Ski a seeding race – start in group 9 or better in Vasaloppet 2025

For Vasaloppet, seeding is a way to rank participants at the start based on speed, ensuring safer skiing with an even pace and less overtaking. Around 15,000 participants ski Vasaloppet every year, and there are eleven start groups at the Berga by start: the elite group at the front and group 10 at the back.

Seeding is based on participants’ previous results, either in Vasaloppet’s races or in other seeding races. If participants have no previous results, they start in group 10, but under the new rule introduced in 2024, you only need to complete a seeding race to start in group 9 or better.
“Finishing a seeding race means you’ve come a long way in your skiing and shown that you can handle several aspects like technique, distance, weather, and wind, and we want to encourage that,” says Cathrine Mörk, Vasaloppet’s seeding manager.

Approximately 40% of participants ski Vasaloppet for the first time every year, so many end up in group 10. With this new rule, Vasaloppet expects a better distribution of participants in the back groups, resulting in a smoother flow.
“We also believe that this will be an additional motivation for participants to ski a seeding race. By doing so, you’ll gain valuable experience that will be a big advantage when it’s time for the 90 km Vasaloppet,” says Cathrine Mörk.

Is there a risk that everyone will now ski a seeding race and that group 9 will become the “new group 10”?
“No, we know that many people don’t ski seeding races and they will therefore start in group 10. At the same time, we are constantly working on the seeding to ensure even pacing and smooth flows in Vasaloppet, and we will, of course, monitor this new rule as well.”

Facts about seeding races
In total, there are around 50 long-distance races in Sweden and abroad that qualify as seeding races for Vasaloppet. These will be published in November/December in the calendar on vasaloppet.se.

Seeding races for Vasaloppet during Vasaloppet’s Winter Week are: Vasaloppet, Öppet Spår Sunday, Öppet Spår Monday 90 (start groups 2–9), Öppet Spår Monday 45 (start groups 2–9) Vasaloppet 45 and Tjejvasan.

Criteria for other seeding ski races for Vasaloppet:

• The race must be sanctioned by the Swedish Ski Association
• The race must be at least 40 km
• The race must be in classic style
• The race must have a mass start or group start
• The race organizer must register and pay a fee to Vasaloppet

More about Vasaloppet seeding >

More about seeding races >