How we're rebuilding Vasaloppet, part 2

Hi Anders ”Hobbe” Holmberg, project manager at Vasaloppet, what have you done since the fire?

”Loads. There’s been a lot of intense work these past months. Initially, we needed to gather information about what was actually in the warehouse. The next step was to prioritize what needed to be built, bought or custom ordered.”

What has been the most challenging?
”Compiling lists of everything in the warehouse turned out to require some detective work. Since it was a large warehouse, used since the 1980s, there was a massive amount of stuff. Some materials weren’t used every year, so I’m sure we’ll discover more things that need to be replaced as we go along. And of course, some things cannot be replaced at all, such as the banner with the original motto from 1923. We have also had challenges with some longer delivery times, but we have managed to solve those.”

How are you doing now?

”We are on schedule. We’ve prepared everything that can be prepared for the Winter Week. Some additional building and adjustments will also take place in connection with the events.”

Will participants notice any difference?
”No, I do not think so. The small adjustments and new additions will probably mostly be seen by functionaries. For skiers, the Vasaloppet Arena and service at the checkpoints will be 99 percent the same as last year. The same should apply for our summer events; work on that will be starting now.”

How would you describe the support that you’ve had after the fire, what has it meant to you?
”It means so much. We are extremely grateful for everything, from nice comments on social media to practical and financial help. For us in the Vasaloppet organization, it was a reminder of the meaning that Vasaloppet has to participants, sponsors, local companies, the municipalities, sports clubs, Vasaloppet friends around the world, and many others.”

What will happen to the collection ”We’re rebuilding Vasaloppet, metre by metre”?
”It is still open as we also need to replace materials for the Summer Week. The warehouse and inventory were insured, but the claim settlement is not yet complete.”

How could the fire start – do you know?
”No. According to the police, the cause of the fire is still unknown.”

Will the warehouse be rebuilt?
”Right now we are borrowing premises from Mora municipality and our future storage solutions haven’t been decided yet. All the focus up until now has been on securing the materials needed for the Winter Week, as this has been most urgent.”

HOW WE’RE REBUILDING VASALOPPET, PART 1 >

METRE BY METRE, WE’RE REBUILDING VASALOPPET >

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