Maja and William appointed Vasaloppet’s Kranskulla and Kransmas for 2026

Today marks exactly 100 days until the 102nd Vasaloppet, taking place on Sunday, March 1, 2026, and the names of the Kranskulla and Kransmas were announced today at a press conference at Café Zorn in Mora. The honours go to Maja Stefansson, representing IFK Mora Gymnastikklubb, and William Mathisen, representing Sälens IF. Both have paused their international careers this year, as cross-country skier and snowboarder respectively, so what could be more fitting than serving as Kranskulla and Kransmas?

The 24 races in Vasaloppet’s Winter Week 2026 and Vasaloppet’s Summer Week 2026 currently have more than 56,000 registered participants combined. There are still start places available in all races, including Vasaloppet and Tjejvasan.

The competition manager for Vasaloppet appoints the Kranskulla, the 102nd in succession since 1922, and the competition managers for Tjejvasan appoint the Kransmas, the 38th since 1988. The Kranskulla and Kransmas hold what are often called the most honourable roles among the thousands of functionaries who make Vasaloppet’s many events possible. Their assignment extends over the whole year, including Vasaloppet’s Summer Week in August with popular races such as Cykelvasan and Ultravasan.

KRANSKULLA
Maja Stefansson has been appointed Vasaloppet’s Kranskulla for 2026 with the following motivation:
“‘I really think you should be Kranskulla.’ These words from a former Kranskulla capture exactly the feeling many have towards this year’s candidate. She is someone who spreads joy, embraces challenges with curiosity, and meets others with warmth and care.

At the age of ten she stepped into the gymnastics hall of IFK Mora GK, where she quickly became part of the community – first as an athlete, then as a coach and today as one of the youngest chairpersons the club has ever had. Gymnastics has shaped her: taught her to collaborate, persevere and always put the team before herself.

When she later found her way to the ski tracks it marked the beginning of a new chapter – a lifestyle full of focus, joy and experiences in nature. She now competes successfully in both long-distance and traditional cross-country skiing, and her commitment to Vasaloppet has grown stronger every year.

She is a true ambassador for the joy of sport, community spirit and the Mora ethos – and she wears the Mora folk costume with pride, warmth and heart. ‘It’s the finest thing I have in my wardrobe,’ says Maja Stefansson, who is our obvious choice as Kranskulla for the 2026 Vasaloppet events.”
Annlouise Almqvist, competition manager for Vasaloppet

Facts Vasaloppet's Kranskulla 2026 (no. 102)
Name: Maja Stefansson
Age: 24 (born November 22, 2001).
Residence: Mora
Family: Mother Sabine, father Örjan and older brother Malte (national team biathlete)
Occupation: Elite cross-country skier, full-time student of business development in tourism at YH Akademin, also works as an assistant estate agent and is coach, judge and chairperson of IFK Mora Gymnastikklubb
Sport: Gymnastics as coach, cross-country skiing as athlete
Club: IFK Mora Gymnastikklubb (and Oxbergs IF in skiing)
Achievements: 17th in Tjejvasan 2025, 31st in Vasaloppet 2024, 6th in Ultravasan 45 2023, 20th in Ultravasan 90 2025, best time in Vasaloppstrippeln 90 2025 (third-best time ever)
Athletic goals: In gymnastics to help develop the club; in cross-country skiing to continue developing at an elite level
Interests: Sport, singing, textiles, spending time with family and friends
Describe yourself in three words:Curious, inventive, multitasker

KRANSMAS
William Mathisen has been appointed Vasaloppet’s Kransmas for 2026 with the following motivation:
“This year’s Kransmas, representing Sälens IF, is a role model both on and off the slopes. With roots in Sälen and his heart in the mountains, he has shown that determination, courage and passion can take a young athlete all the way to the world elite.

He has represented Sweden in the World Cup and World Championships in snowboarding, where he has impressed with his technical skill and creative style. He has taken international podiums, won Swedish Championship gold medals and been part of the Swedish Olympic Committee’s Top and Talent programme. But it is not only his results that make him a worthy representative for Vasaloppet – it is also his humility, local connection and commitment to the sport and the community.

This year’s Kransmas has chosen to take a break from competition during the autumn of 2025, demonstrating the courage to listen inwardly and prioritise his wellbeing – a decision that inspires far beyond the world of sports.

