Boston Vasalopp with record snow

The annual Boston event drew a record number of participants this year - and record amounts of snow.

Vasaloppet's youngest racers take off on the shortest course. Photo: Greg Rash
Weston Ski Track, outside Boston, was the location for the annual Boston Vasalopp hosted by SWEA Boston, Svenska Skolan and SACC New England on Sunday, February 9. The races saw a record number of participants —and a snow record for Boston: More snow has fallen in Boston so far this February (at press time, six winter storms in three weeks dropped 58.5 inches of snow) than in any other month in the city's history.
Many non-Swedes competed and volumes of the traditional blueberry soup along with hot dogs, coffee and semlor (Lenten buns) were consumed.
The winner in the men’s division was Andy Milne; and the women’s division winner was Clare Egan, who finished only three minutes behind the top male competitor. This year’s kranskulla was Ginga Sewerin-Olsson, vice consul at the Swedish Consulate in Boston, who crowned the winners with the traditional wreaths.
Vasaloppet — the kids are off. Photo: Greg Rash
Everyone a winner
There were prizes or diplomas for everyone. The clubhouse at the Boston suburb’s cross-country ski center was packed for the awards ceremonies after the races. Gold sponsors for the event were Boston Volvo, IKEA and SAS. Winners received $250 gift certificates (no Volvos this year). Second prizes were Orrefors crystal bowls donated by SAS plus $50 gift certificates from Crown Bakery in Worcester, Massachusettes, and third place skiers received gift certificates from Fast Splits. Explorica donated semlor (from Crown Bakery), and the children’s division winners received ski hats from Craft and fleeces from Excel.
Anna Sporrong and Linda Smedhäll are ready with blueberry soup along the trail.
Here more on the historic ski race in Sweden, on March 8: http://www.vasaloppet.se
Winner in the men’s division was Andy Milne, here with Ginga Sewerin-Olsson and Linda Smedhäll.