The bookstore from Lysekil came last in the Vasaloppet

The stories from the Vasaloppet are many, and this year too, the 9 km journey from Berga By in Sälen to Mora offered surprises, at least for Hasse Ekbrand, 78, who never had a similar finish, which Bohusläningen was the first to report on .

- There were moments when I didn't think I would do it, imagine yourself just being out in the cold for over 12 hours. When I went there in the dark the last bit, everything actually felt hopeless, but then all of a sudden the crane hill and the wreath appeared and I didn't think it was true. What are they doing here? I thought.

Hasse Ekbrand says that he only had 12 miles in his body before he entered the competition track, something he thinks is far too little. Usually, he usually has traveled at least 50 miles in his preparations, but because of the windy and snowy winter, it became difficult for Hasse to prepare as usual.

- It rained and blew all the damn autumn and winter, so there was no good recharge period. I am active in my everyday life, going out with the dog and working every day, but that is not enough. I hope for better weather next year.

So you're going to go again next year?

- Yes, my dream is to become the first hundred-year-old to run a Vasalopp! he says.

How did it feel to go to goal?

- This was my 33rd race, and definitely the toughest I have ever completed. In the end it was dark, and around me was a whole escort of skiers, snowmobiles, and I have some problems with the prostate, so the last bit I went as a folding knife, and it is not easy to speak! So the finish was wonderful, says Hasse Ekbrand.

Hasse was thus out in the competition track for over twelve hours, and he says that the finish in his 33rd Vasalopp, despite the placement, was the best so far.

- It is obviously a thing to cheer up the people who come last in the race, so when I arrived it was full of people cheering on me and screaming and whistling, it was a wonderful feeling but I did not know myself if I lived or was somewhere in heaven, he says.

He says that the difference is now big compared to the first year in Vasaloppet, when Hans Ekbrand went on wooden skis that were covered with candles.

- It was 1971, I had gotten the old wooden skis from my dad who had had them in his military service. Then the legs were pretty fresh the days after the race, now they are the limping strings of a guitar. But it gets better every day and I feel to some extent as an improved person after passing another race, he says.