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Jerry Poling is the author of the new book "American Birkebeiner: The Nation's Greatest Ski Marathon" published by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press.

A Birchlegger himself with 25 Birkies and 4 Kortes under his belt, Jerry is the perfect person to chronicle the Birkie's first 50 years. He is an experienced journalist and has written four other books.

We had a great time talking about his own Birkie experiences and how those inspired him to write the book. He conducted countless hours of research, interviews, and deep dives into the Birkie archives to combine personal stories, key moments in the race's history, and some surprising facts about this epic challenge. The book also includes over 150 photos! He has a great respect for those who made the race happen and for the race's influence on all who ski it.

Buy the book:

Available at the Wisconsin Historical Society Press

and online at The Birkie Store or in-person at the store.

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Welcome to the Birch Legacies podcast. We are sharing stories celebrating the motivation, the perserverence, and the lifestyle choices necessary to reach the status of Birchlegger - that is, skiers who have completed 20 or more Birkies, Korteloppets, or a combination of both. We would love to hear from Birchleggers young and old (that's you!) who have a story to tell about what keeps them coming back year after year.

If you would like to appear on the podcast, please send Jon Peterson an email at [email protected] or you can fill out this form

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