Torleif Syrstad made it all the way to the top in the 100th edition of the Vasaloppet, but right in front of him things almost went completely wrong.
Sunday 3 March at 13:49
Just before the finish line, protesters tried to enter the course and guards had to throw them to the ground to prevent them from sabotaging Syrstad, who was on his way to a crushing victory.
Fortunately, the guards along the trail managed to prevent what could have become a scandal.
- Watch video of the event in the video window at the top!
– They should stay away from sporting events. I don’t think they achieve anything by screwing it up for skiers who love snow and have skied almost nine miles, says former winner of Vasaloppet, Anders Aukland, to NRK.
EMOTIONAL: Torleif Syrstad was clearly moved after finishing. Photo: DANIEL ERIKSSON / BILDBYRÅN
Syrstad is the ninth Norwegian in history to win the prestigious race. On the last pass he led by well over two minutes.
– There are so many factors you have to hit on, and he has hit the mark on everything, boasted NRK expert Carl Fredrik Hagen.
Petter Northug, who has had the Vasaloppet as one of his big goals for the season, was number 18 with a time of 04:01.35.
– It was tough and brutal, and not the result I was hoping for. Despite that, I am quite satisfied, says Petter Northug to NRK.
– I would have liked to have a little better pole attachment and other things, but the form is good and I’m actually happy with the top 20, says the 38-year-old.
– BRUTAL: Petter Northug finished more than eight minutes behind the winner in Vasaloppet. Photo: Ulf Palm/TT / NTB
Syrstad came third in the 2020 edition of the race.
– There is a lot of energy in each and every pole vault. He is without a doubt the best skier at the start today, continued expert and professional cyclist Hagen.
Behind Syrstad followed Johan Hoel in second place, while the Swedish comet Alvar Myhlback (17) took 3rd place.
In the women’s class, Emilie Fleten is on her way to a superb victory.
– It is a very, very high level above what Emilie has delivered here today. Totally raw. A very deserved victory, boasted NRK expert Simen Østensen.
Already in the first strenuous uphill, the quartet of Torleif Syrstad, Johan Hoel, Alvar Myhlback and Thomas Ødegaarden broke away from the rest of the field.
– It doesn’t look like they are interested in slowing anything down here. It is interesting, said NRK’s expert commentator Simen Østensen.
By the time they passed 24.3 kilometers in Mångsbodarna, the four were in close quarters, a minute and a half ahead of the chasing Johan Tjelle. With just over 26 kilometers to go, Syrstad pulled away from his breaking buddies.