PRESS RELEASE FROM VASALOPPET: Johanna Hagström won Tjejvasan 2026

Johanna Hagström, Ulricehamns IF, won today’s Tjejvasan – the world’s biggest ski race exclusively for women – in a photo finish ahead of Julie Støstad of Norway. Jenny Larsson, Östersunds SK, finished third. The junior class was won by Vera Myhlback of Bjursås IK ahead of Johanna Holmberg of Östersunds SK in second and Lisa Alrik, Ulricehamns IF, in third.

The 38th Tjejvasan had 7,950 registered participants – the highest number since 2017. In total, more than 60,000 skiers are signed up for Vasaloppet’s Winter Week 2026, and registrations for the Winter Week 2027 are already pouring in.

It was overcast and −2 °C when the competition class started at 09:00 in Oxberg for the 30 km race to Mora. After that, recreational class groups started every fifteen minutes from 09:15 to 12:15.

The elite pace was high from the start and the field quickly spread out. Last year’s winner Jenny Larsson took the early lead and was first to the Oxberg checkpoint at 2 km, followed by Moa Lundgren, Julie Støstad, Johanna Hagström, and Anja Stolpe. The tempo eased slightly and more skiers caught up. The Lager 157 Ski Team quartet of Jenny Larsson, Anja Stolpe, Linnea Johansson, and Karolina Hedenström all stayed near the front.

After 15 minutes, a leading group of 14 skiers had formed with Moa Lundgren setting the pace, relieved by Jenny Larsson and Julie Støstad, the only Norwegian in the mix with the Swedish skiers. Julie Støstad finished third in Tjejvasan 2025.

The speed increased again but the leading group remained large. Olympic skier Johanna Hagström, who last Sunday won the 45 km Skinnarloppet ahead of Stina Nilsson, stayed close to the front the entire time.

Fresh snow in the tracks meant Britta Johansson Norgren’s 2022 course record was never under threat. But on the climb for the sprint prize in Hökberg at 11 km, the group split. Moa Lundgren took the sprint prize ahead of Julie Støstad, Karolina Hedenström, and Johanna Hagström. Eight skiers grouped up when Ida Dahl, Anja Stolpe, Jenny Larsson, and Ida Palmberg joined.

Jenny Larsson lost a basket from her pole and dropped about 100 metres before receiving a replacement and catching back up with the seven others.

Jenny Larsson went on to win the Eldris sprint prize with 9 km remaining. The time there was more than six minutes slower than in 2025, but the eight skiers stuck together and the race remained wide open.

With 6 km to go, several surges split the group and Ida Dahl and Anja Stolpe fell behind. Entering the new section near Mora Ski Stadium, the pace looked moderate. With only 3 km left, Jenny Larsson finally got her correct pole back. The speed surged again as the skiers fought for position through Moraparken.

Turning onto the home stretch by the Zorn Museum, Julie Støstad led just ahead of Jenny Larsson. Johanna Hagström stumbled slightly but recovered and moved in behind Støstad. Hagström launched her sprint with 100 metres to go, double-poling side by side with Julie Støstad toward the finish line. Johanna Hagström, who narrowly missed the Olympic sprint finish eleven days earlier, timed it perfectly this time. After a tense wait, the photo finish showed that Johanna Hagström had won by mere centimetres.

Johanna Hagström told SVT:
"It was a tough race but really fun. They pushed hard at times and I felt I had to stay calm and save energy. I wanted to keep my head cool, stay on someone's back and not go out too early. On the final stretch I wasn’t sure how far was left, and when I went for it I thought, ‘Oh, that’s a bit farther than I thought...’ At the very end it felt like Julie Støstad was coming back, so I figured I just had to stretch my toe as far as I could."

"The tracks were deceptive today. I would have liked to stay in one track and switch when needed. It’s hard when you’re behind a snowmobile or between tracks and you’re not allowed to skate – skis slip a bit here and there and everyone jumps around. You really had to stay alert so you didn’t trip over someone, that was tricky today. It got easier in the tracks near the end, which felt better."

Julie Støstad, who took third place in the Tjejvasan 2025 photo finish, and second place via photo finish today, said:
"It was a fun race, an exciting to sprint for the win, and losing to Johanna Hagström feels okay. I felt good and tried to push the pace sometimes, but you don’t want to spend everything when you know it’ll come down to a sprint. I was pretty sure I finished second; you usually have a feeling for these things. Now I’ll go home, rest, and train a bit for Vasaloppet."

Jenny Larsson, last year’s winner who finished third this year, said:
"You can always hope for more, but I wasn’t sure the last few days if I’d even race, I haven’t felt super strong. The first half I was slow and I didn’t feel in control, but when the pole trouble happened I got fired up and found my rhythm. Third place is good for today, I think."

"It got tight between Johanna and me and she stepped on my pole basket, but these things happen. Then I got the wrong pole, but I took it for what it was. It happens. I got my own pole back eventually. Being outsprinted by Johanna Hagström, who’s raced Olympic sprints, is nothing to be ashamed of. She’s a top-class skier who looked strong throughout. I'm glad she came to race."

