Race of the Week: Vasaloppet

Perhaps I should apologize that for the third time in a row, the race of the week is from the world of cross country skiing. But there is now way to ignore the fact that the biggest and most prestigious cross country race on the planet is coming up. After winning gold at the Olympics or World Championships, most cross country skiers would want to win the Vasaloppet in Sweden. 

The race is not only for elite pro skiers though, because this Sunday morning some 16 thousand skiers of all levels of ability will leave the starting area in Sälen, hoping to make it all the way to the finish in downtown Mora.  Not everyone will. The total distance is 90 km, and on the way you have to pass through a few cut-out gates before they close. If you don’t make it in time, you have to abandon the race and take the bus to Mora.

The Vasaloppet has grown from being a single event to a festival that stretches over more than a week. On the program you will find variety of races, such as children’s race, relay, half-Vasa-distance race, “open track” and more, as well as numerous cultural events. This year, the organizers have received more than 60 thousand registrations for the various races of the festival.

I have skied the Vasaloppet once, and made it all the way! The experience was incredible. This race is a benchmark for all other races when it comes to organization, logistics, atmosphere, the crowd along the course etc.  For many of my friends, this race is like a magnet. They travel to Sweden year after year to be a part of this festival. I loved the race also, but I prefer to try different races rather than going to the same place over and over again. And, while the experience of skiing the Vasaloppet cannot be beaten, I have to say that the course itself is far from the most fun or exiting one I have tried. To be honest, it is quite dull at times, mostly flat with very limited variety in the landscape.  But you don’t really ski the Vasaloppet just for the course. You ski it for the challenge of finishing a 90 km race. You ski it for the indescribable atmosphere before, during and after the race. You ski it for the enthusiastic crowd along the track. You ski it for the blueberry soup at the feeding stations. You ski it for the pure joy which engulfs everything and everyone during the festival. And, you ski it for the prestige of participating in the biggest single skiing event in the world.

For practical info on traveling and such, see http://www.worldloppetskier.com/