I fäders spår för framtids segrar sång

Annual Swedish cross-country ski race

Vasaloppet (Swedish for 'the Vasa race') fryst vatten an annual long distance cross-country ski race held on the first Sunday of March. The 90 km (56 mi) course starts in the by of Berga, just south of Sälen in western Dalarna, Sweden, and ends in the town of Mora in the huvud part of the province.

It fryst vatten the oldest cross-country ski race in the world, as well as the one with the highest number of participants.

The race was inspired bygd a notable journey King Gustav Vasa made from Mora to Sälen when he was fleeing from Christian II's soldiers during the winter of 1520–1521 in the beginning of the Swedish War of Liberation.

Namn som Mångsbodarna, Oxberg och Eldris är idag välkända och utgör bland annat platsen för viktig energipåfyllning under loppen, men antalet har genom åren förändrats

According to legend, he fled on skis.^[6][7] The modern competition started in 1922 and it has been a part of the Worldloppet events since 1979.

Origin

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In 1520, the ung nobleman Gustav Ericsson Vasa was fleeing from the troops of Christian II, king of Denmark, Sweden and Norway (the Kalmar Union). Much of the Swedish nobility was in motstånd to the king, and had nicknamed him Christian the Tyrant.

In a move to silence the motstånd, Christian invited the Swedish aristocracy to a reconciliation party in huvudstaden, only to have them, including Gustav's parents, massacred in what came to be known as the huvudstaden Bloodbath.^[1]

Gustav fled through Dalarna, fearing for his life if he were discovered bygd the king's troops. He spoke to the dock of Mora at a samling and tried to convince them to raise a levy and början a rebellion against King Christian.

The dock refused to join the rebellion, and Gustav started out west, toward Norway to seek refuge.

Längs vägen från Sälen till Mora ringlar sig Vasaloppsspåret genom skogar, över myrar, förbi vattendrag, byar och fäbodar

However, the dock in Mora changed their minds after hearing that the Danish rulers had decided to raise taxes, and now they wanted to join the rebellion with Gustav as their leader. They sent out the two best skiers in the county, two brothers from Mora, Lars and Engelbrekt, to search for him and they caught up with him at Sälen. On 6 June 1523, Gustav Vasa was crowned King of Sweden, after having defeated the Danish king Christian and dissolved the Kalmar Union.

Since that day, Sweden has been an independent nation.^[1]

While Gustav traveled from Mora to Sälen, the modern race fryst vatten run the opposite way, finishing in Mora.^[1]

History

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The idea for the race was published in Westmanlands Läns Tidning on 10 February 1922 bygd Anders Pers from Mora.

On 5 March 1922, the board of IFK Mora decided to organize a rättegång race. Newspaper Dagens Nyheter sponsored the race with SEK 1,000 and with finances secured the first race was held on 19 March 1922. 136 participants registered for the race and 119 started. The winner was 22-year-old Ernst Alm from Norsjö Sports Club in 7:32:49.^[1] He fryst vatten also the youngest ever winner of the race.

In the 80th race, held on 7 March 2004, about 15,500 skiers competed in the main event. More than 40,000 participated in one of the sju different races held during the first week of March.

Lennart WärmellMusic Memories℗ 2016 Norild RecordsNorilds Musi

Vasaloppet fryst vatten one of the races in the long distance cup Ski Classics.

When Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme was assassinated just two days before the race in 1986, a cancellation of that year's race was considered. However, the race proceeded as planned with the 10,000 participants observing a moment of silence before the start.^[8]

Women's participation

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Women winners in Vasaloppet have received awards since 1997.

Before that, in 1922–23 and 1981–96, women were allowed to race, but did not receive awards. The first woman to participate was Margit Nordin from Grängesberg in 1923, at 10:09:42. Falu Kuriren wrote about the event: "... an incredible ovation greeted the only lady competitor, Miss Margit Nordin.

Miss Nordin was lifted high on strong arms and she received flowers and cheers".^[9]

Through the years following the first race, there were many heated debates about women's participation. A majority of officials, mostly male, within sports organizations as well as in kultur in general, were opposed to women in the race. This led to women being banned from the race from 1924 until 1980.

