Vasaloppet

SkejtVasan

SkejtVasan offered 2 distances, 30k and 45k, with competitive and non competitive divisions in each distance. 30k participants started at 11:00, 45k at 12:00. The temperature was about +2C at the start, a few degrees warmer than forecast. The trail was well groomed but the warm temperature made the snow soft and heavy, particularly in the middle portion of the distance.

Vasaloppet

The morning temperature of -1C was a few degrees warmer than the forecast. There was wet snow falling from about 06:00 until after the start at 08:00. The sky remained cloudy all day. As usual, there was the sprint over the first kilometer to the bottom of the first hill, then the enormous bottleneck which is so frustrating to all those who start more than 3 groups back of the elite. Skiers lose far too much time at this point.

The tracks after the uphill were in very poor condition due to the morning snowfall and the large number of skiers. It was difficult to ski at one’s own pace for several kilometers. Skiers used only two tracks in many areas leaving the other tracks relatively slow. This made overtaking more difficult.

Food stations were well organized. Volunteers offered a tray containing a selection of drinks so that it was easy for everyone to obtain their preferred beverage.

The temperature rose to about +4C during the race. This made waxing increasingly difficult. There were many skiers stopped along the trail and long lineups at each of the wax booths.

Overall the race was very slow, the winner was Oskar Svärd (for the 3 rd time) in 4:43:40. The women’s winner was Elin Ek in 4:48:29, only 4:49 behind the men. The gap between the first place man and woman is usually about 25 minutes.

Post race return of skier belongings, ski deposit, shower facilities, meal service, WL stamps and diploma pickup were all very well organized.

Results of some IAWLS members:

 

 

This page was last revised on September 7, 2007