Vasaloppet\u2019s Winter Week features several 90-kilometre races: \u00d6ppet Sp\u00e5r Sunday, \u00d6ppet Sp\u00e5r Monday 90, Nattvasan 90, Vasaloppet and Hemmavasan Skidor 90. However, only one race per year can count towards veteran status. During Vasaloppet\u2019s Winter Week 2026, 339 veterans took part, 280 of whom skied 90 kilometres. The most popular race among these veterans was Vasaloppet itself, with 155 participants.<\/p>\n\n
This year, 48 people became veterans: 46 men and two women. The total number of people to have achieved Vasaloppet veteran status now stands at 1,343, comprising 1,319 men and 24 women. The first was Stig B\u00f6lling, Ludvika FFI, who completed his 30th race in 1967 (although the Veteran Club itself was not founded until 1987).<\/p>\n\n
\u201cVasaloppet\u2019s veterans are some of our best ambassadors. Returning year after year to ski 90 kilometres, and doing so for 30 years and beyond, is a testament to both endurance and determination, not to mention a love of Vasaloppet. Congratulations to this year\u2019s 48 new Vasaloppet veterans, and a very warm welcome to the Veteran Club! With a special welcome to our two new female veterans, Eva J\u00e4rkenstedt and Silvana Friedrich. Women still make up a small number of our veterans, but their numbers are growing, and they are important role models, inspiring more women to take to the trails,\u201d says Johan Eriksson, CEO of Vasaloppet.
Among the women, Anne-Marie Richardsson, OK Landehof, and Margareta \u00d6stensson-Lindblom, S\u00e4lens IF, have completed the most races, with 42 each. Margareta completed her 42nd race this year; on the top-ten list of women below, she is one of eight to participate this year.<\/p>\n\n
Among the men, G\u00f6sta L\u00f6nnelid, IFK Mora SK, has completed the most races. He finished his 61st race in 2024. In the past two years, however, G\u00f6sta has opted to take part in Vasaloppet 10, which starts in Eldris.<\/p>\n\n
Looking at the male veterans with the most finishes who also took part this year, H\u00e5kan Mossberg of Kopparbergs IF completed his 57th 90-kilometre race in 2026. J\u00f6rgen Wallin, S\u00e4ters IF, and Gunnar Olsson, Stora Tuna IK SK, both completed their 56th race, while Vidar L\u00f6fving, Tibro OK, completed his 55th. When 88-year-old Gunnar Olsson (born in 1938) took part in \u00d6ppet Sp\u00e5r Monday 90 this winter, he became the oldest veteran ever to ski the full 90 kilometres.<\/p>\n\n
Four veterans were celebrated with cake this winter after completing their 50th race. The new \u201c50-racers,\u201d as they are known, were Johan Carlsson of Trollh\u00e4ttans SOK, Per Lindgren and Arvo Teppola of IKHP Huskvarna Idrottsklubb, and Dan Johansson of Lysekil SLF. There are now 69 veterans who have completed 50 races or more.<\/p>\n\n
The fastest veteran in Vasaloppet 2026 was Anders S\u00f6rensson, Munkedals Skid & Cykelklubb, with a time of 4:38:50. He finished in 186th place, just 29 seconds ahead of the second-fastest veteran, Peo Svahn, Boxholm-Ekeby SK.<\/p>\n\n
