Historic Wins at Vasaloppet 2025: Alvar Myhlback and Stina Nilsson Triumph

Sporting history was made today in the Vasaloppet Arena as 18-year-old Alvar Myhlback of Lager 157 Ski Team became the youngest-ever Vasaloppet champion after a dramatic sprint finish. Meanwhile, Olympic and World Champion Stina Nilsson, competing in her first Vasaloppet, dominated the women’s race, securing an impressive solo victory for Team Ragde Charge.

Both champions hail from Dalarna, with Myhlback from Bjursås and Nilsson from Malung, making it a truly local triumph. They were awarded their winner’s wreaths by Kranskulla Maja Heikki (Sälens IF) and Kransmas Arvid Jerkgård (IFK Mora) in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

Challenging Conditions and a Competitive Start

The race began at 08:00 in Berga by, Sälen, under overcast skies and a temperature of 1.5°C. A total of 15,800 participants had registered, with an elite group of 298 competitors, including 74 women, at the front.

Before the start, two-time winner Andreas Nygaard summed up the competitive field:
"There are many who could win and even more who want to."

Men’s Race: Alvar Myhlback Becomes Youngest Vasaloppet Champion

The men’s race saw an intense battle right from the start. Alvar Myhlback was the first to reach the highest point of the course at 3 km, setting the tone for what would be an historic race.

Throughout the competition, sprint specialists claimed key prizes:

• Vebjörn Moen took the first sprint prize at Smågan (11 km) and later secured the Evertsberg Hill Prize.

• Kasper Stadaas won at Mångsbodarna (24 km), while Johan Tjelle took Oxberg (62 km).

• As the race progressed, a strong lead group formed, including past champions Nygaard, Persson, and Syrstad, along with rising stars.

The decisive moment came in the final two kilometers. Runar Skaug Mathisen increased the pace for Lager 157 Ski Team, setting up Emil Persson for the sprint. But Alvar Myhlback had other plans. Taking the outer lane, he surged past Persson to claim victory by one second with a time of 3:28:45—the second-fastest Vasaloppet ever!

A Record-Breaking Young Champion

At just 18 years and 345 days old, Myhlback shattered a century-old record, becoming the youngest winner in Vasaloppet history. The previous youngest champion was Ernst Alm, the very first Vasaloppet winner in 1922 at 22 years old.

A thrilled Myhlback told SVT after the race:
"I have never felt better in my entire life. This is absolutely unreal. I could die happy now – I can’t believe it."

Men’s Top 10 Results

1. Alvar Myhlback (SWE) – Lager 157 Ski Team – 3:28:45

2. Emil Persson (SWE) – Lager 157 Ski Team – 3:28:46

3. Max Novak (SWE) – Team Aker Daehlie – 3:28:47

4. Johan Tjelle (NOR) – Team Engcon – 3:28:48

5. Axel Jutterström (SWE) – Team Eksjöhus – 3:28:49

Women’s Race: Stina Nilsson’s Commanding Victory

Making her Vasaloppet debut, Stina Nilsson wasted no time asserting her dominance. She reached the highest point just 0.4 seconds behind Anikken Gjerde Alnaes but quickly took the lead, gaining a 10-second advantage by Smågan (11 km).

By Mångsbodarna (24 km), Nilsson had extended her lead to 1 minute 20 seconds, and at the Evertsberg Hill Prize (47 km), she was closing in on the course record with a 3.5-minute lead.

Despite fatigue setting in after Hökberg (71 km), Nilsson maintained a relentless pace, ultimately crossing the finish line in 3:54:00—the third-fastest women’s time in Vasaloppet history. She finished a full five minutes ahead of runner-up Anikken Gjerde Alnaes.

Nilsson Reflects on Her First Vasaloppet Win

Speaking to SVT, she described the race as both exhausting and exhilarating:
"This feels absolutely crazy. It was a battle from Hökberg! On the last stretch, my arms were so tired. I’m so happy, I had fantastic skis and a great lead-up. I’m so glad to win Vasaloppet."

Women’s Top 10 Results

1. Stina Nilsson (SWE) – Team Ragde Charge – 3:54:00

2. Anikken Gjerde Alnaes (NOR) – Team Engcon – 3:59:11

3. Silje Öyre Slind (NOR) – Team Aker Daehlie – 3:59:11

4. Emilie Fleten (NOR) – Team Ramudden – 4:05:43

5. Louise Lindström (SWE) – Team Eksjöhus – 4:05:44

Key Takeaways from Vasaloppet 2025

🔥 Alvar Myhlback makes history as the youngest-ever winner at 18 years old.
🔥 Stina Nilsson dominates in her first Vasaloppet, winning by five minutes.
🔥 Sweden sweeps the men’s podium for the first time since 2001.
🔥 Lager 157 Ski Team shines, with Myhlback and Persson securing 1st and 2nd.
🔥 One of the fastest races in history, with Myhlback’s time just 27 seconds off the record.

With such thrilling performances, Vasaloppet 2025 will be remembered as a race of historic firsts and unforgettable moments. 🎿🏆