{"id":202,"date":"2017-03-22T16:02:44","date_gmt":"2017-03-22T15:02:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ensvenskklassiker.se\/en\/?page_id=202"},"modified":"2020-02-13T11:37:06","modified_gmt":"2020-02-13T10:37:06","slug":"vasaloppet","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ensvenskklassiker.se\/en\/our-races\/vasaloppet\/","title":{"rendered":"Vasaloppet"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vasaloppet \u2013\u00a0\u00a0the world’s oldest, longest and biggest ski race.<\/h2>\n
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Vasaloppet is the world\u2019s oldest, longest and biggest cross-country ski race. It has a rich history and tradition; hundreds of thousands of skiers have tackled the 90 km stretch from S\u00e4len to Mora since the start in 1922.<\/h4>\n

The first race was in 1922 and the classic 90 km stretch from Berga by in S\u00e4len to Mora was, for a long time, the only Vasaloppet race. Today there are sixteen different races; cycling, running and cross-country skiing, that together attract 100,000 registered participants every year. All these races run along the historic stretch between S\u00e4len and Mora.<\/p>\n

Vasaloppsf\u00f6reningen S\u00e4len-Mora has approximately 35 year-round employees who work with planning, preparing and developing these events.<\/p>\n

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The classic races in Vasaloppet<\/h3>\n

Vasaloppet 90 km<\/h4>\n

Vasaloppet is the world\u2019s oldest, longest and biggest cross-country ski race. It has a rich history and tradition; hundreds of thousands of skiers have tackled the 90 km stretch from S\u00e4len to Mora since the start in 1922. Rigorous training and careful preparation is needed to complete this 90 km challenge. It is a race with classic technique along a magical landscape, followed by two million television viewers in Sweden alone. Now is the time to rise to the challenge!<\/p>\n

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\u00d6ppet sp\u00e5r 90 km<\/h4>\n

For those who wish to participate in the world\u2019s longest ski race from S\u00e4len to Mora without competing against anyone but themselves. The track is exactly the same as in Vasaloppet and it runs past the same checkpoints. The challenge is identical, as is the marvellous nature along the track. Train rigorously and prepare yourself for 90 kilometres of classic technique skiing. See you in Mora!<\/p>\n

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Vasaloppet 30 km<\/h4>\n

The race for everyone, young and old.<\/h4>\n
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Kortvasan is the race for everyone! Since its inception in 1997, Kortvasan has gathered families and friends, young and old, to tackle the 30 km from Oxberg to Mora. With good training and preparation, anyone can take on this challenge! The technique is classic and everyone from the age of 12 and up are welcome to participate. Take this opportunity to experience true joy and fellowship in the ski tracks!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Tjejvasan 30 km<\/h4>\n

The world’s biggest ski race only for women.<\/h4>\n
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This race is 30 km long and only for women. An unusual experience where the elite stands side by side with groups of friends competing for fun. The festive mood is high and the track lined with live music and activities. Simply put, it is a fantastic combination of joy, sweat and community. Although the race is relatively short, you will need to prepare well to complete this challenge. Tjejvasan is broadcast live on Swedish Television every year since 2012.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Vasaloppet 45 km<\/h4>\n
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If you want a real challenge and a marvellous nature experience. This half Vasaloppet starts in Oxberg and, unlike our shorter races, takes an extra turn around the terrain before reaching the finish in Mora. The race is 45 km and relatively easy to ski, but remember that none of our races should be undertaken without good preparation and training.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The story of Vasaloppet<\/h3>\n

Vasaloppet started in 1922, but really it is much older than that. The first Vasalopp was carried out as early as 1521 by Gustav Eriksson. During his flight from the Danish king he stopped in S\u00e4len and returned to Mora to lead the uprising against the occupation forces. Gustav Eriksson eventually united the realm and became Sweden\u2019s first king, better known under the name Gustav Vasa. In other words, S\u00e4len is not only the starting point for the world\u2019s largest exercise race; it is also the starting point for the history of our whole country.<\/p>\n

Anders Pers, from Mora, is the father of Vasaloppet. It was from his thoughts that the world\u2019s biggest ski race was born. He wrote about the contemporary interest in skiing and linked it to Gustav Eriksson Vasa\u2019s flight on skis from Mora towards Norway in 1521.<\/p>\n

In an article in a local newspaper, Vestmanlands L\u00e4ns Tidning, on 10th February 1922, he launched the idea of a Vasalopp. The national newspaper, Dagens Nyheter, reprinted his article the day after and, at the same time, gave its support for a long ski race, a test of endurance, as a commemoration of Gustav Vasa. After some considerable press debate, both for and against the idea, IFK Mora\u2019s Board decided on 5th March to run a trial race, if there was some suitable financial backing. Dagens Nyheter donated 1,000 crowns to the arrangers and thus made it possible for the first Vasaloppet to be run on Sunday 19th March 1922.<\/p>\n

Carl Emmanuel Berg from G\u00f6ta in Karlstad was the first to register for Vasaloppet, on March 10th. In total 136 registrations came in to the competition secretariat by telegraph and telephone. 119 skiers came to the start, among them some of the foremost in Sweden: Per-Erik \u201cS\u00e4rna\u201d Hedlund, Str\u00e5l Lars Eriksson, IFK Mora, Jonas Persson, Arbr\u00e5, and Oskar Lindberg from Norsj\u00f6 in V\u00e4sterbotten.<\/p>\n

At precisely 6.04 am, the race steward, Johan Westling, flagged the Vasalopps skiers off from Olnispag\u00e5rden on the west side of the river in S\u00e4len. 7 hours 32 minutes and 49 seconds later the victor reached the goal in Mora after 90 kms skiing in sleet and snow. And it was Ernst Alm, from Norsj\u00f6 IF, who won, five minutes before Oskar Lindberg, from the same club.<\/p>\n