The new Visma Ski Classics Challengers season started on April 17th with Fossavatnsgangan in Iceland; an event still raced on snow. After this, the roller ski season will open in June with Båstad-Mölle, a brand-new event in Sweden.
Båstad-Mölle is the newest long-distance roller ski race in the South of Sweden. With the goal to develop it into a 100 km long race with start in Båstad and finish in Mölle, the event will take place for the first time on June 5th, 2021.
It’s a 3-year strategy to develop the event into the longest roller ski event in the area. The first year, a shorter course of 57 km will be used, which goes on Hallandsåsen in a hilly landscape.
The race combines challenge with beauty as set out in North-West Skåne, on Hallandsåsen, with its rolling hills and sea views. The start will be in the village of Båstad, known amongst other things for hosting international tennis tournaments and also being a hot spot for summer vacations in Sweden. The 2021 race finish will be close to Båstad with the goal to extend it in the following years until Mölle, another Swedish summer vacation hot spot. There will also be two shorter distances offered as Båstad-Mölle Åket with 40 and 20 km without timing.
“We are enthusiastic about starting the first Visma Ski Classics Challengers in the South of Sweden. To be a part of the Visma Ski Classics family means a lot to us. It gives us a unique opportunity and support to make the race grow,” says Lennart Klingberg, Chief of Competition.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the number of participants will be limited, and only participants with a FIS code are able to race. Registrations are already open and can be made here: https://raceid.com/en/races/7627/registration.
All participants will be able to collect points for the SC ranking, which they can check by signing up for free to MyPages. MyPages provides one common ranking for women and men, professionals, and recreational skiers alike.
Pro Team registered athletes can collect points for the Ski Classics Champion and Youth competitions in respective gender.
A list of Challengers events with confirmed dates for season 2021/22 can be found at vismaskiclassics.com. The list will be updated continuously with new events.