Race Story: Memories from Birkie Warrior Torstein

• The thrill of bending my skis after taking them out of my “MacGyvered” homemade steam box filled via a radiator hose attached to a pressure cooker
• Watching Inga (Josie) wood burn a beautiful design on the tips of my skis
• The excitement of testing my skis for the first time a week prior to the Birkie

• Being the only adults officially encouraged to ski the Barnebirkie with over 1000 kids
• Experiencing near celebrity status- being asked for hundreds of photos, interviews and questions
• Being initially denied at packet pick-up because I didn’t have a photo ID on my person, but then allowed through by the volunteer who said, “I think you can trust him, just look at him”, ie anyone going to the trouble of dressing in wool, mukluks and a metal helmet while carrying a shield and sword probably is who he says he is.  Then “proving” my identity to the suspicious volunteer by correctly stating my address, date of birth and number of Birkies skied.
• Watching the amazed looks when people saw my brother’s and my homemade skis with leather bindings.  Telling them that the leather strap wasn’t covering up a racing binding.  Explaining how good the skis kick, how the glide wasn’t too bad (until it warmed up near the end), and admitting that the skis control was pretty poor but being satisfied by meeting 2 out of 3 main design criteria.
• Feeling concerned about how in the world we were going to be able to control our skis coming down the hills from the high point
• Being truly thankful of prayers for safety

• Being the first skiers on the course and feeling the excitement and energy of greater than 8000 skiers behind us, yet experiencing the pristine and quiet trail ahead of us.
• Watching my beautiful wife and precious son ski ahead of me with red cape flowing regally in the wind
• Watching Karl point with excitement when the helicopter filming the lead pack flew overhead
• Being surprised that skiers were thanking us for playing our role as Birkie Warriors.
• Encouraging skiers who passed us the entire length of the course
• Realizing that my skis perform much like a toboggan on the down hills - they pick up speed quickly but turn slowly.
• Hearing reports from other skiers that my dad was close behind.  Skiing with him for a while and then watching him glide on ahead as Karl tried to urge us to keep pace with Grandpa.
• The roar on main street!
• Karl running down the sidewalk along main street in his puffy snowsuit and tunic and waving to people and trying to shake their hands