Astrid Øyre Slind (NOR) and Stian Hoelgaard were second and third, respectively, at the tough 90-kilometer classic race from Sälen to Mora.
With cold, draggy snow after a long period of frigid temperatures and snow falling through most of the race, conditions were brutal for the more than 15,000 racers in the 94th edition of Vasaloppet.
For Slind, who is in her third season on the Ski Classics marathon series, this year’s second place is her second time on the podium at Vasaloppet and her second time in second place. In 2016, she was fifth. Slind, who chose to ski the race with kick wax, lead at times by more than half a minute. However, in Hökberg, with less than 20 kilometers to go, she was passed. Slind also took home four of the seven preems in the race.
In the men’s race, Madshus racer Stian Hoelgaard (NOR) earned his third consecutive Vasaloppet podium. He finished third, three seconds behind the winner. Jörgen Brink (SWE) was fourth, one second from the podium. The three-time Vasaloppet champion has been among the top four racers seven times. Brink beat fellow Madshus skier Øystein Pettersen (NOR), who was fifth but was given the same finishing time.
Madshus racers snagged five of the top seven spots in the men’s race and two of the top five spots in the women’s race, where Sara Lindborg (SWE) was fifth.