Women get their own start time in Vasaloppet Elit 2021

The joint start in Sälen is an important Vasaloppet tradition and it’s been held at 08:00 in the morning ever since 1991. But with Vasaloppet Elit 2021 moving the start to Tjärnhedens IP in Sälen, separate start times for women and men will apply.
”With all the changes this winter, Vasaloppet has taken the opportunity to trial different start times for women and men. We’re viewing it as a test which we will then evaluate,” says Vasaloppet’s Sport Manager Tommy Höglund.

Having the ladies start 20 minutes before the men could mean that they’re crossing the finish line almost simultaneously; of course, this may depend on the weather.
”We’ve previously discussed having separate start times and the women we’ve spoken to see both advantages and disadvantages,” says Vasaloppet’s Sport Manager. ”It’ll be a good way to avoid the crush with elite skiers on the first slope, and they’ll be better able to keep track of the competition. At the same time they’re losing some help with traction.”

Sveriges Television has broadcast Vasaloppet live as an unbroken tradition since 1992. The 2021 race will also be broadcast live on SVT, hosted by Yvette Hermundstad.
”We’re happy to be able to show Vasaloppet’s elite competition on SVT this unusual year,” says Helena Backman, project manager for Vasaloppet at SVT. ”The current situation means that we’ll implement some creative solutions to show the event as well as possible. We think that separate starts for women and men will highlight the women’s competition this year. We’ve also added an extra snowmobile that will focus entirely on the women’s class. We believe this will add good value to our viewers this year.”

Impressive starting participants
Vasaloppet’s Sport Manager is looking forward to a special Vasaloppet 2021.
”I think it will be a good race, if somewhat different. I know that the competitors are very eager and hyped. And it’s great to see Marit Björgen in the start field on the women’s side,” says Vasaloppet’s Sport Manager Tommy Höglund.

As per tradition, the first 100 men and 20 women from Vasaloppet 2020 have the same start numbers in 2021 as their placement in 2020, meaning start numbers 1–100 for men and 501–520 for women.

A look at those registered to start in 2021 shows that out of last year’s top 20 there are only four women missing, including Kari Vikhagen Gjeitnes and Magdalena Pajala who have concluded their skiing careers. The victors from these past five years, Katerina Smutná, Britta Johansson Norgren and Lisa Korsgren are, of course, registered to return.

This year’s comeback is number 538: Marit Björgen, who has actually won a race in the Vasaloppet track. In 2006, Marit skied a 45-km race as part of the World Cup and she was first across the finish line in Mora with a fantastic margin.

Out of the top 20 men from last year, only one is missing in 2021. This would be Tore Björset Berdal who won Vasaloppet 2019 but who has now concluded his career. The question is if last year’s winner, Petter Eliassen, will snatch his third victory or if another foreign skier might take the title? Visma Ski Classics now has pro teams from eleven different nations.

Best Swede in Vasaloppet 2020 was Klas Nilsson in fifth place. Oskar Kardin, who was the best Swede in 2019 but who missed Vasaloppet 2020 after a concussion, is back on the start list for 2021.

The indomitable Stanislav Rezác and Anders Aukland have been in the Vasaloppet top ten 15 and 12 times respectively. Both are registered again this year!

THE PHOTO: On March 4, 2006, Marit Björgen won the World Cup 45-km classic style ski race in the Vasaloppet Arena. One of a total of 114 World Cup wins! Her time was 2.17.53. Hilde G. Pedersen, Norway, 2.19.15, came second and third was Petra Majdic, Slovenia, 2.21.16. Kransmas: Martin Johansson, IFK Mora. Photo: Vasaloppet/Nisse Schmidt.