The Canadian Birkebeiner’s Haakon Haakonsson Award
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The Haakon Haakonsson award recognizes dedication to the Birkebeiner tradition. It is an award that is exclusive to the Canadian Birkebeiner, and awards all skiers who have skied in the Norwegian, American and Canadian Birkebeiner long distance events. Skiers from all over Canada and many from the USA have won this award. The Haakon Haakonsson award was started in the early 1990’s by the
founder of the Canadian Birkebeiner, Brian Peters. A special award
would be presented to skiers who completed the long distance events in
the Norwegian, American and Canadian Birkebeiners. The three long
distance events, ranging from 52 km (American) to 58 km (Norwegian)
need not be skied in one winter season. Skiing the long distance, with
or without a pack, would be – and still is - the criteria to become a
member of this elite awards club. |
Ole Hovind Award
Ole Hovind was one of the pioneers of skiing
in Alberta, active from the 1920’s to the 1980’s. Born in Telemark, Norway, he moved to Canada in 1926. Ole was active in all forms of
skiing - cross country racing, ski jumping, alpine skiing, backcountry
touring. Instrumental in re-vitalizing the then-dormant Edmonton Ski
Club in 1935, he was one of a core group who formed Edmonton Nordic Ski
Club in the 1970’s when cross country skiing became popular. Well
known among thousands of Edmonton skiers for running The Edmonton Journal Learn to ski programs in
the 1970’s and 80’s, he convinced several instructors in the program to
go to the Norwegian Birkebeiner with him in 1983, including Les Finch,
Kris Nyhus, Bill Burgess, Ken Burgess and Brian Peters. A good time
was had by all! The following year these people formed the Canadian
Birkebeiner Society. The Ole Hovind Award was created in Ole’s memory
and is presented annually to the skier who best represents the spirit
of the Birkebeiner and the things which Ole valued – skiing for the
sheer joy of it, having fun, joking a lot, achieving something and just
getting out there and doing it. Being Norwegian helps but is not
mandatory |
John Toonen Memorial Award
| John Toonen was born in Holland in 1944, and came to Canada in 1965 where he learned to cross country ski. It became a passion with him that lasted the rest of his life. He was one of the original participants of the Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival. It was an event that he looked forward to with great anticipation every year. He had earned the privilege of wearing a “Red Bib” by completing all of the 15 events held annually in Edmonton before being taken from us on January 19, 2002 at the age of 57. He also completed the American and Norwegian Birkie, thus earning the coveted Haakon Haakonsson award. We hope his spirit will live on through this cross country ski event that he loved so much. The John Toonen Memorial Award was donated by John’s wife, Margaret. The permanent wall trophy is a beautiful wood plaque with names etched on individual name plates. This award is presented annually to a skier in the 55km event who exemplifies John Toonen’s qualities. |
| 2002 | 55 km distance - Oldest Skier to Finish Frank Haley, + 77 years, Edmonton |
| 2003 | Oldest Female Skier Roxie Neale, + 80 years, Calgary |
| 2004 | 5 km Birkebeiner with Pack - +70 Age winner Irvin Servold, Devon |
| 2005 | 55 km Birkebeiner with Pack – Oldest Female finisher Diane Antoniuk, 50-59 age class, Saskatchewan |
| 2006 | Cancelled / carry over |
| 2007 | 55 km distance – Youngest finisher Ciara Bailey Age 13 |
| 2009 |
55 km distance – Sweep (last finisher across the line) David Parker, 60-69 age class, Edmonton |
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2010 |
55 km Birkie Lite - Oldest Female Finisher Bridie Ford, 60-69 age class, Stettler |
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2011 |
55 km Birkie Lite - Oldest Male Finisher Bill Pearce, 70-79 age class, Edmonton |
The Colored Bibs (Red, Purple and Yellow)
| Wondering why some skiers are wearing a red, purple or yellow cloth bib? | ||
| The Red Bibs are participants who have skied every year in the 55 km distance. There are only 6 of the prestigious red bibs. |  |
2007 Red Bib skiers Phil Dunn Klaus Huckfeldt Georg Kriegel Andy Lamb Gerald Streefkerk Paul Zimmermann |
- Check the results page for this elite group of skiers.
- Purple bibs are participants who have skied at least 10 years in the 55 km distance. There are approximately 40 skiers eligible to ski with a purple bib - In 2007, 76 finishers wore Purple Bibs.
- Yellow bibs are the winners from last year in the overall and age
categories in the 55 km distance events. If you are chasing a yellow
bib, you are going pretty fast!