Vasaloppet 2026: Myhlback and Nilsson Aim for Back-to-Back Victories
On Sunday, the historic Vasaloppet race commences in Berga village at 08:00, with the men’s and women’s winners expected to cross the finish line approximately four hours later. Last year marked a triumphant moment for Swedish skiers, as Alvar Myhlback and Stina Nilsson secured victories in the men’s and women’s classes, respectively.
Nilsson Downplays Favorite Status
Despite her dominant performance in the 2025 race, finishing over five minutes ahead of the runner-up, Stina Nilsson is hesitant to embrace the label of favorite for the 2026 competition. “I don’t actually feel that much favoritism. Last year it was really like a fairy tale. Everything fell completely my way and I really had ten out of ten on everything. So I don’t see myself as a bigger favorite than anyone else. There is so much that needs to happen for me to have another day like this,” she stated.
A Historic Win for Swedish Skiing
Last year’s results represented the first time since 2011 that both the men’s and women’s victories in Vasaloppet were claimed by Swedish skiers. In 2011, Jörgen Brink and Jenny Hansson achieved the same feat.
Nilsson’s Rise in Ski Classics
The 2025 Vasaloppet win was Nilsson’s first victory at the Pro tour level of Ski Classics. Since then, she has added three more such race wins to her record, with her most recent triumph coming in the Swiss Engadin on January 17th. Currently, she holds the fifth position in Ski Classics’ overall standings.
Fleten and Øyre Slind Challenge Nilsson
Norwegian Emilie Fleten, currently second in the overall standings, identifies Stina Nilsson as the clear favorite for Vasaloppet 2026. “For me it is clearly Stina Nilsson. She won last year. It was the first time she rode the Vasaloppet. The race suits her very well and I reckon she has been in better shape than she managed to show in January. So it’s Stina and I will also put myself up there,” Fleten commented.
Astrid Øyre Slind, who recently competed for Norway in the Olympics, is also considered a strong contender. Nilsson expressed her anticipation for the challenge, stating, “I thought as soon as she broke the Olympics that now she is saving energy for the Vasaloppet. But I’m looking forward to it. I think it puts an even higher status on the Vasaloppet. She is welcome.”
Øyre Slind’s Record and Potential for a Rapid Race
Astrid Øyre Slind currently holds the fastest women’s time in Vasaloppet history, winning in 2022 with a time of 3 hours, 50 minutes, and 6 seconds. Nilsson’s time from last year was just under four minutes slower. While there was discussion of potentially fast conditions leading up to the 2026 race, the current forecast predicts snowfall on Sunday.
Despite the potential for challenging conditions, Nilsson remains unconcerned about breaking the record time. Reflecting on her 2025 finish, she said, “I really didn’t have a thought about that record time and I didn’t care at all. So I don’t care about a record time.”
Vasaloppet’s Fastest Women’s Winners
- Astrid Øyre Slind (2022): 3:50:06
- Lina Korsgren (2021): 3:52:08
- Stina Nilsson (2025): 3:54:00
- Emilie Fleten (2023): 4:04:08
- Vibeke Skofterud (2012): 4:08:24
- Kerry Petty (1998): 4:17:02
- Katerina Smutná (2016): 4:17:56
- Britta Johansson Norgren (2017): 4:19:43
- Sofia Lind (2004): 4:20:28
- Laila Kveli (2013): 4:22:22
Source: vasaloppet.se