The roller ski season in Scandinavia is in full swing, with several Finnish athletes showing strong performances. After Lauri Vuorinen and Emil Liekari impressed in Norway, Team Edux’s Lauri Mannila delivered an excellent performance in Trollhättan last weekend.

Team Eksjöhus’ Kati Roivas also returned to the podium there. Now the focus shifts to Sweden’s Värnamorullen this weekend, where Mannila is aiming for another step forward.

Mannila has put in solid summer training, and his current form appears promising ahead of the upcoming Ski Classics season. His results in Trollhättan underline that preparation: he placed fifth in the 48km Alliansloppet and improved to fourth in Sunday’s 15km interval start. With Värnamorullen next, podium ambitions are already within reach.

“Training has been hard all summer, and these roller ski races give a good indication of where we stand,” Mannila told Maastohiihto.com.

“Double poling feels good, and I’ve had time to practice it well during the summer. It has always been a strength of mine. Of course, the demands are different when double-poling for such long distances, but it has been close to my heart even before this.”

Mannila, a new addition to Team Edux, has already raced a few Ski Classics events with the team last winter. For the coming season, he plans to take on the entire Pro Tour.

“It was easy to join this group. We have good spirits and train hard together. In Ski Classics, I already know in spring which races are coming in the winter so that I can prepare properly. That motivates me in a completely different way than sprint skiing, which I used to do. Another big difference is that in Ski Classics every race is also good training that builds form throughout the season, even if you’re not at your very best in that particular competition,” he said.

Pro Team Director Olli Tyrväinen is also pleased with the team’s progress over the summer.

“The training season has gone according to plan, and we have built a solid foundation for the winter. The team spirit has been great, and the athletes are motivated. Right now, we are looking forward to the season with confidence,” Tyrväinen explained.

Värnamorullen 2025

The Ski Classics Challengers event Värnamorullen is a 40-kilometer long-distance roller ski race in classic technique this weekend in Värnamo, Sweden.

On Saturday, September 6, Värnamorullen will take place for the ninth time in Värnamo, in the middle of Southern Sweden, and for the fourth time as a Ski Classics Challengers event.

The organizers invite professional and recreational skiers, as well as youngsters, to an event featuring a beautiful course along scenic landscapes and a good road surface. The roller ski course features a slightly hilly lap course that is suitable for all levels of athletes, without requiring challenging downhill skiing. The main race, part of the Ski Classics Challengers, is 40 km in distance, while shorter distances are also offered.

Also Read: Myhlback and Larsson winners of Värnamorullen 2024

During the race, participants can enjoy the typical “Småländsk” nature, featuring meadows and small villages along the way. A hearty meal, including drinks, coffee, and cake, will be served to everyone who wishes to do so at the event area, allowing participants to enjoy good food and socialize with fellow skiing enthusiasts.

More information about the event can be found HERE

Swedish Championships Status

In June, the Swedish Ski Association announced that this year’s edition of Värnamorullen has been awarded Swedish Championship (SM) status, elevating the event’s prestige and likely attracting an even stronger field of elite skiers.

You can find a preliminary start list for the roller ski race HERE

Read More: Challengers Värnamorullen granted Swedish Championship status

Best moments of Värnamorullen 2024

Video Credits: Helena Axelsson/Värnamorullen

Värnamorullen – Facts

• Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
• Location: Värnamo
• Country: Sweden
• Race Distance: 40km
• Technique: Roller Ski Classic
• Website:  Värnamorullen
• Registration: Värnamorullen  
• Instagram: Värnamorullen  
• Facebook: Värnamorullen 

As the Värnamorullen 40km race is a Ski Classics Challengers event, Pro Team registered athletes can collect points for the Ski Classics Champion and Youth competitions in their respective genders. 

A list of Ski Classics Challengers events with confirmed dates for the season 2025/2026 can be found at Ski Classics. The list is updated continuously with new events.

Everyone participating in Ski Classics, Pro Tour or Challengers events, and professional and recreational skiers can connect their profile to the results database of Ski Classics called MyPages.

MyPages can be connected for free. In the profile, you can view your Ski Classics event results, collect pins, print diplomas, and analyze your results with friends in the SC ranking system. In your profile, you collect points according to your performance and are rewarded with pins and diplomas.

One of the central features of MyPages is that you get your global SC ranking. The SC Ranking is a live updated international ranking, unique in combining women and men, professional and recreational skiers in one single list.

As a member of ProXCskiing.com, you get full access to all content on the site. Also, live streaming of Ski Classics events with English commentaries is available.

When you become part of one of the World’s leading XC ski communities, you will receive many exclusive offers all year round.

Are you interested in Ski Classics and long-distance skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.

As a member of ProXCskiing.com, you get full access to all content on the site. Also, live streaming of Ski Classics events with English commentaries is available.

When you become part of one of the world’s leading XC ski communities, you will receive numerous exclusive offers throughout the year. 

REGISTER HERE AS A MEMBER