Improved dialogue and clarification of rules to curb skating in Vasaloppet

Sport Lead Tommy Höglund, after this year’s Vasaloppet, discussions have emerged in various forums about how Vasaloppet handles participants who skate “illegally”. What is your view on this?
”We take this very seriously. Long-distance skiing has gradually evolved at the elite level to the point where top athletes now compete entirely without grip wax. Just a few years ago, weather and snow conditions played a major role in the choice of skiing with or without grip wax, but that is no longer the case. This development is now progressing with more skiers beyond the elite also actively choosing to ski without grip wax, so we see a need for better dialogue around this. We also need to be clearer about what rules apply and provide more information about the jury’s work.”

How do you plan to work going forward to avoid such discussions around skating in Vasaloppet? ”In our participant survey, 24 percent of Vasaloppet skiers stated that they used skate or double-poling skis. We find that surprisingly high. We need to help address this development by creating the best possible conditions for participants: through targeted communication, clarification of the rules, and perhaps also by reviewing operational procedures during the event. We want to safeguard classic skiing, both nationally and internationally. We will work on this to reach out to our participants. More specific information will be provided ahead of the winter season 2025/2026.”

What does the rulebook say regarding disqualification due to unauthorised skating?
”The use of skating should result in disqualification. The FIS rulebook applies in Vasaloppet. It states that the jury should consider the severity of the rule violation. If the incident is deemed a rule breach but has not led to any advantage in the final results, the jury may choose to issue a verbal or written warning instead of disqualification. The evidence used for technique violations in Vasaloppet includes jury members’ own observations, official TV footage, and video clips from Vasaloppet’s own technique monitoring stations positioned along the course.”

Who is part of Vasaloppet’s race jury?
”The race jury in all FIS-sanctioned cross-country races consists of a chair appointed by FIS and an assistant TD (technical delegate) appointed by the national ski federation, in this case the Swedish Ski Association. In addition to these two, the Ski Classics race director and Vasaloppet’s competition managers are included. Vasaloppet has a representative in the jury, namely the competition manager.”

Can someone be disqualified after the fact?
”In FIS long-distance races for skiers with an active FIS code, there is a protest period of 60 minutes from the time the unofficial results list is published. Once this time has passed the results list becomes official and can only be changed if a doping test returns positive. This means that the jury cannot impose penalties after the list has become official. Protests against skiers who do not have an active FIS code must be submitted to the competition jury within 48 hours after the winner has crossed the finish line.”

It is rumoured that a participant this year contacted Vasaloppet afterwards and asked to be disqualified for skating – is that true?
”That is incorrect. No one here has received such an email or phone call. And even if someone were to request something like that afterwards, Vasaloppet could not take any action, as rule violations are handled by an external jury.”

Thank you, Tommy!
”Thank you.”

(FIS = International Ski Federation)

FACTS / Competition rules

Technique in Vasaloppet Classic ski techniq

Changing direction allows stepping with the inside ski and pushing off with the outside ski with the intent of changing direction. When there are multiple prepared tracks, repeated track changes or stepping in and out of the track are not permitted. Single or double skating is not allowed. Read the full rules on the Swedish Ski Association’s website.

The swedish Ski association’s website >
fis-ski.com >

Registration for Vasaloppet’s Winter Week and Vasaloppet 2026 The 102nd Vasaloppet will take place on Sunday, March 1, 2026, and registration is now open. Your registration is most welcome!