One elite skier worth mentioning is well on his way to becoming a veteran: the well-known Czech skier Stanislav Rez\u00e1c. This year, he completed his 27th race and finished 57th at the age of 52 (born in 1973). His best result is second place, and he has finished third five times and achieved a total of 15 top-ten finishes in Vasaloppet. In other words, he could qualify as a veteran in 2029. Vasaloppet\u2019s Winter Week 2027 \u2013 cross country skiing<\/strong> Hemmavasan skidor 2027 \u2013 cross country skiing<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> when and where you want<\/strong><\/strong> Vasaloppet\u2019s Summer Week 2026\u00a0\u2013 biking and running<\/strong><\/strong> Barnens Vasalopp l\u00f6pning 2026<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013<\/strong>\u00a0children\u2019s Vasaloppet running race<\/strong><\/strong> Hemmavasan cykel and l\u00f6pning 2027 \u2013 biking and running when and where you want<\/strong><\/strong> <\/p><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" At the annual meeting of Vasaloppet’s Veteran Club, held in Mora on September 5, 2026, it was announced that 46 men and two women had earned the prestigious title of Vasaloppet veteran this year. To qualify as a veteran, you must complete thirty 90-kilometre ski races over the course of thirty years! Here are some interesting facts, top-ten lists, and all the new veterans for 2026, listed by county.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":4342,"template":"","news_category":[],"sport_category":[2],"class_list":["post-4341","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","sport_category-ski"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
FACTS\/ Vasaloppet veterans
<\/strong>To call yourself a veteran you must complete Vasaloppet and\/or \u00d6ppet Sp\u00e5r according to Vasaloppet’s rules for 30 years (only one race per year counts).\u00a0 Hemmavasan Skidor 90 also counts, as does Nattvasan 90 since 2020. Veterans can join Vasaloppet’s Veteran Club, founded in 1987, and wear a personalized orange number bib in all races. In Vasaloppet, veterans start in their own row in start group 5 (closest to the wall).
Top 10 most races, men<\/strong>
1. G\u00f6sta L\u00f6nnelid, IFK Mora SK \u2013 61 races
2. Bengt Eriksson, S\u00e4lens IF \u2013 60 races
2. B\u00f6rje Karlsson, Landsbro IF Skidor \u2013 60 races
4. H\u00e5kan Mossberg, Kopparbergs IF \u2013 57 races
5. J\u00f6rgen Wallin, S\u00e4ters IF \u2013 56 races
5. Gunnar Olsson, Stora Tuna IK SK \u2013 56 races
7. Gunnar Sold, IK Jarl R\u00e4ttvik \u2013 55 races
7. Torsten L\u00f6fgren, IK Jarl R\u00e4ttvik \u2013 55 races
7. Erik Berglund, IFK Mora SK \u2013 55 races
7. Vidar L\u00f6fving, Tibro OK \u2013 55 races
Top 10 most races, women
<\/strong>1. Anne-Marie Richardsson, OK Landehof \u2013 42 races
1. Margareta \u00d6stensson-Lindblom, S\u00e4lens IF \u2013 42 races
3. Eivor Johansson, Nav\u00e5sens FK \u2013 41 races
3. Carina Johansson, Tumba-M\u00e4larh\u00f6jden OK \u2013 41 races
5. Kristin Back-Frisk, V\u00e4nersborgs SK \u2013 39 races
