Star-studded start field in Vasaloppet 2015

The FIS Nordic Ski World Championships in Falun increase the possibility of a record strong start field in Vasaloppet 2015. With less than a month left until the event, several big names can now be confirmed. Alexander Legkov, Maxim Vylegzhanin and Justyna Kowalczyk are a few of those who will challenge the cross-country skiers at the start in Berga by on March 8.

"The way things are looking now, this could be a historic Vasalopp where we get a real fight between the experienced cross-country specialists and the established World Championship and Olympic skiers. We have had championship skiers before, but 2015 looks to be a year where we can present a start field filled with the absolute world elite on both the women's and men's side," says Vasaloppet's acting Sports Manager Johan Eriksson.

Over the past few years, with the increasingly established long distance cup Swix Ski Classics, the sport has developed some clear cross-country specialists. Apart from these stars there are now several international top names from the World Cup and the Olympics to be found in the Vasaloppet start lists. Among these is the gold medalist from the from the 50 km in Sojti, Russian Alexander Legkov, as well as his compatriot Maxim Vylegzhanin, who took three silver medals in the Winter Olympics 2014.

Polish Justyna Kowalczyk is also registered. Justyna has double Olympic and World Championship golds, four total World Cup victories, and is the only person to have won Tour de Ski four years in a row. Swedish World cup skiers who have announced their participation are the 50 km champions Johan Olsson and Daniel Richardsson as well as the home reserve during the World Championships in Falun, Anders Södergren.

"We see great opportunities to attract interesting athletes now that everyone in the skiing world is coming to Dalarna for the World Championships. We are in contact with many but most wish to wait until after the World Championships to make a decision," says Vasaloppet's acting Sports Manager Johan Eriksson.

Vasaloppet's Winter Week 2015
Fri 27 Feb: KortVasan. 30 km.
Sat 28 Feb: TjejVasan. 30 km. (10,000 entries. FULL 6/10/2014)
Sun 1 Mar: UngdomsVasan. 3, 5, 7 or 9 km.
Sun 1 Mar: Öppet Spår Sunday. 90 km. (10,000 entries. FULL 21/5/2014)
Mon 2 Mar: Öppet Spår Monday. 90 km. (8,000 entries. FULL 13/9/2014)
Tues 3 Mar: HalvVasan. 45 km.
Fri 6 Mar: StafettVasan. 24, 24, 14, 9 and 19 km. (8,000 entries. FULL 16/3/2014)
Sun 8 Mar: Vasaloppet. 90 km. (15,800 entries. FULL 16/3/2014)

High resolution photos from Vasaloppet:
Mynewsdesk - Vasaloppets pressrum

Text and photos may be freely published.

For more information

Johan Eriksson, Acting Sports Manager
Phone: +46 (0)250-392 30
Mobile: +46 (0)703-428 380
Email: johan.eriksson@vasaloppet.se

Ola Granfeldt, PR Manager
Phone: +46 (0)250-392 77
Mobile: +46 (0)733-550 620
Email: ola.granfeldt@vasaloppet.se

More on Vasaloppet?

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

Vasaloppet is the world's biggest organiser of recreational races, all year round and a part of En Svensk Klassiker. Vasaloppet's Winter Week with its cross country skiing and the Summer Week with mountain bike cycling and running attracted a total of over 88,000 registered participants in 2013. Since the beginning in 1922 over one million participants have passed under the classic finish portal in Mora. Vasaloppet is a non-profit making organisation owned by IFK Mora and Sälens IF. An engine for public health and organisational activities, in the footsteps our forefathers for the victories of tomorrow!