He has raced at the Olympics and World Championships, and on Sunday, he makes his Vasaloppet debut. Now, Håvard Solås Taugbøl feels that same championship buzz and is going straight for victory.

The Norwegian sprint star gave up his national team position last spring in favor of long-distance racing. In December, he made his Ski Classics debut. Two weeks ago, he claimed his first long-distance victory. And on Sunday, he is chasing the laurel wreath in Mora.

“I’ve been dreaming about Vasaloppet constantly for a couple of months,” says Håvard Solås Taugbøl ahead of his debut in what may be the most prestigious ski race in the world.

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It was at the end of March last year, after the World Cup final in Lahti, that Taugbøl stepped away from the national team. After 12 years on the World Cup circuit, the veteran was ready for something different. He hasn’t looked back since.

“I’ve watched Vasaloppet and Ski Classics on TV for many years and been fascinated by it. Now it’s my turn to give it a try,” says Taugbøl.

On Sunday, Vasaloppet awaits.

Taugbøl says he approaches the challenge with a mix of excitement and nerves, but he barely hides his eagerness to get started.

Feeling the championship atmosphere

The 32-year-old from Lillehammer has competed in three World Championships and one Olympic Games. Ahead of Vasaloppet, he feels many of the same emotions.

“Vasaloppet is important and very big. I feel lucky to have raced in the Olympics and several World Championships. I have many of the same feelings now before Vasaloppet as I did ahead of major championships. I’m nervous, and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” says Taugbøl.

Will you win Vasaloppet on Sunday?

“I hope so. And I’ve trained for it.”

To win Vasaloppet, Taugbøl will have to beat Alvar Myhlback. The Swedish star is the big favorite. Last year, he won in a mass sprint right to the finish line in Mora. Several Ski Classics veterans say they have no idea how to beat him. Taugbøl remains calm.

In his long-distance debut, the 90-kilometer Klarälvsloppet, often called the summer version of Vasaloppet, Taugbøl finished second, just one second behind reigning Vasaloppet champion Alvar Myhlback.

“I had a good feeling at Klarälvsloppet in September and fought with Alvar all the way to the line. He was just a bit stronger than me there, but I’ve put in a lot of training and raced many competitions since then, so I hope I’m a bit better now,” says Taugbøl, adding:

“The weather forecast also looks promising for me, so I hope I have some energy left when we reach the finish stretch in Mora.”

What do you think about your teammate Stina Nilsson winning Vasaloppet on her first attempt, in her first season as a long-distance skier?

“Stina is the queen. It’s an honor to be on the same team as her. She’s incredibly strong, and I’m not surprised that she won Vasaloppet on her first try. It’s motivating for me, of course, but the women’s race is completely different from the men’s. So, I’ll probably have to approach my race a bit differently.”

Also Read: All you need to know ahead of Vasaloppet Season XVII

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII (2025/2026)

Season XVII of the Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 13 events across 9 event weekends in 6 countries. 

• Event 1: December 13, 2025 – Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
• Event 2: December 14, 2025 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: January 17, 2026 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 47km
• Event 4: January 25, 2026 – Marcialonga – Moena-Cavalese, Italy, 70km
• Event 5: January 30, 2026 – Bedřichov Sprint – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 1.5km
• Event 6: February 1, 2026 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 7: March 1, 2026 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 8: March 7, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Women – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 9: March 8, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Men – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: March 14, 2026 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 11: March 21, 2026 – Marcialonga Bodø – Bodø, Norway, 50km
• Event 12: March 28, 2026 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 35km
• Event 13: March 29, 2026 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km

For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, make sure to visit skiclassics.com