6. Karin Johannesson, Filipstads SF \u2013 37 races
7. Carina Hammarstrand, FK Snapphanarna \u2013 36 races
7. Helen \u00d6stensson, S\u00e4lens IF \u2013 36 races
9. Berit Brandt, Vansbro AIK SK \u2013 35 races
9. Lubov Pospeshina, IFK Sk\u00f6vde SK \u2013 35 races
Here are all the new veterans after Vasaloppet’s Winter Week 2026 \u2013 county by county
Dalarna<\/strong>
Bj\u00f6rn Eriksson Norberg, Borl\u00e4nge
Peter Bergkvist, K\u00e4llbottens IK
\u00c5ke Bolander, Leksand
Ola Andersson, Domnarvets GOIF
Mikael Lindberg, Sv\u00e4rdsj\u00f6
Jonas H\u00f6gberg, Stora Tuna IK SK
G\u00e4vleborg<\/strong>
Dag Tedenby, G\u00e4vle SK
Halland<\/strong>
Eva J\u00e4rkenstedt, Team Cobra
J\u00e4mtland<\/strong>
Mats Johansson, Fr\u00f6s\u00f6n
Ola Wallin, Svegs IK
Kalmar<\/strong>
Joakim \u00c5leheim, Nybro Skidklubb
Kronoberg<\/strong>
Per \u00c5kesson, V\u00e4xj\u00f6 AIS
Johan H\u00e5kansson, V\u00e4xj\u00f6 AIS
Norrbotten<\/strong>
Anders Moritz, Nattavaaraby SK
Sk\u00e5ne<\/strong>
Jonas Prellner, Bj\u00f6rnstorps IF
Ronny Tocaj, IF Ski Team Sk\u00e5ne
Stockholm<\/strong>
Anders Thunberg, IFK Stockholm
Thomas Lindberg, Nacka V\u00e4rmd\u00f6 SK
Anders Carlinger, Skogsluffarnas OK
Jonas Thor\u00e9n, Molkoms SK
P\u00e4r Sch\u00f6ldstr\u00f6m, Sollentuna
Peter Sund\u00e9n, Huddinge SK LF
Tommy Kjellsson, Team Skavs\u00e5ret IF
Patrik Attemark, Saltsj\u00f6badens IF
S\u00f6dermanland<\/strong>
Glenn Karlsson, Broby GoIF
Royne Myrman, N\u00e4vekvarns GOIF
Uppsala<\/strong>
Kenneth Petersson, AXA SC
Peter J\u00e4derstr\u00f6m, Uppsala Vasaloppsklubb
V\u00e4rmland<\/strong>
Fredrik Kristiansson, T\u00f6cksfors IF
Tomas Brunzell, Grava SK
V\u00e4sterbotten<\/strong>
Martin Lundberg, Fredrika IK
V\u00e4sternorrland<\/strong>
Bj\u00f6rn Bystr\u00f6m, V\u00e5rby IK
V\u00e4stra G\u00f6taland<\/strong>
Peter Lund, OK Skogshjortarna
Lars Johansson, F\u00e4ltj\u00e4garna IF
Brynolf Gustafsson, IK Stern
Jens Reckman, IK Stern
Tommy Abrahamsson, Bor\u00e5s SK
Henrik Ekdahl, Lidk\u00f6pings VSK
Paul Olsson, Trollh\u00e4ttans SOK
Roger Rapp\u00e9ll, Bor\u00e5s GK
S\u00f6ren Pettersson, SK Granan
Mikael Bj\u00f6rndal, AXA SC
Torbj\u00f6rn Johansson, Filipstads SF
G\u00f6ran Andersson, Trafikverkets Fritidsf\u00f6rening G\u00f6teborg
\u00d6sterg\u00f6tland<\/strong>
Mika Ojala, Sv\u00e4rtinge
From outside Sweden<\/strong>
Magnus Eir\u00edksson, Iceland
Stefan Simonen, Finland
Silvana Friedrich, Germany
Placings and times of the five fastest veterans in Vasaloppet 2026
<\/strong>186. Anders S\u00f6rensson, Munkedals Skid & Cykelklubb, 4.38.50
\u00a0 (35 races, age 54, best finish: 76th)
189. Peo Svahn, Boxholm-Ekeby SK, 4.39.19
\u00a0 (31 races, age 59, best finish: 15th)
273. Ronnie L\u00f6f, H\u00f6gbo GIF, 4.48.34
\u00a0 (32 races, age 55, best finish: 34th)
337. Thommy Larsson, TeamB3 IF, 4.54.52
\u00a0 (35 races, age 61, best finish: 6th)
354. Fredrik S\u00e4tter, Trillevallens SK, 4.55.44
\u00a0 (33 races, age 54, best finish: 23rd)
Visit the Vasaloppet Veteran Club page (in Swedish)<\/strong> ><\/a><\/p>\n\nUpcoming events in the Vasaloppet Arena:<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