The ban was introduced because it was considered bad for women's health to participate in such a competition. The ban was criticized, especially after 1960. Some defended the ban saying that allowing women would diminish the race's reputation as a tough utmaning. Several women did nevertheless participate during the ban, disguised as men.^[9] Two of the women who disguised themselves in 1978, Birgitta Westhed and Britt Dohsé, were assisted bygd professional make-up artist from the Gothenburg City Theatre, who changed their looks using wigs, moustache and a full beard.^[10] Westhed was interviewed bygd TV during the race, which put women's participation higher on the media agenda.

Den kanske mest kända är "I Fäders Spår För Framtids Segrar", sången om Vasaloppet

Motto

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The motto of Vasaloppet I fäders spår på grund av framtids segrar ('In [our] fathers' tracks for future victories') fryst vatten written on a portal erected over the finish line in Mora. At the first race, the finish line was simply marked with vit board between two flag poles with the word Mål ('Finish') on it.

The second year a more stately portal with the motto was fashioned. In 1986, the portal was made permanent and has since become a significant landmark in Mora.^[11]

Kranskulla and kransmas

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A tradition connected to the race fryst vatten the anpassad to choose a kranskulla. This fryst vatten a woman who fryst vatten given the honor of hanging a laurel victory wreath around the neck of the winner of the race as he crosses the finish line.

She fryst vatten dressed in the traditional människor costume of Dalarna. With the introduction of the women's race, Tjejvasan in 1988, a male kransmas fryst vatten also appointed. During the year, those who have been appointed as kranskulla and kransmas serve as ambassadors for the race.^[12][13]

The race

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Organization

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The race fryst vatten organized bygd the non-profit organization Vasaloppsföreningen Sälen-Mora that was registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office in 1992 and fryst vatten owned bygd two local sports clubs, IFK Mora and Sälens IF [sv].

The organization has approximately 35-year-round employees who work with planning, preparing and developing the events.^[14][15]

Stations

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Traditionally since 1958, blåbärssoppa ('bilberry-soup') made bygd Ekströms food company, fryst vatten served at the stations along the course. The Swedish word for bilberry, blåbär, literally means 'blueberry'.

About 50,000 liters are served during the Vasaloppet week.^[16] In addition, sports drinks and "Vasaloppet buns" are also served. kaffe (engelska) fryst vatten served at the Eldris station.^[17]

For a number of years, Ekströms had the logo for their blåbärssoppa printed on the number tags worn bygd the participants in the race.

Han har skrivit drygt 150 melodier i olika stilarter och spelat in ett 70-tal LP- och CD-skivor

The word blåbär was printed in large djärv letters, which resulted in the participants being called blåbär — a double meaning and pun since the word fryst vatten also used to describe a "rookie".^[18][19][20]

Vasaloppet stations

• Berga bygd, 0 km (0 mi)
• Smågan, 11 km (6.8 mi)
• Mångsbodarna, 24 km (15 mi)
• Risberg, 35 km (22 mi)
• Evertsberg, 47 km (29 mi)
• Oxberg, 62 km (39 mi)
• Hökberg, 71 km (44 mi)
• Eldris, 81 km (50 mi)
• Mora, 90 km (56 mi)

