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Vasaloppet 2026: Kardin’s Breakthrough and Fleten’s Third Triumph in Mora

The 102nd Vasaloppet 2026 turned out to be a difficult edition of Sweden’s great Worldloppet race. Over night it has started to snow, so the 14.500 skiers had to plow through 15 cm of fresh snow from start on. It was one of the slowest Vasaloppets of the past years with a winner’s time of 4:14.45 and 4:24.26 (in the ladies race).

(c) Vasaloppet

While the participants of Friday evening’s NattVasan enjoyed icy fast conditions and the participants of the Open Track events earlier in the week enjoyed sunshine and great tracks, today the skiers had to deal with deep tracks, fresh snow and slow conditions.

Vasaloppet 2026 Results Men

The men’s race unfolded as a tactical battle shaped by team strategy and changing tempo. Early initiative came on the climb towards Högsta Punkten, but as the race progressed, large groups formed and reformed across the checkpoints of Smågan, Mångsbodarna, Risberg and Evertsberg.

The decisive moves came in the final third of the race. Attacks in the Lundbäcksbackarna began to split the field, and the pace intensified towards Oxberg and Hökberg. With 15 kilometres to go, several contenders attempted breakaways, but the strong collective of Lager 157 Ski Team maintained control.

With just a few kilometres remaining, Oskar Kardin launched his decisive move. Taking maximum advantage of team positioning behind him, he built a small but crucial gap. Three kilometres from the finish he held a 17-second advantage – enough to carry him solo into the famous finishing straight in Mora.

Kardin crossed the line in 4:14:45.5, four seconds ahead of teammate Alvar Myhlback, with Nils Dahlsten completing the podium just fractions behind. In an extraordinary display of team strength, Lager 157 Ski Team secured the first five positions.

For Kardin, the victory was especially meaningful. After twelve previous attempts, with a seventh place as his best result before, he finally claimed his first Vasaloppet title in his 13th start. Remarkably, he achieved this despite breaking a ski mid-race and finishing on two skis from different brands.

  1. Oskar Kardin (SWE) 04:14:45
  2. Alvar Myhlback (SWE) +00:04
  3. Nils Dahlsten (SWE) +00:04
  4. Runar Mathisen (NOR) +00:05
  5. Einar Kalland-Olsen (NOR) +00:06

(c) Vasaloppet

Vasaloppet 2026 Results Ladies

In the women’s race, conditions proved equally testing. Fresh snow and slow tracks favoured strength and resilience — qualities perfectly suited to Emilie Fleten of Team Ramudden.

Early on, a select group of women established themselves near the front, skiing close to the main men’s pack. By Mångsbodarna, Fleten remained in a tight leading group alongside Anikken Gjerde Alnaes, Hanna Lodin, and other Norwegian contenders.

Fleten gradually asserted control. After claiming key intermediate points, she increased the tempo following Evertsberg and began to open a gap. At Oxberg she led by 21 seconds; by Hökberg the margin had grown to one minute. Entering Eldris, her advantage was two minutes.

From there, she skied confidently towards Mora, able to celebrate before crossing the finish line in 4:24:26.3 — securing her third Vasaloppet victory after earlier triumphs in 2023 and 2024.

Hanna Lodin delivered a strong performance to finish second, 1:37 behind Fleten, while Anikken Gjerde Alnaes completed the podium. Former winners and top contenders rounded out a highly competitive top ten.

  1. Emilie Fleten (NOR) 04:24:26
  2. Hanna Lodin (SWE) + 01:37
  3. Anikken Alnaes (NOR) +02:07
  4. Julie Stoestad (NOR) +02:44
  5. Stina Nilsson (SWE) +04:03

(c) Vasaloppet

Under the spotlight of one the great Vasaloppet, the Worldloppet International Skifederation has announced big news to come regarding the federation too. Stay tuned and get ready for a new chapter of Worldloppt – announced every moment!

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