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Vasaloppet is a long distance cross-country ski race (ski marathon) held in Dalarna, Sweden, annually on the first Sunday of March. It is the oldest, the longest, and the biggest cross-country ski race in the world. In the 80th race held on March 7, 2004 some 15,500 skiers competed in the main event, which is held over a distance of 90 kilometres between the village of Sälen and town of Mora. A total of more than 40,000 participated in one of the seven different races held during the first week of March. The race was started in 1922 being inspired by the run that the future King Gustav Vasa had made in 1520. Winner of the first race was Ernst Alm from Norsjö, who to date is also the youngest winner ever of the race.
History
In 1520 the young nobleman Gustav Ericsson Vasa was escaping from the troops of Christian II, king of Sweden and the countries of the Kalmar Union. A large part of the Swedish nobility was in opposition to the king, even having nicknamed him Christian the Tyrant. In a move to silence the opposition Christian invited the Swedish aristocracy to a reconciliation party in Stockholm, only to have them, including Gustav's parents, massacred in what came to be known as the Stockholm Bloodbath. Swedish kings have at a few occasions ordered murders on their opponents, but that has never been tolerated.
Gustav was escaping through Dalecarlia, fearing for his life and discovery by the kings troops, when he spoke to the assembled men of Mora, trying to convince them to raise a levy and start a rebellion against king Christian. The men were not convinced and by ski, Gustav Vasa started to make his way towards Norway, to find refuge there, when he was caught up at Sälen, by two ski runners. The men in Mora had changed their minds after getting confirmation on the Stockholm events, and wanted Gustav to lead the rebellion. On June 6, 1523 Gustav Vasa was crowned king of Sweden, having beaten the Danish king Christian and dissolved the Kalmar Union. Sweden has been fully independent ever since.
Sister Races
A sister race to the Swedish Vasaloppet is held annually on the 3rd Sunday of February in Mora, MN, USA. The American Vasaloppet features a 35km and 58km skate, a 42km classical race, and many other events in and around the town of Mora. The first place male and female racers in the American Vasaloppet win a trip to compete in the Swedish Vasaloppet.
The Chinese Vasaloppet has been held in Changchun since 2003.
World cup race
- The Swedish Vasaloppet is a member race of the Worldloppet Ski Federation, a series of long distance cross country ski races.
- The Swedish Vasaloppet is a member race of the Cross-country skiing World Cup 2006 is the first time.
The men return to the cross-country tracks on Sunday 5 2006 in the colossal 90km classic Vasaloppet race in More Sweden. Most of the big guns have decided to sit this one out due to it being so close to the closure of the Olympic Games in Turin and will be recovering from its demanding schedule.
Vasaloppet week
The week preceding Vasaloppet is known as Vasaloppet week. Races held during this week include:
- KortVasan (short - 30km)
- TjejVasan (ladies - 30km)
- HalvVasan (half - 45km)
- Öppet spår (non-competitive 90km)
- StafettVasan (relay 90km)
- SkejtVasan (free technique 30km and 45km).
Winners
See also
External links
- Vasaloppet - Official Swedish Site
- American Vasaloppet - Mora, MN, USA Race Site
Cross-country skiing | Dalarna
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"Vasaloppet"