Women get their own start groups in Cykelvasan 90 and Cykelvasan Öppet Spår 2023
Starting from Vasaloppet's Summer Week 2023, women participating in the recreational exercise classes of Cykelvasan 90 and Cykelvasan Öppet Spår can, if they wish, start in a group consisting only of women. This initiative is part of the project "More women on the track," which aims to improve the gender balance in Vasaloppet's races.
”Cykelvasan 90 has the lowest percentage of female participants, around 13 percent. Offering separate start groups for women in the recreational class is an attempt to increase this figure and inspire more female participants to cycle the stretch between Sälen and Mora,” says Tommy Höglund, Sport Manager at Vasaloppet.
Since the project ”More women on the track” started in the fall of 2022, several measures and new additions have been implemented for the various winter races. For example, seeding rules have been adjusted and separate portable toilets with free menstrual products have been introduced. Focus is now on the summer races, and the first step is testing separate start groups for women in both Cykelvasan 90 and Cykelvasan Öppet Spår.
”Much of it is about lowering barriers and guiding participants into the world of Vasaloppet. Norms and attitudes are also important; everyone should feel welcome, and by offering dedicated start groups for women, we hope to encourage more people to try our longest cycling races.” says Tommy Höglund.
In Cykelvasan Öppet Spår, which takes place on Friday, August 11, women who want to start in a female group can choose between two different start times. In Cykelvasan 90 on Saturday, August 12, they can choose between three different start times.
”The groups will mix with other participants during the journey towards the finish line in Mora but the idea is that, in the first part of the race, you will be in the company of others who cycle at the same pace and thereby feel extra inspiration, motivation, and community,” says Tommy Höglund.
FACTS:
In Cykelvasan 90’s competition class, women and men have had separate start times since 2016. From 2023, participating women can also choose a start group consisting only of women in Cykelvasan Öppet Spår and in Cykelvasan 90’s recreational class.
Start groups that can be chosen by women for Cykelvasan Öppet Spår on Friday, August 11, 2023:
- Start group 6, start time 08:25, estimated finishing time 4.00 hours
- Start group 16, start time 09:15, estimated finishing time 5.30 hours
Start groups that can be chosen by women for Cykelvasan 90 on Saturday, August 12, 2023:
- Start group 18, start time 09:35, estimated finishing time 4.00 hours
- Start group 30, start time 10:35, estimated finishing time 4.55 hours
- Start group 42, start time 11:35
The choice of separate start groups can be made directly when registering for Cykelvasan Öppet Spår or Cykelvasan 90. Participants who have already registered can log in to ”My Pages” and choose a start group there.
Vasaloppet upcoming events
Vasaloppet’s Summer Week 2023 – biking and running
• Friday, August 11 Ungdomscykelvasan start Oxberg, 32 km
• Friday, August 11 Cykelvasan Öppet Spår start Sälen, 94 km
• Friday, August 11 Cykelvasan 45 start Oxberg, 45 km
• Friday, August 11 Cykelvasan 30 start Oxberg, 32 km
• Saturday, August 12 Cykelvasan 90 start Sälen, 94 km
• Friday, August 18 Trailvasan 10 start Mora, 10 km
• Saturday, August 19 Ultravasan 90 start Sälen, 90 km
• Saturday, August 19 Vasastafetten running relay, ten legs, start Sälen, 90 km
• Saturday, August 19 Ultravasan 45 start Oxberg, 45 km
• Saturday, August 19 Trailvasan 30 start Oxberg, 30 km
REGISTER FOR 2023 NOW >
Vasaloppet’s Winter Week 2024 – cross country skiing
• Friday, February 23 Vasaloppet 30 start Oxberg, 30 km
• Saturday, February 24 Tjejvasan start Oxberg, 30 km
• Sunday, February 25 Öppet Spår Sunday start Sälen, 90 km
• Sunday, February 25 Ungdomsvasan start Eldris, 9 km, start Hökberg, 19 km
• Monday, February 26 Öppet Spår Monday 90 freestyle, start Sälen, 90 km
• Monday, February 26 Öppet Spår Monday 45 freestyle, start Evertsberg, 43 km
• Monday, February 26 Öppet Spår Monday 30 freestyle, start Oxberg, 28 km
• Tuesday, February 27 Vasaloppet 45 start Oxberg, 45 km
• Friday, March 1 Stafettvasan ski relay, five sections start Sälen, 90 km
• Friday, March 1 Nattvasan 30 individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Oxberg, 30 km
• Friday, March 1 Nattvasan 45 individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Oxberg, 45 km
• Friday, March 1 Nattvasan 90 individually or two-person teams, freestyle, start Sälen, 90 km
• Saturday, March 2 Vasaloppet 10 freestyle, start Eldris, 9 km
• Sunday, March 3 The 100th Vasaloppet start Sälen, 90 km (FULLY BOOKED)
REGISTER FOR 2024 NOW >
Vasaloppstrippeln – ski, bike and run Vasaloppet in one year
Vasaloppstrippeln, the Vasaloppet trifecta, is a challenge where participants complete three Vasaloppet races during one calendar year. Ski, bike and run 30, 45 or 90 kilometres in forefathers’ tracks.
READ MORE >
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