{"id":1686,"date":"2026-01-19T13:53:58","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T12:53:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vasaloppet.se\/en\/?post_type=news&p=1686"},"modified":"2026-01-19T13:53:59","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T12:53:59","slug":"vasaloppet-introduces-pace-guides-and-extends-the-cut-off-time-at-smagan","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/vasaloppet.se\/en\/news\/vasaloppet-introduces-pace-guides-and-extends-the-cut-off-time-at-smagan\/","title":{"rendered":"Vasaloppet introduces pace guides and extends the cut-off time at Sm\u00e5gan"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the first Vasaloppet checkpoint, Sm\u00e5gan, located 11 kilometres from the start, the standard cut-off time will be extended by 30 minutes, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This is to help participants starting in the rear start groups. In Vasaloppet 2025, twelve percent of participants had to abandon the race, just over 200 of them at Sm\u00e5gan.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cThe start at 08:00 in Berga by, with 15,000 skiers heading toward Mora, is iconic, but space is limited. Especially in the classic first climb after the road crossing. By extending the first cut-off time at Sm\u00e5gan, we hope to reduce stress, allow more skiers to continue their race, and hopefully make up some time once the track begins to spread out,\u201d says Tommy H\u00f6glund, Sports Lead at Vasaloppet.<\/p>\n\n

The second new measure for Vasaloppet 2026 is the introduction of pace guides; skiing functionaries wearing special vests and equipment who participants can follow to ensure they reach the next checkpoint before the cut-off rope. This concept is common in running events, where designated pacemakers help runners maintain a specific speed to achieve a target time. In Vasaloppet, their goal is to increase the number of skiers who make it to the finish in Mora. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cCut-off times exist for safety reasons, but we know that they can be stressful, and we hope the introduction of pacemakers will create a greater sense of calm, as participants won\u2019t need to keep checking the time. Hopefully, this will encourage more people to take the step and ski Vasaloppet. At present, there are still start positions available for this winter\u2019s race,\u201d says Tommy H\u00f6glund. <\/p>\n\n

Vasaloppet’s new pace guides will enter the course after the highest point of the first climb and ski at the pace required to meet the cut-off time for the next checkpoint. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cThe pace guides will be in close contact with checkpoint managers and medical staff to know exactly what pace to maintain, and of course they will also encourage and guide participants on the course. For now, these changes apply only to Vasaloppet. After the event, we will evaluate the setup and decide how to proceed in the future,\u201d Tommy H\u00f6glund explains.<\/p>\n\n

FACTS \/ Cut-off times in Vasaloppet 2026<\/strong>
Cut-off times are in place for everyone\u2019s safety; they are the latest times at which participants may pass each Vasaloppet checkpoint. Each checkpoint must be cleared ten minutes after the cut-off time. Participants who arrive too late must abort their race and they will be transported by bus to Mora. Those who pass within the cut-off times are allowed to continue the race. In extreme conditions or if circumstances change, race management reserves the right to adjust the cut-off times.<\/p>\n\n

Cut-off times in Vasaloppet 2026<\/strong>
Sm\u00e5gan: 11:00
M\u00e5ngsbodarna: 12:15
Risberg: 13:45
Evertsberg: 15:00
Oxberg: 16:30
H\u00f6kberg: 17:40
Eldris: 19:00<\/p>\n\n

Vasaloppet\u2019s Winter Week 2026\u00a0\u2013 cross country skiing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n