Team Birkie is a Midwest-based professional ski team led by Team Director Yuriy Gusev and Head Coach, Julie Ensrud. Team Birkie was formed through a collaboration between the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation, The Loppet Foundation, and Central Cross Country Skiing (CXC). In this episode, we dive into the history of professional ski racing in the midwest, how Team Birkie got started, and the direction Team Birkie wants to take going forward.  

The team supports athletes competing at the World Cup, U.S. SuperTour, and regional marathon levels, as well as biathletes and college summer skiers. Team Birkie is dedicated to advancing skiing in the Central Region. With its home base in Minneapolis, MN, Team Birkie promotes partnership and community engagement, striving to set higher standards in the sport and inspire the next generation of Nordic skiers.