In Vasaloppet, the mass start in Sälen has been an important tradition and since 1991 the start has been at 08.00 CET.
When Vasaloppet 2021 gets its starting place moved to Tjärnheden's IP in Sälen, it will be the premiere to try separate starting times for women and men.
"With all the changes this winter, Vasaloppet also has the opportunity to test different start times for women and men. We see it as a test this winter which we then have to evaluate," says Vasaloppet Sports Director Tommy Höglund.
That the ladies start 20 minutes before the men can mean that they finish almost at the same time; of course, a lot depends on the weather conditions.
"We have previously discussed our own start time with the girls and they see both advantages and disadvantages," says Höglund.
Höglund is looking forward to a slightly unusual edition of Vasaloppet 2021:
"We think it will be a good competition, albeit a little different. I know that athletes want to compete. It's also fun that we get Marit Bjørgen in the starting field on the women's side.
Top picture: On March 4, 2006, Marit Bjørgen won the 45 km World cup competition in classic technique that took place in the Vasaloppet track. One of her total of 114 World Cup victories! The time was 2.17.53. Second was Hilde G. Pedersen, Norway, 2.19.15, and third Petra Majdic, Slovenia, 2.21.16. Photo: Vasaloppet/Nisse Schmidt.
