Britta Johansson Norgren won Tjejvasan 2017

”Everything went right today, my form and technique. The surface was completely incredible, skis, everything,” Britta continued.

8,150 participants were registered for Tjejvasan 2017. A new record in these fine track conditions came as no surprise to Britta.
”I was pretty sure the record would be broken today. No matter who crossed the finish line first,” she said.

Johansson Norgren will be awarded 50,000 SEK for the victory and 50,000 SEK for the new record. Britta’s tactic before the race was to go for the Hökberg spurt prize, using that momentum to continue at full speed through the checkpoint, not taking any fluids there.
”Linn (Sömskar) drove hard there, and my thinking was to counter that and then keep moving fast after the spurt prize,” Britta said.

At first it looked like Maria Nordström and Emilia Lindstedt would catch back up with Britta. But then the distance grew and, with more reserved skiing, Nordström and Lindstedt were rejoined by Sofia Henriksson, Linn Sömskar and Elin Mohlin.
”It felt good and I enjoyed it, but I couldn’t get too comfortable. I had no real idea of how my time compared to the record. But I felt it should be good since I was so far ahead of the others,” Johansson Norgren explained.

Only three previous skiers have been able to defend their Tjejvasan victories the year after winning. Britta has now become the fourth. Those that managed that achievement before her were Anna Frithioff, Marie-Helene ”Billan” Westin and Susanne Nyström
”My whole season has been structured around this week and, above all, Vasaloppet,” Britta continued.

Of course it was also nice to get a confirmation of good form before Vasaloppet. Britta’s team leader in Lager 157 Ski Team, Anton Järnberg, said this after the triumph:
”It was mighty impressive and awesome to see. Her technique worked well and I think a lot depends on that. Britta has been doing well all winter, it’s just that Katerina Smutná has been a little better.”

In the fight for the places behind Johansson Norgren, Emilia Lindstedt had the strongest spurt and took the second place narrowly ahead of Maria Nordström and Sofia Henriksson.

Emilia was ready for Johansson Norgren to drive hard at the Hökberg checkpoint.
”I had a feeling that Britta would go there. I was fairly ready for it. I had hopes that I would be able to hang on but a gap grew pretty quickly, and she is so incredibly strong,” said Lindstedt.

Emilia, together with Maria Nordström, first appeared able to catch up with Britta again.
”I thought me and Maria would hang on for a while, but we simply didn’t have the energy. We do not have the same power as Britta.”

When the gap to Britta had grown, the group behind skied more cautiously.
”We were all a bit leery. No one wanted to burn their energy before the spurt. I felt strong at the end even though I’d been up front, and had hopes that I could finish as second. I’m very satisfied.”

Maria Nordström took third place right ahead of Sofia Henriksson. Also in the spurt, five and six seconds behind, came Elin Mohlin and Linn Sömskar as fifth and sixth.

Results Tjejvasan 2017
1 Britta Johansson Norgren, Sollefteå Skidor IF, 1.16.44
2 Emilia Lindstedt, Falun Borlänge SK, 1.19.18
3 Maria Nordström, Ulricehamns IF, 1.19.19
4 Sofia Henriksson, Piteå Elit SK, 1.19.19
5 Elin Mohlin, Åsarna IK, 1.19.24
6 Linn Sömskar, IFK Umeå, 1.19.26
7 Laila Kveli, Norway, 1.20.59
8 Hedda Bångman, Offerdals SK, 1.21.13
9 Sandra Olsson, Malungs IF, 1.22.02
10 Jenny Larsson, Gellivare Skidallians, 1.22.02

For other results, click ”Results” on Vasaloppet’s website vasaloppet.se

Noteworthy
The first prize in Tjejvasan 2017 is 50,000 SEK. Add to that the record bonus of 50,000 SEK.
ICA’s spurt prize in Hökberg: Linn Sömskar, IFK Umeå, 29.30,8
DHL spurt prize in Eldris: Britta Johansson Norgren, Sollefteå Skidor IF, 54.22,4

The three previous years have brought three of the four fastest ever winning times in Tjejvasan: Susanne Nyström’s old record time from 2008 was 1.18.30, Laila Kveli’s winning time in 2015 was 1.19.11 and Britta Johansson Norgren’s 2016 winning time was 1.19.25.

Registration for Tjejvasan 2018 and the other races of Vasaloppet’s Winter Week 2018 opens on Sunday, March 19, 09:00 at vasaloppet.se.

Watch SVT’s Tjejvasan broadcast on SVT Play

Watch Britta Johansson win and SVT interviews with the top skiers

FACTS/ Tjejvasan winners through the ages
1988 Karin Värnlund, IFK Mora
1989 Marie Johansson, Dala-Järna IK
1990 Cancelled
1991 Anna Frithioff, Kvarnsvedens GoIF
1992 Anna Frithioff, Kvarnsvedens GoIF
1993 Carina Görlin, Hudiksvalls IF
1994 Marie Helene Östlund, Hudiksvalls IF
1995 Marie Helene Östlund, Hudiksvalls IF
1996 Kerrin Petty, IFK Moras SK
1997 Karin Öhman, Stockviks Skidförening
1998 Bente Martinsen, Norway
1999 Elin Ek, Bergeforsens SK
2000 Annika Evaldsson, IFK Mora SK
2001 Anita Moen, Norway
2002 Emelie Öhrstig, Stockviks Skidförening
2003 Ulrica Persson, SK Bore
2004 Hilde G Pedersen, Norway
2005 Sofia Bleckur, IK Jarl
2006 Elin Ek, IFK Mora SK
2007 Susanne Nyström, Piteå Elit SK
2008 Susanne Nyström, Piteå Elit SK
2009 Susanne Nyström, Piteå Elit SK
2010 Susanne Nyström, IFK Mora SK
2011 Jenny Hansson, Östersunds SK
2012 Susanne Nyström, Laisvalls SK
2013 Susanne Nyström, Laisvalls SK
2014 Sofia Bleckur, IFK Mora SK
2015 Laila Kveli, Norway
2016 Britta Johansson Norgren, Sollefteå Skidor IF
2017 Britta Johansson Norgren, Sollefteå Skidor IF

Most Tjejvasan victories (1988–2017)
Susanne Nyström (6 wins), Anna Frithioff, Marie-Helene Östlund, Elin Ek, Sofia Bleckur and Britta Johansson Norgren (2 wins each).

FACTS/Places left in Vasaloppet’s Winter Week 2017
There are still start places available in all races except the three which are fully booked: Öppet Spår Sunday, Nattvasan and Vasaloppet.