Do you love cross-country skiing? Do you want to be able to say: “This is the coolest thing I've ever done”? Then you should seize the opportunity to participate in the seventh edition of the historic Nordenskiöldsloppet on March 23, 2024.
Jokkmokk. Freedom. Adventure. 220 tough and fantastic kilometers. An inner journey like no other. In this article you will get a glimpse into what it’s like to participate in one of the toughest and most prestigious cross-country skiing races in the world.
We have interviewed Andreas Nygaard, Ingrid Hellberg and Erik Wickström, who have shared their experiences about the race and offered their best tips for those who want to take part!
Andreas has competed in Nordenskiöldsloppet three times and won each time. Ingrid has participated in all the recent races (six times!). For Erik, the 2024 race will be his second time with the goal of making it into the top 10. All three are registered and looking forward to skiing in the beautiful tracks of the incredibly stunning and untouched wilderness north of the Arctic Circle.
Read on to hear what they have to say about Nordenskiöldsloppet!
When I say Nordenskiöldsloppet, what's the first thing that comes to your mind?
Andreas: Jokkmokk! You start in Jokkmokk and ski up to Kvikkjokk and back, so it's very 'Jokk-y.' I'm truly fascinated by the race and absolutely love being up there. The hospitality, the place, the course, the people - everyone is incredibly enthusiastic and fantastic! I've had many enjoyable experiences up there before, and hopefully, I'll have more of those in the coming year.
Ingrid: The freedom of skiing in such a context! Why not take the chance when it's given? I've been skiing my whole life. It's not often you get to live in an area and ski in such a historic race.
Erik: It's the only really big long race that's an adventure. There are no other big events bigger than the Vasaloppet. If you want to ski long distances, Nordenskiöldsloppet is a must. It's like Vasaloppet, but more than twice as long.
What was the most memorable moment for you during Nordenskiöldsloppet, and why?
Andreas: It's hard to distinguish the years because they were so similar. The first year was tough, but it went well. The next year, I remember it was really tough because my hand hurt so much during the last 60 kilometers, so after that, I thought, "I will never do this again because it hurts too much." Then I signed up again the following year, and that time, I had a really great experience. I have a strong memory of a huge moose running down the lake at the turning point in Kvikkjokk. So that was a cool nature memory. But usually, I just focus on eating chocolate cake and sports drinks and saving as much energy as possible to win. The organizers always support and do an amazing job.
Ingrid: The best part is the reception from the volunteers at each checkpoint - the joy. People cheering in the middle of nowhere. The weather has been tough every year. It's a very beautiful area to ski through.
Erik: The most memorable moment was probably when I was so tired after 130 kilometers. I had eaten and drunk too little, and then I reached a checkpoint. They asked me what I wanted, and I said: "EVERYTHING!" I gobbled down buns, sports drinks, gels, and sports bars. Then I got a lot more energy. It's essential to eat and drink all the time. Much more than you think! No one finishes and thinks, "I had too much energy today." The thing is, the intensity is quite low. When you go for 22 hours, you ski quite slowly. You need to practice eating and drinking a lot - especially eating a lot.
Who can participate in the Nordenskiöldsloppet? What would you say to someone considering taking part?
Andreas: Of course, you have an advantage if you've skied before. There's a lot of space between "I've skied during Easter break" and being a ski pro. As long as you've skied before, I think you can handle it. If you've never been on skis before, I think it will be tough. This is a unique race. It's the longest ski race in this part of the world. It's something truly special. Everything is perfectly set up for the skiers to have an amazing journey all the way, with food, drinks, safety, people around the tracks, and the atmosphere in Jokkmokk town that you should experience. You'll feel really proud of accomplishing this race. You probably won't regret it (at least not once you've finished the race). And you need chocolate cake and sports drinks - then you're ready for the race!
Ingrid: Why not take the chance when it's given? The most important thing is to prepare properly and not leave anything to chance. The race is brutal but also an experience and a journey. It's possible! Try it! Be curious. See the opportunity to ski long distances and do it with other people. This race can also be a way to have a different perspective on life, skiing, how to train, and move. Looking back, I never thought I would do this. Skiing 220 kilometers... Well, why not?! The most important thing is probably to be kind to your body and not take anything for granted. Do your best. As my friend said: just by registering, you've achieved something. Then you've made a choice: this is what I want to do. This makes me feel good. This is something that benefits my life.
Erik: It's a race for anyone who trains. Sure, it requires some effort, but it's not just for the elite. Nordenskiöldsloppet is a little more challenging than Vasaloppet. Whoever you are, you can do Nordenskiöldsloppet within a year if you just train. The maximum time is 30 hours. It's not like a mile race that you can walk through. You need to train for it! You have to do the work beforehand. A good benchmark is to complete Vasaloppet in 9 hours in a regular year. If you do Vasaloppet in 12 hours, I think you'll struggle. In Nordenskiöldsloppet, everyone who finishes is a winner. So even those who had a bad race are quite satisfied with reaching the finish line. It's amazing how that works. You can be so happy just reaching the finish line.
Tips for those participating in Nordenskiöldsloppet for the first time:
Andreas: Make sure your skis are as good as they can be! Get a good stone grind and seek help from someone with glide wax or powder and the right grip wax. Ensure that everything is in order with your skis, equipment, and clothing. Arrive at the race in good physical and mental shape. During the race, you need to drink a lot and eat a lot and follow your plan. Some people don't like to plan too much, and that's okay - do it your way. But make sure your skis and equipment are in order. Once you have that in place, it's up to you. Your mind and body are strong if you just focus.
Ingrid: Have extra clothes and bring your own drinks. Eat and drink properly. See the race as an opportunity to take part in a historic event. It can get very cold in the evening and night so good clothing is essential. I usually change at two stations. You have to adjust to the weather and open or close your clothing accordingly. If it's windy, it's essential to have gear for it because wind takes a lot of energy from you.