– There are special circumstances. We drove past the starting area now, there was a pond in the middle of the starting area. I’m excited to see how they solve it tomorrow. That’s what an excited Petter Northug says to news before the traditional Vasaloppet gets underway on Sunday, with around 15,000 participants on the starting line. It is mild, two plus degrees and wet in Sälen, where the start is at 08.00 on Sunday morning. It rained well on Saturday, and even more rain is reported towards the start. 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 – Skikkelig power test In the starting area, there has been such a large accumulation of water that the organizer has deployed crews to pump away the water. – It is challenging. The 100th edition of the Vasaloppet will be extra tough, and it will be a real test of strength. Tomorrow it’s about doing things right with nutrition along the way and being in the right position, because it will be a special Vasaloppet, Northug believes. news’s reporter was also surprised by what met him in the starting area the day before the race: Photo: Terje Haugnes / news Northug believes the mild weather and wet conditions make it difficult for the thousands of skiers who will be in action on Sunday. – There is poor pole attachment, tough conditions, I think there will be a long winning time on both the women’s and men’s side. It will be a really, really tough test tomorrow, as it should be, but this year I think it will be extra tough, says the skiing legend to news. However, the Vasaloppet management is taking it all relatively calmly for the time being. – Now we will remove the water and add new snow tonight. The start should go as planned. That is the plan, says press officer Camilla Sandy Swarén to news. The organizer has been working hard for several days. They don’t get help from the weather until the start either. Photo: Morten Stenberg Gukild: – Absolute lake Emil Gukild, who is the host of the news podcast “Skiklubben”, will also go to the Vasaloppet on Sunday. He was out testing the slopes on Saturday and was not reassured by what he saw. – It is definitely a lake, yes, says Gukild to news. From the motel he lives in right at the start, he reports on bleak conditions. – The head of the race said on TV that they will add more snow and thinks it will go well. They had no plans to move the start or run pools. They drive traditionally, says Emil Gukild. NOT OPTIMIST: Emil Gukild posted this update on the training app Strava on Saturday. Photo: Screenshot / Strava – Is there a danger of parody from the start? – That start sounds like chaos to my ears, says Gukild. He says that long-distance running legend Anders Aukland has told about rumors that there have been traces of blood to be seen on the first hill, after the first pools have gone up there under normal conditions. Aukland is also co-host of the podcast “Skiklubben”. This is what it looks like after the starting shot in the Vasaloppet as usual. Here from the race in 2023. This year, worse conditions are expected. Photo: Ulf Palm / AP At the moment, however, a lake-like starting plain awaits the runners. And what can usually be described as a circus with around 15,000 runners, where everyone chases out at the same time, can be taken to a new level this year. – Joy mixed with horror is what I feel, says Gukild. Rain is forecast right up to the start. The organizer will be working hard through the night. Photo: Morten Stenberg Northug: – This will be tough Petter Northug does not think the conditions will do him any favors on Sunday. – I would have appreciated a little more converted snow and a little better pole attachment, but the form is decent and I’m looking forward to the Vasaloppet. It is one of the big highlights of the year for us long-distance runners. I look forward to it being a long and hard day between Sälen and Mora, says Northug. Petter Northug expects a tough race on Sunday. Photo: Terje Haugnes / news – Are you hoping for a trick run? – I hope for a race that suits me well, but I know, the way the long races have been this year, it will be fast. And there are many people who are happy about what has been done here. That there will be a calm pace, that will not happen. You just have to prepare for it to be hard, says Northug, who has a goal of top 10. news broadcasts the Vasaloppet from 07.45 on Sunday morning. Race start is 08.00. P. S: Emil Persson and Emilie Fleten won last year’s edition of Vasaloppet.
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This is where Northug and 15,000 others will go skiing – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
