Elsa and Gustav are Vasaloppet's Kranskulla and Kransmas 2024

The competition manager for Vasaloppet has appointed Elsa Hermansson as the 100th Kranskulla, and the competition managers for Tjejvasan have appointed Gustav Johnsson as the 36th Kransmas. The Kranskulla and Kransmas have what is often called the most honourable assignments among the thousands of functionaries that make Vasaloppet’s events possible. This year, the assignment is particularly prestigious as this is the 100th Vasaloppet since the start in 1922.

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Elsa Hermansson has been appointed Vasaloppet’s Kranskulla 2024 with the following motivation:
”The Kranskulla for 2024 has been active in almost all clubs within IFK Mora: Athletics, alpine skiing, gymnastics, skiing, and primarily ski orienteering – the discipline she’s now investing in, with sights set on the World Championships in January. Her motivation to qualify for the World Championships is high, and she has built a solid training foundation through her four years at the Ski High School in Mora, where she graduated in 2023. She has participated in the Junior World Championships a total of four times. Last winter, she also made her debut in the World Cup.

She comes from a true skiing family, with family members who have competed/are competing at the national level and with several relatives who have also been Kranskulla. She is a youth leader in the ski club and has, over the years, tried her hand at many of Vasaloppet’s various functionary assignments.

Elsa Hermansson will be a proud and excellent ambassador for the 100th Vasaloppet. She is the obvious choice as the Kranskulla for Vasaloppet’s events in 2024.”

Annlouise Almqvist, competition manager for Vasaloppet.

Facts Vasaloppet’s Kranskulla 2024
Name: Elsa Hermansson
Age: 20 years (born April 14, 2003)
Residence: Mora
Family: Mother Annelie, father Peter, brother John, and sister Linnea
Occupation: Works at a gym and in a sports store, and trains
Club: IFK Mora OK, IFK Mora SK
Sports: Ski orienteering above all; also participates in some cross-country races
Achievements: Representing Sweden in the ski orienteering World Cup, four appearances in the Junior World Championships (7th place individually and silver in the relay), gold in both sprint and long-distance at the Swedish Junior Championships in 2023.
Athletic goals: Currently a significant goal is to participate in the 2024 World Championships. The goal in general has always been to develop but, first and foremost, to have fun.
Interests: Spending time with friends and family
Describe yourself in three words: Happy, social, curious
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Gustav Johnsson has been appointed Vasaloppet’s Kransmas 2024 with the following motivation:
”Since 2017, this year’s Kransmas has competed for IFK Mora. With fine international merits in both ski orienteering and mountain bike orienteering, where he has represented the Swedish national teams in both the European and World Championships, this guy has shown great drive and a desire to reach the very top of the world!

This year’s Kransmas is a well-liked and humble teammate who, in a professional and determined manner, has steadily progressed in his development as an athlete.

With great commitment as a member of IFK Mora OK, both from himself and his family, many working hours have been spent on the club’s own events and as a volunteer during Vasaloppet’s events.

This work ethic, joy, and love for the sport and for the club he represents today make us see him as an excellent ambassador for Vasaloppet.”

Helene Söderlund and Cathrine Mörk, competition managers for Tjejvasan.

Facts Vasaloppet’s Kransmas 2024:
Name: Gustav Johnsson
Age: 24 years (born February 10, 1999)
Residence: Falun (Raised in Eskilstuna and moved to Mora in 2015.)
Family: Mother Cecilia, father Henrik, and sister Emma (family lives in Mora)
Occupation: Studying construction engineering at Dalarna University and training
Club: IFK Mora OK (Competes for the Eskilstuna club Hällbybrunns IF in cross-country skiing)
Sports: Ski orienteering is number one. But Gustav also engages in orienteering, mountain bike orienteering, and cross-country skiing.
Achievements: Ski orienteering: 8th and 10th at the World Championships, 10th at the European Championships, Swedish Championship gold in the relay as well as two individual bronze medals. Mountain bike orienteering: Participated in the World Championships, one silver at the Swedish Championships.
Athletic goals: To become as good as possible and to win a gold medal at the World Championships
Interests: Everything related to sports, and spending time with friends
Describe yourself in three words: Calm, kind, easygoing

FACTS
A kulla is a girl from Dalarna, a krans is a wreath; so Kranskulla very literally translated would be ”wreath girl” which is not so poetic in English – ”garland girl” might do, but Kranskulla is best left untranslated! A mas is a man from Dalarna.

The first Kranskulla appeared in connection with the very first Vasaloppet in 1922 while the first Kransmas entered the scene alongside the first Tjejvasan in 1988. Since 2005, the Kransmas also awards the victory wreath to the women’s class winner of Vasaloppet.

Vasaloppet’s Winter Week 2024 starts with Vasaloppet 30 on Friday, February 23 and finishes with the 100th Vasaloppet on Sunday, March 3. The Kranskulla will be crowned in Mora’s church on Friday, March 1, 2024 and the Kransmas will be crowned in Älvdalen’s church on Friday, February 23, 2024.

During Vasaloppet’s Summer Week, which started in 2009, the Kranskulla and Kransmas also crown the winners of Cykelvasan 90, Ultravasan 90, Ultravasan 45, Trailvasan 30 and Vasastafetten.

Read more about the Kranskulla and Kransmas in Vasaloppet >

Vasaloppet’s Winter Week and Summer Week 2024 currently have more than 50,000 registered participants. The 100th Vasaloppet was fully booked as early as March 2023, but for those who want to register and participate in another 2024 race, there are still many available slots.