Stafettvasan developments in 2017
Registration for the 2017 Winter Week opens on March 20 at 09:00. Here is some extra information for those interested in Stafettvasan, since things will work differently next year.
Stafettvasan is one of our most popular races, having now grown to 2,000 teams and 10,000 participants. The logistics involved lead to a very strained traffic situation, which is why Vasaloppet is now modifying the race’s design, introducing a split start with one group starting at 08:00 and a second group at 10:00.
This is to thin out the field and reduce crowding at exchanges. Participants will also be required to use the Vasaloppet buses to get to Mångsbodarna and Hökberg, and preferably the start in Sälen as well, which, put together, will have a great effect on the traffic situation.
As long as places in both groups are available you choose the start time you want; after that you will automatically be put in a group. In connection with this change we will also raise the maximum number of teams to 2,400 which means that 1,200 will start in each group.
We also believe the option to choose a group will be positive for participants who can now pick their start time based on, for example, where they live, which could simplify travel and lodging. Since the race has relatively few participants, the track quality will not differ significantly between the groups.
Vasaloppet’s own transport services will be expanded and participants will be offered bus transport to more of the exchanges. The exact logistics are being evaluated right now and there may be further changes which we will communicate to you at a later date.
