Former Eau Claire Leader-Telegram editor Jerry Poling has written a new book about the American Birkebeiner ski race. An Oct. 29, 2025 article in the Eau Claire newspaper covered the new book’s release.
Jerome “Jerry” Poling’s new book is called “American Birkebeiner: The Nation’s Greatest Ski Marathon” and tells the stories of those who have competed in the cross-country ski race held annually near Cable, Wisconsin.
Those who compete in the “Birkie” 20 times receive the designation of Birchlegger Skier. With 19 races under his belt, Poling writes, Elmer Hassett hoped to reach the benchmark in 1996 but cancer treatment kept him sidelined. He passed away early the following year but not before asking his pastor, Lynn Larson, to ski the race while carrying his ashes. Larson did.
Poling also is in the Birchleggings Club, having skied in half of the 50 Birkies that have been held. He covered several more as a journalist as well. Poling retired in January from UW-Stout after 15 years with the university. He previously was an editor for the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, where he worked for 27 years.
Poling’s book required extensive research and more than 60 interviews. It features 150 photographs. The Birkie’s demanding core events are classic and skate races, respectively, that are 33 and 31 miles in length.
“The goal is to capture 50 years of the Birkebeiner’s history in detail,”said Poling, whose writing credits also include two books on the Green Bay Packers and another on Henry Aaron. “Hopefully, it [also] captures the spirit of what the race is.”
Poling’s book is available through the Wisconsin Historical Society Press (tinyurl.com/3nmuf3df ) and at retail and online booksellers. It’s also available as an e-book from major outlets. A portion of the proceeds benefits the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation.
