Nine out of ten want to come back to Vasalopps Arena

5000 of the participants in the 2010 Vasaloppet Winter Week have answered questions in the comprehensive survey that Rubin Research undertake annually on behalf of Vasaloppet.  88% say that it is either extremely likely or to a certain extent probable that they will take part again next year, which is on a par with last year’s survey results.

A comparison using Rubin Research’s extensive data bases shows that, in almost all the investigated features, Vasaloppet results considerably exceed the average for comparable large events in Sweden. Areas where Vasaloppet 2010 differs most from the index are in the overall impression, the emotional experience, and the sportsmanlike quality of the competitions – in these Vasaloppet exceeds the index by a very wide margin.

Facts from the 2010 Survey:
37% already decided on the spot the previous year that they would take part again this year, while 29% decided some 7-11 months before, and 17% about 5-6 months before. Overall then, about 84% had decided to take part 5 months beforehand or even earlier.

The main reasons for participating in Vasaloppet’s Winter Week are tradition (35%), affinity & togetherness (27%), the quality & challenge (26%), the uniqueness (25%), and that it is a Swedish classic (18%). Men mention tradition, quality and challenge as reasons for participation more than women do, whereas women, on the other hand, refer more to togetherness, uniqueness, and the Swedish classic element more than do men.

With respect to training and preparation, it would seem that in this snow rich winter the average participant in Vasaloppet Winter Week had skied about 33km as well as 2.6 hours other training each week in the three months before taking part. (Participants in the 90km Vasaloppet itself averaged about 41km per week on skis, and TjejVasan participants about 22km.)

The survey shows that the average grade for the overall arrangement of Vasaloppet Winter Week 2010 lies at a high 4.5 out of a possible 5. According to Rubin Research, in this survey the Week has a series of extremely strong results. Especially strong are timing & results services (4.7) and service at the control checkpoints (4.6); but even information before the races (4.3), handling and distribution of bags and clothing (4.3) and start procedures (4.1), are all good results.

It is clear that Vasaloppet’s organisers use these survey results in reviewing and planning their work.  Those things that the survey shows to be not as good like, for example, all the transport logistics, will be reviewed before 2011; we are already working on creating better bus routes, together with much improved information about them, and the transport situation as a whole. Problems with changing and shower facilities are also being carefully looked at, and we are working on improvements for 2011. 

But it is very gratifying that nine out of ten of the  survey participants (88%) in 2010 have said that it is extremely likely, or at least to a certain extent probable, that they will return to take part in 2011. 

The next big arrangement in Vasalopps Arena is Vasaloppet’s Summer Week in August with CykelVasan (14/8), VasaStafetten (21/8) and StavgångsVasan (22/8).