For many Swedish recreational skiers, Craft Ski Marathon is the kick-off for the race season. The event takes place this Sunday, January 9.

The Visma Ski Classics Challengers event in Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, is a 42km classic race, in two laps of 21km each, and it is one of Sweden’s leading long-distance ski events. 

The course is optimal for all types of cross-country skiers as there are no really long climbs or challenging downhill sections. The total climb on a single lap is 190 meters, and the elevation difference is 55 meters.

The snow conditions are excellent, and more than 800 skiers are expected to Grönklitt this Sunday, a new record for the event. This is the ninth year the race has been held, and all skiers can experience the same arena where Visma Ski Classics Pro Tour had its Weekend Premiere three weeks ago. 

The Event Attracts Both Recreational and Pro Tour skiers On The Starting Line 

On the women’s side, several Visma Ski Classics Pro skiers are registered, as well as the youth star Märta Rosenberg, from Duved, who has won the Swedish Junior Championships.

You can find several experienced long-distance cross-country skiers among the men, such as Konrad Mattsson Myhr, Pontus Nordström, and Team Lager 157 Youth Team.

Craft Ski Marathon program, start lists, live results, and final standings can be followed here when available. 

Participants of the 42km classic event on Sunday collect points for their SC Ranking, as seen on MyPages.

A full list of Visma Ski Classics Challengers events with confirmed dates for the season 2021/22 can be found here.