Today, the longest cross-country skiing race in the world takes place in Sweden. It’s called Vasaloppet and involves participants skiing 90 kilometers from start to finish. It is an extremely popular international race, which can last up to twelve hours and is broadcast live on television. When participation tickets become available, they sell out within 15 minutes – that’s how popular it is.
The first Vasalopp was in 1922 and takes place annually, the first Sunday in March, and is a first sign of spring. It’s an amazing sight to watch, as more than 15,000 crazy, happy skiers glide by, the swishing sound of skiing on snow filling the air.
For top athletes, 12 hours to complete the race is of course unthinkable. They go considerably faster. The one who completed the race fastest is the Norwegian Tord Asle Gjerdalen, who won the 2022 race in just over 3 hours and 28 minutes. Norwegian Astrid Öyre Slind holds the record for the women’s race at 3 hours and 50 minutes, also set in 2022. The fastest Swedes, just a few seconds slower, are Alvar Myhlback (2025) and Lina Korsgren (2021).
So why is this breed called the Vasalopp? Well, it takes its name from a Swedish king. The race commemorates the escape to Norway, through the forest, of King Gustav Vasa in 1521. Legend has it that he performed the grueling journey on skis, but experts believe he probably completed this escape on snowshoes.
Nevertheless, this legend gave rise to the race that is so popular today.
Modern skiers don’t see the experience as an escape, they see it as a challenge and for many of them it’s a rite of passage.
And as you sit in the comfort of your sofa watching the TV, with tea and toast, you enjoy the vicarious pleasure of this long, amazing Swedish race.
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I have been watching the Swedes since 1994. Not in a creepy, obsessive way, but like an adventurer in unknown territory who keeps a close eye on his surroundings. Together with my American business partner I run a training company in Stockholm. We hold seminars and workshops in the field of cultural awareness and communication. For more information on this, visit www.keytraining.se View all posts by Neil Shipley’s Watching the Swedes
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