Britta Johansson Norgren won Tjejvasan 2019

Britta Johansson Norgren, Sollefteå Skidor IF, won the 31st Tjejvasan one second ahead of Lina Korsgren, Åre Längdskidklubb, and four seconds ahead of Katerina Smutná, the Czech Republic.
"I felt it had paid off when I pushed during the race. I had a great amount of energy," says Britta after her third Tjejvasan victory.

There were more than 7,100 registered for Tjejvasan 2019. Minus two degrees at the start at 09:00.

The quartet of Johansson Norgren, Korsgren, Smutná and Laila Kveli were strongest throughout the race. Britta increased the speed several times to feel out her competitors, and it was only the trio that could fully keep up.

The leading group shifted between four and eleven skiers again and again. Going into the Hemus terrain, with five kilometres left, there were eleven skiers in the group. Laila Kveli was in front, heading down one of the steeper inclines when she lost her balance and fell. Others in the group just narrowly avoided getting pulled down too.

Disappointing for Kveli, though she bounced back quickly and was able to catch up before the final stretch, coming in at fifth place.

Johansson Norgren led the way onto the final stretch on Vasagatan in Mora. Lina Korsgren was second, in a good position, but Britta turned out to be strongest on the long finishing stretch.
"I felt it had paid off when I pushed during the race. I had a great amount of energy. My muscles still felt strong and I'd gotten a good amount of fluid in me," Britta explains.

You pushed hard several times and then slowed the pace; you must have noticed that many couldn't keep up!
"Yes, every time I pushed ahead there were only three with me: Lina, Smutnà and Laila. But none of them were particularly interested in keeping that fast pace. They might have been planning for the final spurt, trying to save as much strength as possible."

"The last five kilometres I was really excited because of this. I thought okay, I'll take that spurt. I was ready for a final spurt but still wanted to keep a high speed so it would cost them."

"I may have pushed a bit early and given Lina a very good line towards the finish. But I figured even then I could show that I had more to give. When she came up early I could respond."

Lina Korsgren comments the finish:
"I was going to keep cool as long as possible before challenging. When I went all out it felt like my body didn't respond quite as I'd hoped. But I'm satisfied with second place."

Katerina Smutná was also happy with her results even if she couldn't defend her victory from last year. Emma Wikén came in as fourth just ahead of Laila Kveli in fifth place.

It was impressive to see Kveli come back despite a fall so close to the finish.
"I thought 'oh dammit' when I ended up on the ground. I'm glad I didn't pull anyone else down. The fall was my own fault," says Kveli, continuing:
"I had to work hard to catch up since Britta went fast shortly after that. It felt like a good day up until the fall but also afterwards, since I could catch up. But then I had to pay for it on the final stretch."

Overall Britta pushed hard directly from the start and already at the Oxberg checkpoint there were nine skiers in a leading group, separated from the rest.

Lina Korsgren was first to Hökberg, taking the spurt prize narrowly ahead of Britta Johansson Norgren, Katerina Smutná, Laila Kveli, Elin Mohlin and Frida Erkers, all passing within five seconds. At the Eldris checkpoint there were eleven skiers again, all within ten seconds. These eleven were all part of the leading group down to Mora Parken before the battle on the final stretch.

Results Tjejvasan 2019
1 Britta Johansson Norgren, Sollefteå Skidor IF, 1.21.03
2 Lina Korsgren, Åre Längdskidklubb, 1.21.04
2 Katerina Smutná, Czech Republic, 1.21.07
4 Emma Wikén, Åsarna IK, 1.21.09
5 Laila Kveli, Norway, 1.21.09
6 Elin Mohlin, Sockertoppen IF, 1.21.11
7 Frida Erkers, IFK Mora SK, 1.21.24
8 Sandra Olsson, Malungs IF, 1.21.29
9 Frida Hallqvist, Åsarna IK, 1.21.30
10 Ida Dahl, IFK Mora SK, 1.21.38

For additional results, click "Results" on the Vasaloppet website vasaloppet.se

Noteworthy
First prize in Tjejvasan 2019 is 50,000 SEK.
ICA's spurt prize in Hökberg: Lina Korsgren, Åre Längdskidklubb, 29.59,2
DHL's spurt prize in Eldris: Lina Korsgren, Åre Längdskidklubb, 57.13.3
Individual prizes are awarded in the form of training scholarships for a combined total of 147,000 SEK.

Some others who skied to Mora
Best participant born in the 60s: Anita Moen, Norway, came in 34th with a time of 1.28.16 (a better time than when she won in 2001)
Best hurdlers: Susanna Kallur (start number 4170) 2.29.09 and Jenny Kallur (4612), 2.30.05.
Best pop artist: Linda ”Miss Li” Karlsson (4052) 3.00.25.
Best woman attempting ten races this week: Carina Hammarstrand (2523), 2.04.47

Watch SVT's live broadcast after the fact on SVT Play
https://www.svtplay.se/video/20992948/langdskidor-tjejvasan/langdskidor-tjejvasan-tjejvasan-1

See the spurt finish and interviews with the elite
https://www.svt.se/sport/langdskidor/tjejvasan-3

See all participants finish
https://www.vasaloppet.tv

Results lists and statistics
Start lists, live results, results lists and statistics can be found here:
http://media.vasaloppet.se/2019/?lang=EN_CAP
username: vasa
password: media

