Gjerdalen and Korsgren win Vasaloppet 2021
The Norwegian Anders Gjerdalen and the Swede Lina Korsgren grab the victory in 2021’s Vasaloppet elite race. Both in record time.
Battle between Björgen and Korsgren
It had minus 6 degrees, when 73 elite ladies started today at 07:40 in Sälen, Sweden, start of Vasaloppet. All eyes have been on Norway’s Marit Björgen: Would the world’s best female skier of all time be able to challenge last year’s winner Lina Korsgren?
The two, Korsgren and Björgen had their duel until 13 km before the finish line, where Björgen finally had to let go Korsgren. With a ladies record time of 3:52:08, Lina Korsgren from Team Ramudden, finished in Mora 42 seconds ahead of Björgen and brought home her victory defense on home turf. On third place Ida Dahl, Sweden, arrived to Mora.
“I have had a good day, but it was a bit of a struggle from Evertsberg and towards the goal. I had some feelings and small cramps here and there. But I thought, “You have to sharpen up now.” It was powerful to break free with Marit Björgen, one of the world’s best skiers.”
Lina Korsgren, 3-times Vasaloppet winner (2018, 2020, 2021)
Gjerdalen with record time
At 08:00 the 244 elite man started their journey over 90 km. The first real break aways started after Evertsberg, when the field sailed forward at high speed in sunshine and back wind. Ermil Vokuev, Lord Asle Gjerdalen, Anton Karlsson and Vetle Thyli decided to start the fight.
In the end, the 37-years old “pilot” (he is wearing his typical pilot glasses) finished the Vasaloppet with a record time of 3:28:18 and brought the 9th victory in a row to Norway. 36 seconds later, Anton Karlsson (SWE) finished second and the third place went to Russian Ermil Vokuev.
“I am tired and exhausted, it was a long and hard day, it must be said. I think I went almost everything I had all the way. From the time Vokuev went to the first hill, it has been full speed.”
Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Vasaloppet winner 2021
And the popular skiers at Vasaloppet
Due to the ongoing pandemic and the regulations of Swedish health authorities, the Vasaloppet was only allowed to host an elite race. For the popular skiers the organizers offered an open track event called VasaAket. About 18.000 skiers took the chance and skied the Vasaloppet individually. In addition, for all who couldn’t travel to Sweden, there was the possibility to join the VasaAket Home Edition, a virtual race. This was part of the Virtual Racing League. After this weekend, the first sportsmen achieved their title Virtual Racer, which will be given to everybody who finishes 7 different virtual events.
