Not one, but two shining stars of the upper midwest, Michigan's Noquemanon Ski Marathon and Minnesotašs Pepsi Challenge, have joined the American Ski Marathon Series beginning with the 2001 season.

The Noquemanon, a 53K and 23K point-to-point cross country ski race organized by the Superiorland Ski Club, debuted in January 1999. The 53K race starts in Ishpeming (the birth place of Nordic skiing in America) and finishes at the Superior Dome in Marquette. In between skiers are treated to a unique trail through spectacular Upper Peninsula wilderness with Lake Superior as its backdrop. Skiers climb from 1400 feet to 1700 feet before gradually descending to the shores of Lake Superior at 600 feet.

The Noquemanon has enjoyed phenomenal success in its first two years with over 1000 skiers participating in January 2000.

Unlike the quick rising Noquemanon, the Pepsi Challenge has consistently been one of Minnesotašs largest XC events over a 16 year history. Originally a point-to-point including several northern Minnesota communities, the event is now entirely within the popular Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort. This facility was once a World Cup and Olympic training center giving the race course a very challenging feel with top shelf grooming.

ASM National Director J.D. Downing gave high marks to both Noquemanon and Pepsi Challenge organizers for their comprehensive race organization and tremendous growth potential. "The ASM Board of Directors is tremendously excited to have these two fantastic midwest events be part of the 2001 calendar and looks forward to long relationship with both events,˛ says Downing.

In partnership with the AXCS and the 2001 Subaru National Masters, major sponsorship for the 2001 ASM Series will be provided by Sundown Vitamins and Nature Valley Granola Bars. The two sponsors will provide extensive promotional support for all eleven 2001 ASM events throughout the 2001 season. "Both of these outstanding companies offer quality products perfect for the XC ski lifestyle...both are a perfect fit for the crown jewel of North American XC skiing," says ASM Director J.D. Downing.

Recognized as one of the most coveted titles in domestic skiing, the Overall ASM Champions Cup competition is scored using a best four of six event format in 2001. Each season the six Champions Cup races rotate around the nation with a balance struck between the west, central and eastern regions of the U.S..

For 2001, the six ASM Champions Cup events are the Lake Placid Loppet (January 27, 2001), Boulder Mountain Tour (February 3, 2001), Mora Vasaloppet (February 11, 2001), Minnesota Finlandia (February 17, 2001), American Birkebeiner (February 24, 2001), Yellowstone Rendezvous (March 10, 2001).

Points based on top ten overall male and female placings will determine the 2001 Champions. No registration is required for the prestigious Champions Cup competition with season-long results posted on the official ASM website.

Stay in touch with 2001 ASM news and information by visiting the official ASM section of www.xcskiworld.com website. For more information email [email protected] or call (541) 317.0217.

### ###

ASM Series 2001 Schedule

January 20 Pepsi Challenge (Minnesota) (218) 865-6306

January 27 Lake Placid (New York) (800) 462-6236

January 27 Noquemanon Ski Marathon (Michigan) (888) 578-6489

February 3 First Security Boulder Mountain Tour (Idaho) (800) 634-3347

February 3 Craftsbury Marathon (Vermont) (800) 729-7751

February 11 Mora Vasaloppet (Minnesota) (800) 368-6672

February 17 Minnesota Finlandia (Minnesota) (218) 751-0041

February 24 Johnson Bank American Birkebeiner (Wisconsin) (800) 872-2753

February 25 Tour of Anchorage (Alaska) (907) 561-0949

March 10 Yellowstone N.P. Lodges Rendezvous (Montana) (406) 646-9379

March 18 Royal Gorgešs California Gold Rush (800) 500-3871