Who wins Sweden’s largest ultra-race – UltraVasan 2014?

Press release from Vasaloppet

The elite runners have now arrived in Mora and Sälen from all over the world to participate in history’s first UltraVasan, which is, even though a premier year, the largest ultra-race in Sweden – and in addition it has the strongest International starting field.  Below, Race Director Peter Fredricson, informs us how he thinks the race will develop and which racers will battle for the victory.

Since 1000 participants have registered for the 90 kilometer race and 565 have registered for the 45 kilometer race, despite it being it’s opening year, UltraVasan is the largest ultra-race in Sweden (races that are longer than the marathon distance of 42 195 meters).

Ultra-runners from the whole world are arriving to the beautiful VasaloppsArena and its surroundings. The British top favorite in the ladies class Holly Rush (@rushbynature) tweeted on Thursday morning: “just ran last 5k out & back of @vasaloppet it is beautiful. not sure how i am going to concentrate racing with those views?”

It is an internationally strong starting field, but these runners will feel the strong resistance from a powerful Swedish team, in men’s as well as in the ladies’ class.

How will the race develop after the start in the break of dawn at 5.00am? Race Director Peter Fredricson shares:
– The course has great variety, some distances can be run very fast, and other distances are very technical. This causes the race to vary considerably, depending on the runners strengths. I predict that we will see racers “coming and going”. That means they will fall behind but then return. Therefore, we might see a lot of “cat and mouse” games between the runners, they will put pressure on each other.

– There are spurt prizes in both Mångsbodarna and Evertsberg. Like the Vasaloppet in the winter, some runners will start out fast to win the spurt prizes.  These runners will have great positioning until Evertsberg but later they will fall behind…

Who wins then?
– Most likely it will be very exciting, a battle! Regarding the men’s class, I believe we will see five to seven runners in the lead at Evertsberg. When they are reaching Oxberg, I presume three runners in the lead and from Hökberg until finish maybe just one or two runners battling for the victory. I believe the standoff will be between Steve Way and Jonas Buud. I think it will be a tough fight for them. Steve Way runs a marathon in 2.15 hours, while Jonas Buud doesn’t quite have that speed. Jonas has to utilize his strength and run fast at the technical distances. If these two runners are still side by side in Oxberg, than the battle might be very hard for Jonas.

Which lady will receive the wreath from kransmasen?
– Holly Rush is the top favorite in the ladies’ class. If she is having a normal day, then I believe nobody can beat her. She might even be top ten including the male runners. She is very very talented. Holly chose not to run the Comrades this year, but she got great results in other competitions. So, we might only get a battle for second or third in the ladies’ class.

– Our Swede Sophia Sundberg has been practicing in the VasaloppsArena and she can definitely battle for a second place amongst the ladies.

10 interesting names to keep your eyes on, according to Peter Fredricson:
(Name, Nation, Startnumber, Merits)

UltraVasan 90, Men’s class

Jonas Buud, SWE, 1001 – has won the legendary race Swiss Alpine Marathon eight consecutive years (2007-2014) and has a second place in the world’s most prestigious ultra-trail race, the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) in Chamonix. Second and fourth place in Comrades (the largest ultra-race in the world), South Africa. He also holds the Swedish 100 km record with a time of 6.28.59 and is the most merited Swedish ultra-runner of all time.

Steven Way, GBR, 1013 – Britain’s master and record holder, winner of the Stockholm Ultra 2013 over 100 kilometer with the time of 6.19.20.

Thomas Lorblanchet, FRA, 1002 – Multiple winner of Templiers and winner of the Leadville 100 miles. World Champion in Ultra Trail 2011.

John Henry Strupstad, NOR, 1004 – Norwegian champion. Has represented the national team in the World Cup distance 100 km, 2010-2013 and also holds the course record in the ultra-race Rallarvegslopet 2013. Won Stockholm Ultra 50 km 2014.

UltraVasan 90, Ladies’ class

Holly Rush, GBR, 2001 – European Championship silver medalist in the marathon (team) and 7th in the South African Comrades 2013. Personal best on the marathon distance (2.37.35).

Francesca Canepa, ITA, 2003 – winner of Wibram Hong-Kong 100km 2014, two time winner of Tor des Geants 330 km, second place in UTMB 2012 and winner of Lavaredo Ultra Trail 2012.