Friday, February 26, Vasaloppet 30<\/a>, start Oxberg, 30 km
Saturday, February 27, Tjejvasan<\/a>, start Oxberg, 30 km
Sunday, February 28, \u00d6ppet Sp\u00e5r s\u00f6ndag,<\/a> start S\u00e4len, 90 km
Sunday, February 28, Vasaloppet Pro Race 30, start Oxberg, 30 km
Sunday, February 28, Ungdomsvasan<\/a>, start Eldris, 9 km, start H\u00f6kberg, 19 km
Monday, March 1, \u00d6ppet Sp\u00e5r m\u00e5ndag 90<\/a>, freestyle, start S\u00e4len, 90 km
Monday, March 1, \u00d6ppet Sp\u00e5r m\u00e5ndag 45<\/a>, freestyle, start Oxberg, 45 km
Monday, March 1, \u00d6ppet Sp\u00e5r m\u00e5ndag 30,<\/a> freestyle, start Oxberg, 30 km
Tuesday, March 2, Vasaloppet 45<\/a>, start Oxberg, 45 km
Friday, March 5, Stafettvasan<\/a>, ski relay, five sections, start S\u00e4len, 90 km
Friday, March 5, Nattvasan 30<\/a>, individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Oxberg, 30 km
Friday, March 5, Nattvasan 45<\/a>, individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Oxberg, 45 km
Friday, March 5, Nattvasan 90,<\/a> individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start S\u00e4len, 90 km
Saturday, March 6, Vasaloppet 10<\/a>, freestyle, start Eldris, 9 km
Sunday, March 7, The 103rd Vasaloppet,<\/a> start S\u00e4len, 90 km
Barnens Vasalopp skidor<\/strong> \u2013 Children’s Vasalopp<\/strong> cross country skiing<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>
Saturday, February 27,\u00a0Barnens Vasalopp skidor<\/a>, S\u00e4len
Saturday, March 6,\u00a0Barnens Vasalopp skidor<\/a>, Mora<\/p>\n\n
Februari 26 \u20137 March 7 2027 \u2013\u00a0Hemmavasan skidor<\/a> <\/p>\n\n
Friday, August 13,\u00a0Ungdomscykelvasan<\/a>, start Oxberg, 32 km
Friday, August 13,\u00a0Cykelvasan 30<\/a>, start Oxberg, 32 km
Friday, August 13,\u00a0Cykelvasan \u00d6ppet Sp\u00e5r<\/a>, start S\u00e4len, 92 km
Friday, August 13,\u00a0Cykelvasan 45<\/a>, start Oxberg, 45 km
Saturday, August 14,\u00a0Cykelvasan 90<\/a>, start S\u00e4len, 92 km
Friday, August 20,\u00a0Funkisvasan<\/a>, start Mora, 2 and 4 km
Friday, August 20,\u00a0Trailvasan 10<\/a>, start Mora, 10 km
Saturday, August 21,\u00a0Ultravasan 90<\/a>, start S\u00e4len, 92 km
Saturday, August 21,\u00a0Vasastafetten<\/a>, running relay, ten legs, start S\u00e4len, 92 km
Saturday, August 21,\u00a0Ultravasan 45<\/a>, start Oxberg, 45 km
Saturday, August 21,\u00a0Trailvasan 30<\/a>, start Oxberg, 30 km
Barnens Vasalopp cykel 2026 \u2013 children\u2019s Vasaloppet bike race<\/strong><\/strong>
Thursday, August 12, and Friday, August 13,\u00a0 Barnens Vasalopp cykel<\/a>, S\u00e4len
Saturday, August 14,\u00a0Barnens Vasalopp cykel<\/a>, Mora<\/p>\n\n
Friday, August 20,\u00a0Barnens Vasalopp l\u00f6pning<\/a>, S\u00e4len
Friday, August 20,\u00a0Barnens Vasalopp l\u00f6pning<\/a>, Mora<\/p>\n\n
August 13\u201321,\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Hemmavasan cykel<\/a>
August 13\u201321,\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Hemmavasan l\u00f6pning<\/a><\/p>\n\n