Over 60,000 registered for Vasaloppet's Winter Week 2017
Beautiful winter weather and blue-and-yellow cross-country success tends to increase ski interest among Swedes. This year is no exception. Over 60,000 people have now registered to participate in a race during Vasaloppet's Winter Week 2017, but there are still plenty of places left.
Inspiration springs from sun, snow and good cross-country skiing conditions. Add medals for national team members and upcoming cross-country World Cup races at home in both Ulricehamn January 21–22 and Falun January 28–29, and engagement grows even stronger. 35,000 tickets have already been sold in Ulricehamn according to TT.
”It’s fantastic that winter is here and ski interest so strong, both in following Swedish world elite success and in doing it yourself,” says Eva-Lena Frick, CEO of Vasaloppet.
In 2012, Vasaloppet’s Winter Week exceeded 60,000 registered participants for the first time. 2014 was the first year that all races (except Ungdomsvasan) in the Winter Week were fully booked and, with additional starting places, 2016 made the registration record with 68,024 registered participants. 2017 is the seventh year in a row with over 60,000 participants registered.
”Offering several different races that appeal to many different levels is a way for us to continue being attractive. With the new race Nattvasan we are reaching an all new group of people which is extremely important in order to strengthen our position and continue to develop,” says Eva-Lena Frick.
Currently only Nattvasan and Vasaloppet are fully booked. Öppet Spår Sunday is also approaching its limit with barely 300 places left. Stafettvasan has also reached a new registration record but there are start places remaining there too.
”With great skiing conditions in large parts of Sweden there is every possibility to train and register for one of our Winter Week races. That we already have over 60,000 registrants bodes well for us reaching similar numbers as the record year 2016,” says Eva-Lena Frick.
Which were the milestone years for Vasaloppet and Vasaloppet’s Winter Week?
1959: The first time there were over 1,000 registered for Vasaloppet.
1973: The first time there were over 10 000 registered for Vasaloppet.
1982: The first time there were over 20 000 registered for Vasaloppet and Öppet Spår.
1996: The first time there were over 30 000 registered for Vasaloppet’s Winter Week.
2000: The first time there were over 40 000 registered for Vasaloppet’s Winter Week.
2010: The first time there were over 50 000 registered for Vasaloppet’s Winter Week.
2012: The first time there were over 60 000 registered for Vasaloppet’s Winter Week.
Amount of registered participants this past decade
YEAR WINTER SUMMER TOTAL
2016 68,024 28,977 97,001
2015 67,126 26,808 93,934
2014 67,435 24,011 91,446
2013 66,212 21,995 88,207
2012 63,142 17,482 80,624
2011 59,130 12,522 71,683
2010 57,560 8,467 66,047
2009 48,181 5,410 53,591
2008 47,636 3,020 50,656
Vasaloppet Winter Week 2017
Fri 24 Feb: Kortvasan. 30 km. Start Oxberg.
Sat 25 Feb: Tjejvasan. 30 km. Start Oxberg.
Sun 26 Feb: Ungdomsvasan. 3, 5, 7 or 9 km. Start Mora Ski Stadium.
Sun 26 Feb: Öppet Spår Sunday. 90 km. Start Sälen.
Mon 27 Feb: Öppet Spår Monday. 90 km. Start Sälen.
Tue 28 Feb: Halvvasan. 45 km. Start Oxberg.
Fri 3 Mar: Stafettvasan. 9–24 km. Five-person teams. Start Sälen.
Fri 3 Mar: Nattvasan. 90 km. Two-person teams. Start Sälen. (1,500 registered. FULL 160320)
Sat 4 Mar: Blåbärsloppet (formerly Öppet Spår 9 km). 9 km. Start Eldris.
Sun 5 Mar: Vasaloppet. 90 km. Start Sälen. (15,800 registered. FULL 160320)
Vasaloppet Summer Week 2017
Fri 11 Aug: Cykelvasan 30. 32 km. Start Oxberg.
Fri 11 Aug: Ungdomscykelvasan. 32 km. Start Oxberg.
Fri 11 Aug: Cykelvasan 45. 45 km. Start Oxberg.
Fri 11 Aug: Cykelvasan Öppet Spår. 94 km. Start Sälen.
Sat 12 Aug: Cykelvasan 90. 94 km. Start Sälen.
Sat 19 Aug: Ultravasan 45. 45 km. Start Oxberg.
Sat 19 Aug: Ultravasan 90. 90 km. Start Sälen.
Sat 19 Aug: Vasastafetten. 4.5–15 km. Running relay race for ten-person teams. Start Sälen.
Sat 19 Aug: Vasakvartetten. 19.1–24.2 km. Running relay race for four-person teams. Start Sälen.