Frida Södermark – SWE, 2004 – SM Silver 100 km 2013, SM Gold 100 km 2014, Swedish record holder 12h run. 8th in Comrades 2014.

Sophia Sundberg, SWE, 2006 – 12th in Comrades 2014, 1st in Kiel Maraton 2014 (2.53.16), 5th individually and team silver in EM 100km in France (7.53.21).

UltraVasan 45, Men’s class

Roman Ryapolov, RUS, 3359 – Competing for IFK Mora, ran the last leg of the Tiomila 100km relay race in 2014 when Mora came in forth.

UltraVasan 45, Ladies’ class

Gloria Vindstedt, SWE, 4197 – registered late for UltraVasan, currently holds the second fastest time on 100 km on road. Fourth in World Championships 100 km 2010.

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Footnote:
Adam Campbell, Canada, has withdrawn from the race, as well has Helen Cospolich, USA. Helen (@helenultrarun) will attend the UltraVasan but not race due to a stress fracture. She twitters: “In opportunity lies adventure. Headed to Sweden for @UltraVasan 90k. Since I’m not racing because of injury, I hope to enjoy the experience.”

Facts Guide Sommar 2014 (Swedish only)
The Facts Guide Sommar 2014 provides you with all the information and statistics regarding our events. We offer a digital version on www.vasaloppet.se/faktaguide, or pick up a hard copy at the reception desk at Vasaloppets Hus, Mora.

Start and results lists.
Start and results lists are listed on http://media.vasaloppet.se/2014/?lang=EN
Username: vasa
Password: media

Read about how to best follow UltraVasan and VasaStafetten:
http://www.vasaloppet.se/wps/wcm/connect/en/vasaloppet/start/news/recent/news_follow_ultravasan_and+vasastafetten_140821

Coming arrangements in Vasalopps Arena:

Vasaloppets summer week 2014:
Sat 23 Aug: UltraVasan 45. 45 km. Running race. Start Oxberg
Sat 23 Aug: UltraVasan 90. 90 km. Running race. Start Sälen. (1,000 entries. FULL 22/09/2013)
Sat 23 Aug: VasaStafetten. 4,5–15,1 km. Running relay race for 10 person teams. Start Sälen.

Vasaloppets winter week 2015 (cross country skiing):
Fri 27 Feb: KortVasan. 30 km. Start Oxberg.
Sat 28 Feb: TjejVasan. 30 km. Start Oxberg.
Sun 1 Mar: UngdomsVasan. 3, 5, 7 or 9 km. Start Mora Ski Stadium.
Sun 1 Mar: Öppet Spår Sunday. 90 km. Start Sälen. (10,000 entries. FULL 21/05/2014)
Mon 2 Mar: Öppet Spår Monday. 90 km. Start Sälen.
Tue 3 Mar: HalvVasan. 45 km. Start Oxberg.
Fri 6 Mar: StafettVasan. 24, 24, 14, 9 and 19 km. Start Sälen. (8,000 entries. FULL 16/03/2014)
Sun 8 Mar: Vasaloppet. 90 km. Start Sälen. (15,800 entries. FULL 16/03/2014)

High resolution photos from Vasaloppet are here:
www.mynewsdesk.com/se/pressroom/vasaloppet/image/list

Or find photos below in this e-mail: "Relaterat material. Bilder (Photos)."

Text and photos may be freely published.

For further information

Ola Granfeldt, PR Manager
Tel: +46 (0)250-392 77
Mobile: +46 (0)733-550 620
E-mail: ola.granfeldt@vasaloppet.se

More about Vasaloppet?
www.vasaloppet.se
Press room: mynewsdesk.com/se/pressroom/vasaloppet
Facebook: facebook.com/vasaloppetofficial
Instagram: @vasaloppet
Twitter: @vasaloppet

Vasaloppet is the world’s biggest organiser of recreational races, all year round. Vasaloppets winter week with its cross country skiing and the summer week with mountainbike cycling and running attracted during 2013 a total of over 88,000 registered participants. Since the beginning in 1922 over one million participants have passed under the classic finish portal in Mora. Vasaloppet is a non-profit making organisation owned by IFK Mora and Sälens IF. An engine for public health and organisational activities, in the footsteps our forefathers for the victories of tomorrow!