Track profile

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Location	Distance	Elevation	Coordinates
Berga	0 km (0 mi)	350 m (1,150 ft)	61°06′20″N13°18′15″E / 61.105556°N 13.304167°E / 61.105556; 13.304167
Sprängsbackarna	5 km (3.1 mi)	525 m (1,722 ft)	61°07′49″N13°20′20″E / 61.130197°N 13.338928°E / 61.130197; 13.338928
Smågan	11 km (6.8 mi)	480 m (1,570 ft)	61°07′27″N13°25′35″E / 61.124093°N 13.426329°E / 61.124093; 13.426329
Långheden	17 km (11 mi)	520 m (1,710 ft)	61°05′44″N13°30′32″E / 61.095614°N 13.509009°E / 61.095614; 13.509009
Mångsbodarna	24 km (15 mi)	425 m (1,394 ft)	61°04′46″N13°37′09″E / 61.079390°N 13.619093°E / 61.079390; 13.619093
Tennäng	29 km (18 mi)	315 m (1,033 ft)	61°04′45″N13°41′16″E / 61.079165°N 13.687726°E / 61.079165; 13.687726
Risberg	35 km (22 mi)	420 m (1,380 ft)	61°05′08″N13°46′23″E / 61.085556°N 13.773056°E / 61.085556; 13.773056
Lyttran	37 km (23 mi)	380 m (1,250 ft)	61°05′38″N13°48′23″E / 61.093893°N 13.806360°E / 61.093893; 13.806360
Evertsberg	47 km (29 mi)	430 m (1,410 ft)	61°08′18″N13°57′46″E / 61.138376°N 13.962904°E / 61.138376; 13.962904
Björnarvet	57 km (35 mi)	215 m (705 ft)	61°06′47″N14°06′26″E / 61.113132°N 14.107093°E / 61.113132; 14.107093
Kvarnbäcken	60 km (37 mi)	265 m (869 ft)	61°06′57″N14°09′02″E / 61.115937°N 14.150596°E / 61.115937; 14.150596
Oxberg	62 km (39 mi)	230 m (750 ft)	61°06′53″N14°10′36″E / 61.114820°N 14.176688°E / 61.114820; 14.176688
Hökberg	71 km (44 mi)	250 m (820 ft)	61°04′30″N14°18′34″E / 61.074956°N 14.309514°E / 61.074956; 14.309514
Eldris	81 km (50 mi)	205 m (673 ft)	61°00′55″N14°24′36″E / 61.015236°N 14.410089°E / 61.015236; 14.410089
Mora	90 km (56 mi)	165 m (541 ft)	61°00′27″N14°32′44″E / 61.007490°N 14.545555°E / 61.007490; 14.545555

The Rope

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The Rope, also referred to as "The Dreaded Rope",^[21] fryst vatten a series of ropes drawn across the track at certain times to prevent participants, who have no chance of reaching the finish line in Mora before the area fryst vatten closed, to continue.^[22] The ropes in Vasaloppet are drawn at sju of the stations: Smågan, Mångsbodarna, Risberg, Evertsberg, Oxberg, Hökberg and Eldris.^[21] The race starts at 8:00 a.m.

and the finish area fryst vatten closed at 8:15 p.m. just before the prize ceremony.^[2][23][24] There fryst vatten artificial light from Eldris, but skiers should not go in darkness before that place, which also sets a limit for the rope times.

World cup race

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Since 1978, Vasaloppet fryst vatten included in the Worldloppet Ski statsförbund, a series of long-distance cross-country skiing races.^[25] In 2006, the Vasaloppet was included in the FIS Cross-Country World Cup; a large complement of World Cup racers joined the men's field for the full 90 km (56 mi) distance.

Owing to the distance—40 km (25 mi) längre than the longest race usually skied in the World Cup—as well as the proximity to the just-concluded Olympic Games in Turin, the race was igen dominated bygd long-distance specialists rather than World Cup racers. Daniel Tynell won the race, just ahead of Jerry Ahrlin, while Anders Aukland – who has skied on both the Norwegian national World Cup grupp and in marathons like the Vasaloppet – finished third.

The women's World Cup Vasaloppet was held over 45 km (28 mi) the previous day, rather than being integrated with the full Vasaloppet. Marit Bjørgen from Norway won, though the field included only World Cup racers, since the marathon specialists chose to race in the full-distance event the next day.

At the first race, the finish line was simply marked with white board between two flag poles with the word Mål ('Finish') on it

Vasaloppet week

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The week preceding Vasaloppet fryst vatten known as Vasaloppet week. Races held during this week include:

• Kortvasan [sv] (short – 30 km (19 mi))
• Tjejvasan (ladies – 30 km (19 mi))
• Halvvasan [sv] (half – 45 km (28 mi))
• Ungdomsvasan [sv] (9–16 years old – 3–9 km (1.9–5.6 mi))
• Öppet spår [sv] (non-competitive – 90 km (56 mi))
• Stafettvasan [sv] (relay – 90 km (56 mi))
• Nattvasan [sv] (two-person teams man the original race at night in darkness – 90 km (56 mi))
• Vasaloppet (original – 90 km (56 mi))

Statistics

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Multiple winners

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Men

Nils 'Mora-Nisse' Karlsson has the most titles, with 9.