The 102nd Vasaloppet takes place in eight days. Julie Støstad and Jenny Larsson won’t have to contend with Johanna Hagström then, as she will be competing in the final four World Cup sprint races next month instead.

The junior race (D17–20), held for the fifth time this year, was won by 16-year-old Vera Myhlback of Bjursås IK.

Throwback: Watch Johanna Hagström in Ungdomsvasan 2009:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeXADIbOOzE

Results Tjejvasan 2026
Start lists, live results, result lists and statistics for media can be found here:
https://media.vasaloppet.se/2026/?lang=EN_CAP
username: vasa
password: media

High-resolution photos from Tjejvasan 2026
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/vasaloppet/latest_media

Kransmas
This year's Kransmas, the 38th, is William Mathisen of Sälens IF.

Results Tjejvasan 2026, Senior class (D21)
1. Johanna Hagström, (SWE) Ulricehamns SK, 1.26.11
2. Julie Støstad, (NOR) Norge, 1.26.11
3. Jenny Larsson, (SWE) Östersunds SK, 1.26.13
4. Moa Lundgren, (SWE) Åsarna IK, 1.26.15
5. Karolina Hedenström, (SWE) IK Stern, 1.26.18
6. Ida Palmberg, (SWE) Högbo GIF, 1.26.20
7. Ida Dahl, (SWE) IFK Mora SK, 1.27.13
8. Anja Stolpe, (SWE) Filipstads SF, 1.27.14
9. Linnea Johansson, (SWE) Linköpings SK, 1.29.03
10. Madelene Nord, (SWE) DPONLY Ski Club, 1.29.06

ResultsTjejvasan 2026, Junior class (D17–20)
1. Vera Myhlback, (SWE) Bjursås IK, 1.30.17
2. Johanna Holmberg, (SWE) Östersunds SK, 1.32.21
3. Lisa Alrik, (SWE) Ulricehamns SK, 1.32.22
4. Märta Johansson, (SWE) Hägglunds Ski Team SK, 1.33.31
5. Maja Hörnström, (SWE) Rehns BK, 1.33.44
6. Enya Daabach, (SWE) Åsarna IK, 1.35.04
7. Elvira Niva, (SWE) IFK Kiruna, 1.36.02
8. Tilde Gyllbäck, (SWE) Rehns BK, 1.36.12
9. Thea Nordin, (SWE) Skellefteå SK, 1.37.47
10. Ellen Olsson, (SWE) Garphyttans IF, 1.37.50

For additional results, click ”Results” on Vasaloppet's website vasaloppet.se

Prizes
First prize in the Tjejvasan 2026 senior class is 50,000 SEK.
Sprint prize winner in Hökberg: Moa Lundgren, Åsarna IK, 32.45
Sprint prize winner in Eldris: Jenny Larsson, Östersunds SK, 1.01.55

Individual prizes (in the form of training scholarships) are awarded in the senior and junior classes of Tjejvasan 2026 to a total value of 156,000 SEK.

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
2020 Britta Johansson Norgren, Sollefteå Skidor IF
2021 Lina Korsgren, Åre Längdskidklubb
2022 Britta Johansson Norgren, Sollefteå Skidor IF
2023 Ida Dahl, Team Engcon
2024 Kati Roivas, Finland
2025 Jenny Larsson, Lager 157 Ski Team/Östersunds SK
2026 Johanna Hagström, Ulricehamns IF

Most Tjejvasan wins
Susanne Nyström (6 wins), Britta Johansson Norgren (5 wins), Anna Frithioff, Marie-Helene Östlund, Elin Ek and Sofia Bleckur (2 wins each).

Junior class victors
2022 Alba Björnsdotter, Järpens Skidklubb
2023 Evelina Crusell, Team Eksjöhus
2024 Evelina Crusell, Team Eksjöhus
2025 Alva Hedström, Funäsdalens IF
2026 Vera Myhlback, Bjursås IK

Watch a Tjejvasan 2026 rerun on SVT Play. (Only available in Sweden.) >
https://www.svtplay.se/video/KzVByk9/tjejvasan/lor-21-feb-08-45

Watch all Tjejvasan 2026 finishes on Vasaloppet.TV >
https://vasaloppet.tv/video/1115685/tvmo2026

Watch the elites race to win in Tjejvasan Live 2026 on Vasaloppet.TV >
https://vasaloppet.tv/video/1115688/tvprod2026

NOW: Register for Tjejvasan 2027 – train all year
Registration for Tjejvasan 2027 has now opened at vasaloppet.se. An early bird discount applies up until Friday, March 27, 2026

FOR MEDIA: Which participants are from your county? Start lists, results, statistics and reports:
At media.vasaloppet.se you can access start lists and result lists from all races and follow skiers live on the course. Login required.
http://media.vasaloppet.se/2026/?lang=EN_CAP
Username: vasa
Password: media

FOR REGIONAL RESULTS:
Choose ”Reports” at media.vasaloppet.se. Then select the race and file format. ”Resultatlista (inklusive föreningar och län)” is a complete results lists for the chosen race. You can use this to sort by county, for example.

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, FULLY BOOKED, 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.

Like Vasaloppet on Facebook and follow Vasaloppet on Instagram!

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

More on Vasaloppet
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