2011 American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation

2016-2017 American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation Board Candidate Profile Information Candidate Name: Ian D. Duncan Address: 137 Nautilus Drive City: Madison State: WI Zip: 53705 Home Phone: 608-233-0962 Other Phone:_608-514-5596 (cell)__ E-Mail Address: [email protected] Years of Membership in the ABSF: Not sure Occupation: Professor, UW-Madison Please respond to the following question. Why are you interested in being a member of the ABSF Board of Directors and what knowledge and skills do you possess that can benefit the organization? In the early 1980’s I read about the American Birkebeiner while working as a research fellow at McGill University in Montreal. I had taken up cross country skiing in Montreal and had done the Canadian Ski Marathon a few times as well as the Riviere Rouge race. I was looking for a job and while UW-Madison was trying to recruit me, the thought of skiing the Birkie tipped the scale. Well, thirty two Birkie’s later, the race has become a major part of my adult life. My family is also involved and my older son is a Birkie skier. This year I was reminded of the special place of the Birkie when listening to WORT in the comfort of my condo as the 6-hour plus finishers were interviewed. The thing that impressed me most was the joy and enthusiasm of the many young male and female competitors who despite their exhaustion, laughed and recounted the fun of the race and that they would do it all again, ‘Now that’s something worth preserving and promoting I thought!’ As a veteran ski racer both in the North America and in Europe where I have done the Norwegian Birkie and the Marcialonga I know what it takes for a ski race to be successful (apart from good snow!) I ran the Birke Skiers for Cure Program in 2009-2012 and raised over $300K for MS research. I was fortunate to be able to recruit Bjorn Daehlie and Vegard Ulvang to come out of retirement and ski the race as Ambassadors for MS research. During that time, I joined Steinar Hybertsen in making the documentary “Multiple Sclerosis, the Vikings and Nordic Skiing” which has been shown on several PBS stations and is a great advert for the Birkie. Fundraising is a major part of my life, an asset to serving on the Birkie Board. I have abundant experience in public speaking, both to fellow scientists and to the public about my work. The latter led to my induction into the Wisconsin Academy of Science Arts and Letters in 2009. These are all skills that may be useful to the Birkie Board. I have been a member of the Madison Nordic Ski club for many years and served on their board. While serving on the Birkie Board, I would be a strong advocate of the Classic Trail and exploring the feasibility of its expansion from Highway 00 to the lake and any other improvements that could enhance the classic skiers Birkie experience. I remain active in research at UW Madison and exercise year round in biking, triathlon and skiing although the latter remains my favorite. The joy of skiing on the Birkie trail at 20°F on good snow outside of the race, is my idea of a perfect day! .

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