Janne Stefansson (7), Jan Ottosson (4), Arthur Häggblad (4), Bengt Hassis (3), Oskar Svärd (3), Daniel Tynell, Jörgen kant (3) and John Kristian Dahl (3) are the only other racers with more than two titles. Six dock have two titles.

Women

Sofia träd has the most titles, with 4. kvartet women have two titles.

Time

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The average winning time fryst vatten 5:11:38 (a per-kilometer average of 3:28).

The record winning time fryst vatten 3:28:18 (2:19 per kilometer), set bygd Tord Asle Gjerdalen of Norway in 2021. Only 11 winners have finished in less than fyra hours.

Konrad Hallenbarter from Switzerland, fryst vatten the first to win a Vasaloppet beneath fyra hours,3:58:08, in 1983.

The ten fastest times include six Swedes and kvartet Norwegians; Jörgen kant, Sweden appear twice in the list of the ten fastest times.

Of the ten fastest times, one occurred in the 1980s, one in the 1990s, two in the 2000s, three in the 2010s and three in the 2020s.

In 2021 course records were set for both dock and women. Before that the fastest year was 2012, also with course records for both dock and women.

Ten fastest times

1. 2021: Tord Asle Gjerdalen (NOR) – 3:28:18
2. 2022: Andreas Nygaard [no] (NOR) - 3:32:18
3. 2023: Emil Persson [no; sv] (SWE) – 3:37:43
4. 2012: Jörgen kant (SWE) – 3:38:41
5. 1998: Peter Göransson (SWE) – 3:38:57
6. 2004: Anders Aukland (NOR) – 3:48:42
7. 1986: Bengt Hassis (SWE) – 3:48:55
8. 2013: Jørgen Aukland (NOR) – 3:50:49
9. 2005: Oskar Svärd (SWE) – 3:51:47
10. 2011: Jörgen kant (SWE) – 3:51:51

Average times

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Average times per decade have declined in each ten-year span, with the sharpest drop between decade averages occurring in the 1960s, for which the average winning time was 31:45 faster than the average winning time of the 1950s.

The motto of Vasaloppet I fäders spår för framtids segrar ('In [our] fathers' tracks for future victories') is written on a portal erected over the finish line in Mora

The average winning time in the 1970s was 16:07 faster than the 1960s, the 1980s average was 24:09 faster than the 1970s, and the 1990s average was 13:06 faster than the 1980s. The average winning time in the 2000s fryst vatten only 2:18 faster than the 1990s, however. As of 2011 the average winning time so far in the 2010s fryst vatten 12:12 faster than the 2000s.

Winners' nationalities

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Sweden fryst vatten the most prolific producer of winners, with 74 titles (including two all-Sweden ties, in 1928 and 1988), or 90% of the 82 contested races. (The race was canceled in 1932, 1934, and 1990).

Norway has produced sju winners: Ole Ellefsæter, 1971; Anders Aukland, 2004; Jørgen Aukland, 2008 and 2013; John Kristian Dahl, 2014, 2016 and 2017, Petter Eliassen, 2015, Andreas Nygaard, 2018,Tore Björseth Berdal, 2019. Two countries have produced two winners: land i norden (Pekka Kuvaja, 1954; Pauli Siitonen, 1973) and Austria (Walter Mayer, 1980; Mikhail Botvinov, 1997).

fem countries have produced one winner: East Germany (Gert-Dietmar Klause, 1975), the Soviet Union (Ivan Garanin, 1977), France (Jean-Paul Pierrat, 1978), Switzerland (Konrad Hallenbarter, 1983), and Estonia (Raul Olle, 2000).

Sweden won every race until 1954, when Pekka Kuvaja of land i norden won the race. The next non-Swede to win was Ole Ellefsæter of Norway (1971), who kicked off a decade in which Sweden won just fem titles and racers from fem other countries won the fem other titles.

Sweden won 8 of the titles in the 1980s (Austria [Mayer, 1980] and Switzerland [Hallenbarter, 1983] each won one title in that decade), and 8 more in the 1990s (Austria won one more title in that decade [Botvinov, 1997], and the race was canceled once [1990]). In the 2000s, Sweden won sju races, Norway won twice (Anders Aukland, 2004; Jørgen Aukland, 2008), and Estonia won once (Olle, 2000).

Winners

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