The application period is now over for the historic ski race Jubileumsvasan, which will recreate the very first Vasaloppet in 1922.
A total of 532 applications have been received. The jury's work is now underway to select the 139 participants who will get a chance to start the race in Sälen on February 12, 2022, and travel ninety kilometres to Mora on primitive wooden skis.
532 people, both men and women, Swedes and internationals, have sent in applications to participate in Jubileumsvasan. Some potential participants are well-known while others are not, but shared in common are exciting backgrounds and great interest in sports and history. Applicants were asked to answer in under 2,000 characters "why do you have what it takes to ski 90 km from Sälen to Mora in contemporary equipment from 1922?"
"It's really great that so many have applied to participate," says Vasaloppet's CEO Johan Eriksson who is also the chairman of the jury.
"This will be a unique experience during our 100th anniversary. Media interest and social media buzz was surprisingly large when we unveiled Jubileumsvasan in May and there's also been interest from abroad to visit and report on the race."
What happens now?
"We'll read applications and hold a meeting to select participants. I can already reveal that there are many qualified applicants and the jury will have a tough time narrowing it down to only 139 people. I know that there are many interesting ski profiles and great stories that will spice up the race."
What will the jury look for to make the call of who gets to participate?
"The jury will judge participants' physical abilities, as Jubileumsvasan will be a highly demanding race, but participants should also show their commitment to having contemporary equipment from the 1920s."
When will the jury have a final selection?
"At the start of July, we'll present participants and everyone who applied will be notified if their application was successful or not," Johan Eriksson concludes.
FACTS/The five jury members
The jury consists of five people: Johan Eriksson, Vasaloppet CEO and chairman of the jury; Susanna Kallur, exercise inspirer for Motionsklubben and GetVibes; Petter Karlsson, journalist and author; Karin Mattsson, chairman of the Swedish Ski Association; Johanna Ojala, host of Viaplay's winter venture.
Read more on Jubileumsvasan 2022
https://www.vasaloppet.se/en/100years/jubileumsvasan/
Top photo: Vasaloppet.
