Norway’s Torleif Syrstad took a commanding victory at the Vasaloppet on Sunday, after breaking from the opening phase of the race. But right before the finish line, things started to go wrong. The TV images showed that demonstrators had entered the track just before Syrstad was on his way over the Aukland bridge and towards the run. The guards had to physically throw the protesters to the ground to prevent a scandalous end to the race. It took up a basket roof before Syrstad passed them. Facts about Vasaloppet This is the Swedish ski race Vasaloppet, which is organized for the 100th time on Sunday 3 March: * Start: Sälen * Finish: Mora * Distance: 90 kilometers * Style: Classic * First race: 1922 * Number of registered participants in 2024: 15,800 (943 Norwegians) * Female share: 20.5 percent * Track record men: Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Norway 3.28.18 (2021) * Track record women: Astrid Øyre Slind, Norway 3.50.06 (2022) * Norwegian winners, men: Ole Ellefsæter (1971), Anders Aukland (2004), Jørgen Aukland (2008 and 2013), John Kristian Dahl (2014, 2016 and 2017), Petter Eliassen (2015 and 2020), Andreas Nygaard (2018 and 2022), Tore Bjørseth Berdal (2019 ), Tord Asle Gjerdalen (2021). * Norwegian winners, women: Vibeke Skofterud (2012), Laila Kveli (2013 and 2014), Astrid Øyre Slind (2022), Emilie Fleten (2023). Source: NTB Action announced There are many indications that it is climate activists from Extinction Rebellion. “In connection with the finish in the Vasaloppet today, activists from Extinction Rebellion are appearing at various places in Mora. With a visual presentation, they will urge Vasaloppet’s organizer to terminate Preem as the main sponsor”. This press release was published on Sunday morning, two hours into the Vasaloppet, by the climate activists in Extinction Rebellion. The petroleum company Preem has been a supporter of the traditional race for several years. Two hours later, they made serious use of the words. Sunday’s action is not an isolated incident. In recent years, environmental demonstrators have struck in connection with major skiing competitions in both Norway and Sweden, most recently during the trial World Cup in Trondheim in December, which stirred up several cross-country skiing profiles. During last year’s Vasalopp, climate activists jumped into the track when the lead passed Hökberg. Had security been tightened The organizers were therefore prepared that new campaigns would appear during Sunday’s race. New security corridors on the run, secret surveillance around the track and extra training of officials were put into use to prevent environmental actions, Johan Eriksson, managing director of Vasaloppet, could reveal to the Swedish news agency TT before the start. Despite the security measures, the campaigners managed to carry out actions on Sunday. When asked by TT, Eriksson defended the collaboration with the petroleum company Preem and points out that their work with renewable fuel is important for Vasaloppet’s use of buses and track machines, writes NTB. – Too good to be true Syrstad is the ninth Norwegian in history to win the prestigious race. On the last pass he led by well over two minutes. – There are so many factors you have to hit on, and he has hit the mark on everything, boasted news expert Carl Fredrik Hagen. – It is too good to be true. It’s a big day today, it’s my day, says Syrstad to news. Challenging conditions and chaos before the start It wasn’t just climate activists who made Sunday’s 100th edition of the Vasaloppet special. Many were excited about the conditions before the start. Precipitation and mild weather had led to very loose tracks, and Petter Northug admitted to news that he closed his eyes when he drove past the starting area on Saturday. However, the start went as normal, but it was far from dream conditions for the traditional race on Sunday. – The problem is that it hasn’t been below freezing for several days, so the snow can’t settle either. I’m glad I’m sitting here in the studio, said expert commentator Simen Østensen after a start where you could clearly see snow splashes and wet conditions from the first pitch. It wasn’t just the weather that presented challenges before the nine-mile test of strength. – I will bring a message from “Team Madshus”, which describes a traffic chaos and many who have not made it to the start, with cars and buses that are strewn along smooth access roads. It has been boring for some who have not started before the shot went off at 8 o’clock precisely, as it should be in the Vasaloppet, said news commentator Ole Kristian Stoltenberg. Scandalous scenes in the World Cup: – Oi! It is extremely dangerous! 00:47 Klæbo – he hugged me tightly 00:51 Mowinckel paid tribute to Kvitfjell 00:48 Tøyser with comfort from mom 00:59 Show more
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Almost-scandal in the Vasaloppet – basket roof before the finish line – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
