Imagine skiing the Vasaloppet for nine miles. You’ve been training for a long time and fighting on the spot with everything you need to get to the finish until you reach a control. There you are stopped by a rope pulled over the tracks – you are forced to stop and get into the famous “brake bus”.
This is the reality for a large proportion of skiers in Vasaloppet every year. Last year, 12 percent had to cancel the classic ski race because they couldn’t reach the rope time.
– We have repeat times primarily for safety reasons. “We as organizers have a responsibility to provide medical care and keep an eye on the race,” says Vasaloppets sports director Tommy Höglund.
Vasa race week is underway and on Sunday, March 1st, it’s time again for the “real” Vasaloppet, this time with measurements regarding rope times. At the first inspection in Smågan the time was extended by half an hour.
Sports director Tommy Höglund believes that extending the rope time was a long process, but that the decision should give more riders the opportunity to reach the finish line.
– We have seen over the years that the competitors in the back ranks experience a lot of stress on the first hill when you have to stop and the going is very slow. We cannot extend the whole day, but we extend it in Smågan so that participants can pass the control in peace. “We hope and believe that this will create a calmer feeling among the participants,” he says.
Facts.What is repetition time?
The repeat time is the last time drivers pass a control. during the Vasaloppet. If they do not reach the checkpoint before this time, a rope will be set up and riders will have to abandon the race. In extreme conditions (e.g. weather or traffic situations), repeat times may change. Riders who have passed the rope must leave the control ten minutes after pulling.
Caroline Altun got stuck in the rope after skiing six miles, in Oxberg 2023, after receiving a start in Vasaloppet as a birthday present from her brother. She injured her shoulder and didn’t make it to the checkpoint in time, even though it was very close.
– It was just a matter of a few minutes. But yeah, if I hadn’t been stopped for that check, I definitely would have been there for the next one because I didn’t have much left to give, she says.
How did it feel to be welcomed by the rope?
– It felt terrible, you got angry. It wasn’t something I chose. And it was a little crazy, suddenly there was just a rope. It was just a matter of sitting down, eating a sandwich and some soup, getting ready and then getting on the break bus, she says.
“Brytbussarna” are the buses that pick up the drivers who have to cancel the Vasaloppet and take them to the destination in Mora. Caroline Altun talks about the atmosphere on the bus:
– I was very disappointed and sat next to a girl who felt the same way so we could “connect” in this feeling. Then it was still comfortable. They spoke to people who felt the same way and others who were very happy. It felt like we were supporting each other. But it felt like that the whole race.
Another rider who didn’t make it to rope time was Hanna Stark and her partner, who didn’t make it to the first check two years ago because they were stuck in traffic.
– We were on the way to Sälen and then a bus broke down, which led to very long queues. Race officials said on social media that repeat times would be extended so there was no stress. We got on our skis quite late, after we should have started. But they didn’t adjust any lap times. And so they pulled the rope for us in Evertsberg.
Facts.Repeat times Vasaloppet 2026
The start is in Berga near Sälen, 8 a.m
Smågan (11 km): 11 a.m
Mångsbodarna (24 km): 12.15
Risberg (35 km): 1.45 p.m
Evertsberg (47 km): 3:00 p.m
Oxberg (62 km): 4.30 p.m
Hökberg (71 km): 17.40
Eldris (81 km): 7 p.m
Hanna Stark attempting to make a Swedish classic was sad to say the least.
– I’ve probably never been so disappointed in my entire life. I had previously trained extremely hard. If we had known how it would turn out, we would never have started, she says.
Now comes the first rope time be extended by half an hour, causing mixed reactions from drivers.
What do you think about the extended rope time?
– I think it’s absolutely sensible. This allows for greater flexibility if something were to happen in a traffic jam, for example. “If you say that everyone can start anyway, then in my opinion you should also adjust the lap times, but of course still stay within the limits of safety,” says Hanna Stark.
– Actually, I don’t think it’s good. Absolutely, if the weather conditions are bad, I can understand that. But I think the Vasaloppet should be something that is very difficult and difficult. If I really slow down and get it done, then I don’t think that’s an achievement in itself. Of course it’s always an achievement to get through, but I don’t think there should be longer rope times, says Caroline Altun.
Both Caroline Altun and Since then, Hanna Stark has had more enjoyable experiences with the Vasaloppet as they completed the route.
– I just completed the Triple Vase (when you ski, cycle and run either 30, 45 or 90km a year) and it went well, I completed all the distances. And I will definitely do the Vasaloppet again because it’s fun. Everyone should try it, says Caroline Altun.
Hanna Stark drove the open track race on Sunday this year after missing 2025 due to injury. This time things went better.
– I drove an open route and reached the finish line. I think I was there two hours before the start. I was very careful to be on time. “Then things went very well, I rode pretty hard to Evertsberg, precisely because I didn’t want to experience the same thing again,” says Hanna Stark with a laugh.
– It was so wonderful. “I think it was one of the best things I’ve experienced in my life,” she says.
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