American Birkebeiner: Plymouth man to re-enact Norwegian legend

Tom Lawn never had it so tough on a pair of skies.

For one thing, the ones he's wearing these days are cumbersome and made of wood. For another thing, he's wearing a noticeably heavier-than-normal outfit as he trudges through the snow.

It's all part of his unique mission in this year's Norwegian-styled American Birkebeiner ski race, which spans a roughly 54-kilometer course in northwest Wisconsin. Lawn, 60, of Plymouth, will be re-enacting a fabled Norwegian ski legend during the event - and his 13th century-style wardrobe will help him fit the part. ...