers, and junior skiers competing on the same weekend—one of the defining characteristics of the Gitchi Gami Games and a key reason the event is viewed as a bridge between grassroots and elite Nordic racing in North America.
Saturday’s classic sprint delivered head-to-head racing and deep qualification fields, while Sunday’s classic mass start tested endurance and tactics across longer distances. The density of competitive seed groups highlighted the depth of the field, with tightly packed start orders and a wide range of FIS- and USSA-ranked athletes pushing the pace throughout the weekend.
A full list of results can be found here: Saturday Results – Sunday Results. Photos for use with this article can be found on the ABSF Facebook Page. For more information reach out to media@birkie.com or visit birkie.com/ski/events/gitchi-gami-games
