March 19, 2016 (Norway) – More than 10.000 skiers from all over the world woke up very early today in Norway. Around 5:00am the first busses brought the athletes to the starting-area in Rena, where the 78th Birkebeinerrennet started today morning at 7:45. 25 % of all the skiers were debutants and the women-qoute was 17 %. 1600 starters came from 44 different countries to Lillehammer and skied together with some of the world’s best cross country skiers over 54 km through the mountains from Rena to Lillehammer. The weather was good: sunny, less wind, enough snow.

After 2:27:34 the first skier crossed the finish line, but it was not last year’s winner and big favourite, Petter Eliassen, it was Vasaloppet 2016 winner and second big favourite from Norway, John Kristian Dahl. Long time a huge group with all of the best skiers in it sticked together but the closer to the finish, the more and more lost touch, while a few increased the pace. Only four skiers came to the finish lane head by head to fight for the victory: Sjur Roethe, John Kristian Dhal, Anders Aukland and Petter Eliassen. In the end Dhal was the fastest but not even a second between him and the second, Anders Aukland. Petter Eliassen’s ski crossed the finish only a few centimeters behind Aukland.

Today the ladies where able to ski a major part of the race with a group of male elite skiers. Long time Poland’s super-star, Justyna Kowalczyk, who just came to Europe from the FIS Worldcup stage in Canada, skied in front together with a surprisingly strong Japanese, with Masako Ishida. But in the end it turned out, that Seraina Boner from Switzerland had something against a Polish or Japanese victory at this year’s Birkebeinerrennet and she speeded up. In the end she came home ten seconds in front of Kowalczyk who managed to get rid of Ishida, the thrid on the podium, crowd’s darling and surprise of the day.

Now only one Worldloppet race is remaining. On the 30th of April the Fossavatnsgangan in Island will conclude the Worldloppet season 2015/16, but before that one other highlight is standing on the calendar: The final stage of the FIS Worldloppet Cup in Russia. On the 2nd of April Toni Livers, Benoit Chauvet and Ivan Perrillat Boiteaux will fight for the overall title of the official FIS long distance worldcup.

Results (brief)

Men

1. John Kristian Dahl (NOR) 2:27:34

2. Anders Aukland (NOR) + 0:00:01

3. Petter Eliassen (NOR) + 0:00:01

4. Sjur Roethe (NOR) + 0:00:02

5. Tord Asle Gjerdalen (NOR) + 0:00:20

Women

1. Seraina Boner (SUI) 2:55:04

2. Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) + 0:00:10

3. Masako Ishida (JAP) + 0:00:57

4. Britta Johansson Norgren (SWE) + 0:02:53

5. Katerina Smutna (AUT) + 0:04:53

Find full results here and shortly on our website.