Katerina Smutná won the 30th Tjejvasan

”I had very good skis and that was important today,” a happy Smutná commented after the win. ”It was heavy going at first since there was some snow in the tracks. It felt good the whole way and I’m very happy for the win,” Katerina continued.

In second place, Britta Johansson Norgren was not too disappointed.
”It felt good today. But the race was a bit out of the ordinary because going first was so much heavier. I had lots of energy near the end but I made a mistake when I passed the others and went first on that long final stretch. There was snow in the tracks so it was heavy work. That’s the only thing I regret. I should have stayed behind and then darted out. But Smutná was strong today. Lina Korsgren too.”

Did you notice when Korsgren and Lindstedt fell before the final stretch?
”No, I didn’t, but I heard afterwards that something had happened.”

After the leading five skiers passed the Aukland bridge it got tight. Laila Kveli changed tracks, and Lina Korsgren and Emilia Lindstedt fell.

After holding a meeting, the jury decided to disqualify Kveli.
”As I saw it, there was a small space for me, and I changed tracks. I checked behind and had pretty good speed when I jumped into the track. Unfortunately, the two behind me fell. It felt like Lina skied into my pole. But it’s hard to know what’s happening behind you. The jury judged that the space was too small when I moved into the track,” Kveli tells us.

After the incident three skiers entered the final stretch. Britta Johansson Norgren led the way ahead of Katerina Smutná and Laila Kveli. Britta was in control but Smutná had more energy left and could sail past to victory.

Kveli came third, six seconds behind the first two (though she was later disqualified), followed by Lindstedt after her fall, and a very disappointed Lina Korsgren, who had been active throughout the race, displaying much energy. Thereafter came Hanna Falk who just recently returned from the Olympics in Pyeongchang.

Emilia Lindstedt got third place after Laila Kveli’s disqualification.
”Crossing the finish line, it felt a bit sad that I didn’t get a chance. But of course I’m now happy to be in the top three. I’m glad I gave it my all after the fall,” Lindstedt tells us.

Lina Korsgren commented on what happened by the Aukland bridge:
”It was a disappointing end. Everything happened fast but there probably wasn’t enough space when Laila changed tracks. In order not to lose all my momentum I had to step out of the track and that’s when we crashed.”

”I think it’s good that the jury is on the ball, taking such an uncomfortable decision. That is positive. But of course it really sucks for Laila. I know that wasn’t her intention,” Korsgren continued.

Lina was otherwise happy with how the race went and is now looking forward to Vasaloppet.
”It felt amazing and I had great skis.”

Vasaloppet’s Sport Manager Tommy Höglund had this to say about Kveli’s disqualification.
”Laila Kveli was disqualified primarily for impeding Lina Korsgren 800 metres before the finish line. She stepped into the track in front of Lina so she had to straighten up and move to the right, causing the fall with Emila Lindstedt. That is why the results list has been altered.”

From the start the race quickly got a leading group of seven skiers: Britta Johansson Norgren, Lina Korsgren, Hanna Falk, Laila Kveli, Katerina Smutná, Elin Mohlin and Emilia Lindstedt.

This group skied cautiously up to Hökberg where Korsgren challenged Falk and took the spurt prize. A while later, with 17 kilometres to go, Korsgren created a small gap. Some kilometres later it was back to slower group skiing.

When the skiers approached Krångåsen, Johansson Norgren pulled hard but could not get ahead, and again there was calmer skiing within the leading group.

On the slope down towards the Eldris checkpoint Korsgren took the lead and the spurt prize ahead of Johansson Norgren.

After Eldris Johansson Norgren and Korsgren increased the speed several times but as mentioned the race wasn’t settled until the Aukland bridge and final stretch. Czech Katerina Smutná took her first victory in Tjejvasan, a race where her previous best performance was second place (2016).

Her Royal Highness
Her Royal Highness Princess Sofia of Sweden also participated in Tjejvasan 2018. The 30-kilometre race starts in Oxberg and finishes under the classic finish line portal in Mora. Princess Sofia, who is originally from the Vasaloppet municipality Älvdalen, has skied in Stafettvasan twice previously. In 2017 Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia followed Vasaloppet as spectators alongside the track.

Tjejvasan is the world’s largest ski race only for women, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Tjejvasan 2018 had 7,618 registered ladies.

Results Tjejvasan 2018
1 Katerina Smutná, (CZE), Czech Republic, 1.35.26
2 Britta Johansson Norgren, (SWE), Sollefteå Skidor Idrottsförening, 1.35.27
3 Emilia Lindstedt, (SWE), Falun Borlänge Skidklubb, 1.35.40
4 Lina Korsgren, (SWE), Åre Längdskidklubb, 1.36.02
5 Hanna Falk, (SWE), Ulricehamns Idrottsförening, 1.36.26
6 Elin Mohlin, (SWE), Hudiksvalls Idrottsförening, 1.36.53
7 Julia Jansson, (SWE), Sollefteå Skidor Idrottsförening, 1.39.25
8 Lisa K Svensson, (SWE), Åsarna Idrottsklubb, 1.39.26
9 Julia Angelsiöö, (SWE), Storvreta Idrottsklubb, 1.39.26
10 Evelina Bångman, (SWE), Offerdals Skidklubb, 1.39.27

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

Noteworthy
The first prize in Tjejvasan 2018 is 50,000 SEK.
ICA’s spurt prize in Hökberg: Lina Korsgren, Åre Längdskidklubb, 36.37
DHL’s spurt prize in Eldris: Lina Korsgren, Åre Längdskidklubb, 1.08.33

View SVT’s live broadcast on SVT Play
View THE BROADCAST here

View the spurt that decided the outcome and SVT’s interviews with top participants
www.svt.se/sport/vasaloppet

View all Tjejvasan finishes
www.vasaloppet.tv/?id=8069527

All 30 Tjejvasan victors 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
2018 Katerina Smutná, Czech Republic

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

Most times in the Tjejvasan top three
Susanne Nyström (7 times), Sofia Bleckur (5 times), Elin Ek, Emelie Öhrstig, Britta Johansson Norgren (4 times each).

FACTS/ Places left for Vasaloppet’s Winter Week 2018
There are still start places available except in the three races that are fully booked: Stafettvasan, Nattvasan och Vasaloppet. It is possible to register directly on location. Read more under ”Direct registration” on vasaloppet.se

Register for Tjejvasan 2019
Registration for Tjejvasan 2019 opens on Sunday March 18, 2018, at 09:00 in the morning. That race will run on Saturday, February 23, 2019.