A founder’s spirit

In February, Ernie St. Germaine skied the American Birkebeiner – just as he’s done for the past 47 years – this time, however, because of concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, he skied 45 kilometers on a course of his own choosing. St. Germaine is the last surviving Founder of the American Birkebeiner Cross Country Skiing race.

Details from most of his 47 Birkebeiners come easily and serve as an oral history of the race. A specific memory might be, “That was the first year we used klister, and it was warm and wet in the swamp. It was definitely not smooth and flat” or, “I saw the Quinn brothers ahead of me, skiing in perfect rhythm until they disappeared around a curve on the railroad grade.”

Read Ernie’s full profile and comprehensive story in Cross Country Skier Magazine by writer Allison Slavick with images licensed from Ernie’s 47th Birkie