Ski Classics is the leading world cup for long distance running.

Every year, about eleven competitions are decided and the most famous of the sub-competitions is the Vasaloppet, a classic SVT broadcast for over 50 years.

On the women's side, Sweden has a couple of the world's foremost long-distance skiers in Britta Johansson Norgren, who has won the overall cup no less than five times, and two-time Vasaloppet winner Lina Korsgren.

On the men's side, Norway dominates, but Sweden has several exciting young names underway, not least Emil Persson who won two races last season and Max Novak who unexpectedly won this year's Swedish premiere at 15 kilometers before William Poromaa.

- Cross-country skiing has developed into an exciting mix of tradition and innovation.

Many strong skiers choose those competitions and it is really fun that from next season they will take place in the Winter Studio, says SVT's commentator Jacob Hård.

Norwegian giant Marit Björgen is also making an investment in long distance running, but at present it is uncertain when she will make her debut because she did not register herself for the international anti-doping program in time.

"Huge interest in the Winter Studio"

SVT's sports director Åsa Edlund Jönsson is very happy to have now secured the right to the long-distance cup.

- We are currently experiencing an enormous interest in the Winter Studio and winter sports on SVT.

It is quite obvious that the Swedish people want to gather around Swedish successes and disconnect from a trying everyday life for a few hours.

Ski Classics will contribute to a strong Winter Studio also over the next five years, she says.

Some of the most famous competitions in the long distance cup are the Vasaloppet, Italian Marcialonga and Norwegian Birkebeinerrennet.

This season, the Årefjäll race is also included in the series.

SVT's agreement with Ski Classics covers the seasons 2021 / 22–2025 / 26.