All Tjejvasan victors through the ages
1988 Karin Värnlund, IFK Mora
1989 Marie Johansson, Dala-Järna IK
1990 Cancelled
1991 Anna Frithioff, Kvarnsvedens GoIF
1992 Anna Frithioff, Kvarnsvedens GoIF
1993 Carina Görlin, Hudiksvalls IF
1994 Marie Helene Östlund, Hudiksvalls IF
1995 Marie Helene Östlund, Hudiksvalls IF
1996 Kerrin Petty, IFK Moras SK
1997 Karin Öhman, Stockviks Skidförening
1998 Bente Martinsen, Norway
1999 Elin Ek, Bergeforsens SK
2000 Annika Evaldsson, IFK Mora SK
2001 Anita Moen, Norway
2002 Emelie Öhrstig, Stockviks Skidförening
2003 Ulrica Persson, SK Bore
2004 Hilde G Pedersen, Norway
2005 Sofia Bleckur, IK Jarl
2006 Elin Ek, IFK Mora SK
2007 Susanne Nyström, Piteå Elit SK
2008 Susanne Nyström, Piteå Elit SK
2009 Susanne Nyström, Piteå Elit SK
2010 Susanne Nyström, IFK Mora SK
2011 Jenny Hansson, Östersunds SK
2012 Susanne Nyström, Laisvalls SK
2013 Susanne Nyström, Laisvalls SK
2014 Sofia Bleckur, IFK Mora SK
2015 Laila Kveli, Norway
2016 Britta Johansson Norgren, Sollefteå Skidor IF
2017 Britta Johansson Norgren, Sollefteå Skidor IF
2018 Katerina Smutná, Czech Republic
2019 Britta Johansson Norgren, Sollefteå Skidor IF

Most Tjejvasan victories
Susanne Nyström (6 wins), Britta Johansson Norgren (3 wins), Anna Frithioff, Marie-Helene Östlund, Elin Ek and Sofia Bleckur (2 wins each).

Most top-three positions in Tjejvasan
Susanne Nyström (7 top-three positions), Sofia Bleckur and Britta Johansson Norgren (5 each), Elin Ek and Emelie Öhrstig (4 each), Anna Frithioff, Jenny Hansson, Emilia Lindstedt and Katerina Smutná (3 each).

Places still available in Vasaloppet's Winter Week 2019
There are still start places available except in the two fully-booked races: Blåbärsloppet and Vasaloppet. You can register directly on location. Read more under "Direct registration" at vasaloppet.se

Register for Tjejvasan 2020
Want to ski Tjejvasan 499 years after Gustav Vasa's adventure in Dalarna? Registration for Tjejvasan 2020 open on Sunday, March 17 at 09:00 on vasaloppet.se. The race runs on Saturday, February 22, 2020.

More facts about Vasaloppet's Winter Week can be found in Vasaloppet's Facts Guide 2019 (in Swedish):
http://www.vasaloppet.se/faktaguide

Events in the Vasaloppet Arena

Vasaloppet Winter Week 2019
Fri 22 Feb: Kortvasan. 30 km. Start Oxberg.
Sat 23 Feb: Tjejvasan. 30 km. Start Oxberg.
Sun 24 Feb: Ungdomsvasan. 9/19 km Start Eldris/Hökberg.
Sun 24 Feb: Öppet Spår Sunday. 90 km. Start Sälen.
Mon 25 Feb: Öppet Spår Monday. 90 km. Start Sälen.
Tue 26 Feb: Halvvasan. 45 km. Start Oxberg.
Fri 1 Mar: Stafettvasan. 9–24 km. Five-person teams. Start Sälen.
Fri 1 Mar: Nattvasan 90. 90 km. Two-person teams. Start Sälen.
Fri 1 Mar: Nattvasan 45. 90 km. Two-person teams. Start Oxberg.
Sat 2 Mar: Blåbärsloppet. 9 km. Start Eldris. (FULL 190220)
Sun 3 Mar: Vasaloppet. 90 km. Start Sälen. (FULL 180318)

Vasaloppet's Summer Week 2019
Fri 11 Aug: Cykelvasan Öppet Spår. 94 km. Start Sälen
Fri 11 Aug: Cykelvasasprinten. 1 km. Lindvallen, Sälen (Open qualifier on Thursday)
Sat 10 Aug: Cykelvasan 90. 94 km. Start Sälen
Sun 11 Aug: Cykelvasan 30. 32 km. Start Oxberg
Sun 11 Aug: Ungdomscykelvasan. 32 km. Start Oxberg
Sun 11 Aug: Cykelvasan 45. 45 km. Start Oxberg
Sat 17 Aug: Ultravasan 45. 45 km. Start Oxberg
Sat 17 Aug: Ultravasan 90. 90 km. Start Sälen
Sat 17 Aug: Vasastafetten. 4.5–15 km. Running relay for ten-person teams. Start Sälen
Sat 17 Aug: Vasakvartetten. 19.1–24.2 km. Running relay for four-person teams. Start Sälen

High-resolution photos from Tjejvasan and Vasaloppet:
http://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/pressroom/vasaloppet/image/list

Text and photos may be freely published.

For more information

Per Källgren, Vasaloppet Press Manager
+46 (0)70-745 40 48
per.kallgren@vasaloppet.se

More on Vasaloppet?
www.vasaloppet.se
Press room: mynewsdesk.com/se/pressroom/vasaloppet
Facebook: facebook.com/vasaloppetofficial
Instagram: @vasaloppet
Twitter: @vasaloppet