On Sunday, March 5, it’s time for the eleventh event of Ski Classics Season XIV and the third Grand Classics of the season. Vasaloppet is celebrating its 99th edition in 2023.
The 90-kilometer race on the first Sunday of March is the oldest and most prestigious event in Ski Classics. With thousands of participants standing together at the same starting area, Vasaloppet is a long-distance mass start race that every Pro Tour athlete dreams about winning.
Importance and Traditions
Vasaloppet is not just the most extensive ski race in the world; it’s also one of the most significant sports events globally. The brand has evolved into an institution with several events and activities in its annual summer and winter weeks.
Since 1922, over 1.7 million participants have crossed Vasaloppet’s finish line portal. The saga of the race goes back to 1520, depicting the tale of Gustav Eriksson Vasa, who rebelled against Denmark and eventually became the first King of free Sweden, with the 2023 Vasaloppet edition marking the 500th anniversary since the crowning of the King.
A Popular Mountain Destination
Sälen, the start location of Vasaloppet, is known for its seven alpine ski resorts. The oldest of them is Högfjällshotellet, which was built in 1937 and remained one of the most popular vacation destinations in the area. Famous rock band U2 filmed their New Year’s Day music video in Sälen in December 1982.
Many mountain farms also serve waffles, snacks, and hot drinks, and Vasaloppet participants can enjoy their offerings when getting ready for the long journey from Sälen to Mora.
Swedish Tradition At Its Best
Mora is, of course, world-famous as the finish location of Vasaloppet, but it is much more. There is a very idyllic Scandinavian-style downtown area with boutiques, cafés with Swedish “fika,” great diners, and restaurants with local dishes.
The town is also known for its Mora knives and longcase clocks, and everyone knows the symbol of the area, Dalahäst – Dalecarlian horse, a traditional carved, painted wooden statue of a horse originating in the Swedish province of Dalarna.
With good cooperation over the years, Vasaloppet and Ski Classics keep developing together, bringing a century of traditions and culture since 1922 and recreating that in a modern way.
Vasaloppet – The Third Grand Classics Season XIV
Vasaloppet is the third Grand Classics this season. The Grand Classics are the four largest and most prestigious events in Ski Classics: Marcialonga, Jizerská50, Vasaloppet, and Birkebeinerrennet. The skier that wins all four events in the same season completes a Grand Slam.
During Season XI, the Grand Classics events and the Grand Slam were introduced in Ski Classics. The concept was an immediate success and a great motivation among the best Pro Team athletes of Ski Classics. Nobody has completed a Grand Slam in the history of long-distance skiing, but it might happen in Season XIV.
If you win all four Grand Classics, Marcialonga, Jizerská50, Vasaloppet, and Birkebeinerrennet, in the same season, you complete a Grand Slam.
Also Read: The Grand Classics Season XIV
Expect many battles in Sweden as the Pro Tour skiers fight for glory at Vasaloppet, the eleventh Ski Classics stage and the third Grand Classics event in Season XIV.
Vasaloppet – Ski Classics Pro Tour – Event 11
- Date: March 5, 2023
- Distance: 90km Classic Technique
- Location: Sälen-Mora, Sweden
- Start Time: Women 8:00 CET / Men 8:00 CET
- Number of SC Climbs: 1
- Climb: 3km First Hill
- Number of SC Sprints: 2
- Sprint 1: 11km Smågan
- Sprint 2: 47km Evertsberg
- Total Ascent: 950m
Vasaloppet – Course Map and Profile
You can find Vasaloppet program, start list, and live streaming on SC Play HERE.
Ski Classics Fantasy
The free-of-charge Fantasy League for Season XIV is in progress. Create or access your account now and start to set up your Fantasy Pro Team ahead of Vasaloppet and score the most points during the Ski Classics Season XIV.
How to Play
- Go to SC Fantasy via https://fantasy.skiclassics.com/
- Login with your existing Fantasy account or create a new one.
- Read through “HOW TO PLAY” to ensure you understand all the rules and new features.
- Go to “Team Selection” and choose/buy up to 10 athletes using your starting balance of 40.000 Fantasy dollars. Check out the start lists before each event to ensure that your athletes are on the start line.
- Remember to mark one of your athletes as a Team Captain!
- Go to “Leagues” and join an existing league or create your own to compete with your friends.
- Invite your friends and family to join you for free in an exciting battle for the win!
- Have fun, and may the best ski coach win!!
All TV Channels Season XIV
Vasaloppet is taking place this weekend, March 5. Here is an overview of where you can watch Ski Classics this season:
- SVT – Sweden
- NRK – Norway
- Czech TV – Czech Republic
- TVP – Poland
- WB Discovery – Finland
- Nent Group – Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, UK
- beIN Sports – Canada, Turkey, and USA
- Eurovision (EBU) – News rights
- SC PLAY – all countries (English commentary)
The Season XIV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 14 events on 10 event weekends in 6 different countries.
Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XIV (2022/2023)
- Event 1: December 10, 2022 – Bad Gastein PTT, Bad Gastein, Austria, 15km
- Event 2: December 11, 2022 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Bad Gastein, Austria, 35km
- Event 3: December 17, 2022 – La Venosta Criterium, Val Venosta, Italy, 36km
- Event 4: January 14, 2023 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Sexten, Italy, 62km
- Event 5: January 15, 2023 – Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, Niederdorf, Italy, 32km
- Event 6: January 21, 2023 – Engadin La Diagonela, Engadin Valley, Switzerland, 48km
- Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
- Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedrichov, Czech Republic, 50km
- Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
- Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 12km
- Event 11: March 5, 2023 – Vasaloppet, Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
- Event 12: March 18, 2023 – Birkebeinerrennet, Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
- Event 13: April 1, 2023 – Reistadløpet, Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 40km
- Event 14: April 2, 2023 – Summit 2 Senja, Bardufoss- Finnsnes, Norway, 67km
More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour you can find at skiclassics.com.
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