With his strong ties to the Vasaloppet Arena, his humble manner and his impressive sporting merits, we as competition managers for Tjejvasan see William Mathisen as an excellent ambassador for Vasaloppet 2026.”
Helene Söderlund and Cathrine Mörk, competition managers for Tjejvasan

Facts Vasaloppet's Kransmas 2026 (no. 38)
Name: William Mathisen
Age: 22 (born March 6, 2003)
Residence: Sälen
Family: Father Lars, mother Liselotte, living in Stockholm and Sälen, half-brother Alexander in Stockholm
Occupation: Snowboarder and works in Kläppen Snowpark in Sälen
Sport: Snowboarding
Club: Sälens IF
Achievements: 5th in World Championships slopestyle 2023, 2nd in World Cup Spindleruv 2022, 7th in World Cup Tignes 2024, four Swedish Championship gold medals in slopestyle and big air, winner of the Swedish Snowboard Series, selected for the Swedish Olympic Committee’s Top and Talent 2023
Athletic goals: The goal has been to make a living from the sport, which I maybe did not quite reach. Of course the Olympics would have been fun, but snowboarding is a broad sport and you can do much more than compete, such as filming or other projects.
Interests: Disc golf (competing for two years), some gym training and running, skateboarding during the summer months.
Describe yourself in three words: Kind, determined, hopefully creative

FACTS
The first Kranskulla appeared in connection with the very first Vasaloppet in 1922 while the first Kransmas entered the scene alongside the first Tjejvasan in 1988. Since 2005, the Kransmas also awards the victory wreath to the women's class winner of Vasaloppet.

Vasaloppet's Winter Week 2026 starts with Vasaloppet 30 on Friday, February 20, 2026 and finishes with the 102nd Vasaloppet on Sunday, March 1, 2026. The Kranskulla will be crowned in Mora church on Friday, February 27, 2026 and the Kransmas will be crowned in Älvdalen church on Friday, February 20, 2026.

During Vasaloppet's Summer Week, which started in 2009, the Kranskulla and Kransmas also crown the winners of Cykelvasan 90, Ultravasan 90, Ultravasan 45 and Trailvasan 30.

Read more about the Kranskulla and Kransmas in Vasaloppet
https://www.vasaloppet.se/en/about-us/history/kranskulla-and-kransmas/

Upcoming events in the Vasaloppet Arena:

Vasaloppet's Winter Week 2026 and the 102nd Vasaloppet – cross country skiing
Friday, February 20, Vasaloppet 30, start Oxberg, 30 km
Saturday, February 21, Tjejvasan, start Oxberg, 30 km
Sunday, February 22, Öppet Spår Sunday, start Sälen, 90 km
Sunday, February 22, Ungdomsvasan, start Eldris, 9 km, start Hökberg, 19 km
Monday, February 23, Öppet Spår Monday 90, freestyle, start Sälen, 90 km
Monday, February 23, Öppet Spår Monday 45, freestyle, start Oxberg, 45 km
Monday, February 23, Öppet Spår Monday 30, freestyle, start Oxberg, 30 km
Tuesday, February 24, Vasaloppet 45, start Oxberg, 45 km
Friday, February 27, Stafettvasan, ski relay, five sections, start Sälen, 90 km
Friday, February 27, Nattvasan 30, individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Oxberg, 30 km
Friday, February 27, Nattvasan 45, individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Oxberg, 45 km
Friday, February 27, Nattvasan 90, individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Sälen, 90 km
Saturday, February 28, Vasaloppet 10, freestyle, start Eldris, 9 km
Sunday, March 1, The 102nd Vasaloppet, start Sälen, 90 km

Vasaloppet's Summer Week 2026 – biking and running
Friday, August 7, Cykelvasan 30, start Oxberg, 32 km
Friday, August 7, Cykelvasan Öppet Spår, start Sälen, 95 km
Friday, August 7, Cykelvasan 45, start Oxberg, 45 km
Saturday, August 8, Cykelvasan 90, start Sälen, 95 km
Friday, August 14, Funkisvasan, start Mora, 4 km
Friday, August 14, Trailvasan 10, start Mora, 10 km
Saturday, August 15, Ultravasan 90, start Sälen, 92 km
Saturday, August 15, Vasastafetten, running relay, ten legs, start Sälen, 92 km
Saturday, August 15, Ultravasan 45, start Oxberg, 45 km
Saturday, August 15, Trailvasan 30, start Oxberg, 30 km

Vasaloppstrippeln – ski, bike and run, all in one year
Vasaloppstrippeln is a challenge where you complete three races – skiing, cycling and running – during one and the same calendar year. Choose between 30, 45 or 90 kilometres.

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High-resolution photos from Vasaloppet
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/vasaloppet/latest_media

Text and photos may be freely published.

For more information
Camilla Sandy Swarén. Press Manager Vasaloppet
+46 (0)70-384 95 00
camilla.sandy@vasaloppet.se

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