Ezme Mundell and Cook County students participate in Kortelopet ski race in Wisconsin

Kalli Hawkins | March 2, 2025

Story by WTIP youth volunteer Ezme Mundell

On February 21st, 2025, I took on my first 29km race. The American Birkebeiner happens annually in Cable, Wisconsin, and has several different events. Some include the Kortelopet (29km), the Birkebeiner (50km), skijoring races, kids races, and lots more. This was their impressive 51st year of holding the races. It was my first year of being able to do the Kortelopet race (you must be 13 years old), and I chose to skate ski.

After warming up on the warm-up loops with my friend Emma Crook, we made our way to the start line. The race was a mass start, meaning everyone started at the same time. The beginning of the race was a short double pole. I heard the count down, and the whole crowd around me was cheering 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Go, Go, Go! I heard the crowd and the gun, and I was off! The race was truly amazing. It was gorgeous to be skiing in such a wonderful place filled with trees and snow; what could be better! I felt like a world cup skier out on that course, strong and powerful with each stroke! Nearing the end of the race, I was feeling fatigued. We ended on Hayward Lake for a 3k of flat V2 zone!

One of the coolest things about skiing that course was the finish, where you got to ski on the streets of downtown Hayward. Skiing down Main Street was never something I imagined doing in this 29km race, but it was cool with fans cheering at every angle. The last push of the race was up a tall bridge that shot you right to the finish line. Crossing that line was such an accomplishment for me. I felt pride and joy finishing the longest race of my 7th-grade season. I am so happy I got to share my first Kortelopet race with my fellow racer Emma Crook and with my family cheering me on, including my mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, sister, and one of my best friends, Thea Hedstrom. I can’t wait to do it again next year! Ezme Mundell raced the 29km race in 1 hour and 43 minutes. Emma Crook raced the 29km race in 1 hour and 41 minutes.

The next day, we cheered on the hard-working 50km racers. Representing Grand Marais, we had Emma Spoon (time of 2 hours and 52 minutes), Shane Steele (time of 2 hours and 21 minutes), and Angie Robinson (time of 3 hours and 15 minutes). What an impressive showing from Cook County! It was a fun weekend at the Birkie annual event!

Photos by Anne Mundell of the race below: