Plan B is about the exercisers being offered to ride the Vasaloppet, or the race that you signed up for during Vasaloppet week, at home.

The concept was implemented during Vasaloppet's summer week with cycling and running.

- We see this as an alternative in the winter, but we have not given it a name, says Vasaloppet's CEO, Johan Eriksson.

- We did an evaluation of this summer's Hemmavasa and discovered that it was inspiring for several participants.

But there were also many who missed getting from Sälen to Mora at the classic arena.

It was beautiful to hear for us.

"Has always existed as an alternative"

It was in early November that the Vasaloppet management presented Vasaåket, as an opportunity for exercisers to run their races during Vasaloppet Week, in parallel with the elite races in Tjejvasan and Vasaloppet.

The paper was praised by state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell:

"I think they have found very innovative ways to reduce congestion and there will be no mass starts," Tegnell told SVT.

Since then, the spread of infection has gained further momentum and now Vasaloppet is working more concretely with plan B than before.

- It has always existed as an alternative, but now we work with this alternative in more detail, even though Vasaåket is our main alternative, says Eriksson.

Decision in January

The Vasaloppet works in parallel with both alternatives until mid-January.

Then the organizers must decide.

- As it looks now in society, we believe in Vasaåket.

We do not think that people are already blowing off the thought of going to the Vasaloppet facility.

We also want to see a winter with people on snow, but if there is a deteriorating development with the pandemic and no one is allowed to travel, then we must take this further, says Johan Eriksson.

He emphasizes that the elite race Tjejvasan and the elite race in the Vasaloppet are prepared as planned:

- But should there be a complete lockdown and curfew in society - yes, then we end up in a different situation.

The Vasaloppet line will now follow mountain tourism in the coming weeks.

- Much of what happens in the mountain world during Christmas and New Year is reminiscent of our concept for Vasaåket.

If you can manage to sparse people and the spread of infection does not pick up speed, it is good for the Vasaloppet, says Johan Eriksson.