For the next cross-country ski race between Sälen and Mora, the 102nd Vasaloppet, plans are being made to make it easier for skiers to meet the rope times.
The time for the last pass at the control in Smågan, eleven kilometers from the start, will be moved earlier by 30 minutes to 11:00, the organizer said in a press release.
"We hope that extending the first rope time in Smågan will reduce stress," says sports manager Tommy Höglund.
The aim is to help participants who start at the back of the pack and who have difficulty with the congestion after the road crossing just after the start. In Vasaloppet 2025, twelve percent of the participants had to stop their race, with just over 200 people stopping in Smågan.
Vasaloppet is also introducing rope guides - ski guides who will act as pace controllers so that the skiers can make it to the next control before the rope is pulled.
"We hope the introduction of rope guides will give participants greater peace of mind when they do not have to keep checking the clock all the time. Hopefully, this will lead to more people daring to take the plunge and ski Vasaloppet," says Höglund.
