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Mora, Minnesota Vasaloppet in 2011.

2011 skiers registered for the 2011 Mora, MN. Vasaloppet Ski Races

The Vasaloppet ski event in Mora, MN began in 1972 and has been held the second weekend in February ever since. Skiers come from all over North America and several countries around the world to participate in this volunteer run event. In 2011, there were 2011 registrations for its race opportunities on Sunday, February 13. Four countries have a Vasaloppet event: the original in Mora, Sweden, the Minnesota event, plus events in Japan and China.

The event is grounded on the story of King Gustav Vasa, who was fleeing the Danes in the 1500s in Sweden. He was unable to rally forces to fight the Danish contingent, so after his final attempt in Mora, in Dalarna, Sweden, he determined that his only recourse was to ski to Norway to “wait it out.” After he departed, the community gathered and changed its mind about supporting him. They sent two of their fastest skiers to catch up with him and bring him back. The distance they skied was thereafter named “The Vasa run” or Vasaloppet. In Sweden the race is 90 K. In Mora, MN. There are several races and two different styles of skiing. People can participate in the 13 K, 35K, 42K Classic, 58k and the 58K relay. King Gustav Vasa did prevail and unified Sweden under his crown.

The weekend in Mora, MN includes an art show, a Friendship Ski, a barn dance, a spaghetti supper, a pancake breakfast, several church worship opportunities, and finally an awards presentation and a culminating banquet. In 2012 the community will celebrated its 40th anniversary. Plans are already underway. For more information visit Vasaloppet USA

For information on the other Vasaloppet races, see International Vasaloppet Skiing Exchange.

By Valorie Arrowsmith

Winner of the 58 K race was Johanna Winters of Minneapolis, with a time of 2:58:33. She pauses a moment to catch her breath before being awarded the winner’s wreath. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith. ENLARGE IMAGE »

Kranskulla Amy Hovland awards a skier his medal at the completion of the Vasaloppet ski race. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith. ENLARGE IMAGE »

Matthew Liebsch of Orono, MN. poses with King Gustav Vasa and the Kranskulla after winning the 58 K race with a time of 2:38:20. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith. ENLARGE IMAGE »

The Hovland family of Mora, MN. was truly involved in Vasaloppet activities this year. Father Eric and daughter Rachel skied two different races, with Rachel taking second place in her age class, mother Amy was the Kranskulla for 2011. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith. ENLARGE IMAGE »

Chip Gerdin, of Stanchfield, one of the Mora High School cross country ski coaches, completed the 58K race and chats with King Gustav Vasa and a couple of the Kranskullor at the finish line. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith. ENLARGE IMAGE »

Skier number 2157 Wally Hed, of Cambridge, MN. crosses the finish line and takes second place in his class of skiers ages 75 and older in the 35K race. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith. ENLARGE IMAGE »

King Gustav Vasa posed for a picture with the top finishers of the 35K race. Wearing the winner’s wreath is Nathan Porath of Red Wing, MN, with a time of 1:28:41. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith. ENLARGE IMAGE »

University of Minnesota student Nick Nylund receives his medal from Miss Svenskarnasdag Tatiana Hakanson at the completion of the Mora Vasaloppet ski race. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith. ENLARGE IMAGE »

Processing the feelings and excitement from the Mora Vasaloppet ski race takes different forms for different skiers. They may choose to sit and rest or they may chat with friends about race conditions while taking some nourishment. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith. ENLARGE IMAGE »

Miss Svenskarnasdag, Tatiana Hakanson, a second year environmental engineering student at the University of Minnesota from Mahtomedi, MN. took a break from her duties at the Mora Vasaloppet to enjoy some baked goods at Ullies Old World Bakery in downtown Mora, MN. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith. ENLARGE IMAGE »

This veteran skier from the Mora Sweden Vasaloppet ski race comes to Mora, MN to join the fun. To qualify as a Swedish Veteraner, you must ski the 90K race 30 times. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith. ENLARGE IMAGE »

Some new spectators appeared in the Vasaloppet crowd in Mora, MN. this year. Trolls generally do not like the sun, but these seemed to manage to stay awake and cheer on the skiers. These street puppets represented the finale of an elementary school arts residency in the Mora schools. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith ENLARGE IMAGE »

The skier meets the tree face-to-face. This is the window from Ullies Old World Bakery in downtown Mora, MN. It was part of the Vasaloppet window decorating contest sponsored by the Mora Area Chamber of Commerce. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith. ENLARGE IMAGE »

Mora CAPP (comprehensive arts program planning) sponsored a puppetry artist in residence Ann Sawyer. She helped elementary children create troll walking street puppets who interacted with guests at the Mora, MN. Vasaloppet. Here they stand near the finish line for the ski races. Photo by J. Broekemeier. ENLARGE IMAGE »

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