The first event of 2020 and the first Visma Ski Classics Challengers in Asia, Vasaloppet China took place today. The 50km classic race was a scene for some beautiful landscapes, snow sculptures and a lot of action.
With a sunny day, clear sky and freezing temperatures, athletes from 18 nationalities participated in the competition, located in Jingyuetan National Forest Park in the outskirts of Changchun, Jilin Province. Norwegian Pro Team athlete Vinjar Skogsholm, Team ParkettPartner Sjusjøen and Marina Chernusova from Russia where the first skiers to cross the finish line.
In the men’s race, the winner Vinjar Skogsholm had a tough sprint against the Russians Raul Shakirzyanov and Konstantin Glavatskikh, finishing second and third respectively, with Czech Pro Team athlete Fabián Stocek, Vltava Fund Ski Team finishing in fourth place just 1 second behind the winner.
In the women’s race the Russian Marina Chernusova had no rivals finishing first with a gap of more than 2 minutes ahead of second place and fellow countrywoman Polina Kalsina and more than 8 minutes from Norwegian Pro Team skier Ingeborg Dahl, TEAM XPND, who completed the podium in third place.
Next Visma Ski Classics Challengers event is Craft Ski Marathon, tomorrow, in Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden. Vasaloppet China and Craft Ski Marathon results will be available at Visma Ski Classics Livecenter – https://vismaskiclassics.com/livecenter/
