This winter’s 100th edition of Vasaloppet was also the first since the fluor ban was introduced. Here, Sports Director Tommy Höglund talks about the number of tests, the ‘mistake’ made among those who tested ‘red,’ and the plans for testing in the coming years.

It has been underway for several years. Last autumn, a final decision was made regarding a fluor ban in all competitions sanctioned by the FIS (International Ski Federation) and IBU (International Biathlon Union). And the fluor ban applied to all races during Vasaloppet Winter Week 2024:

“We chose to have an ‘open house,’ so all our participants could test their skis in connection with picking up their bib in Mora and Sälen. We did not note the results in those tests, but more ‘These skis are green, good luck in the race, or These are red, you need to clean better.’ These test occasions were relatively well attended,” says Tommy Höglund to Langd.se, Sports Director at the Vasaloppet Organization.

Random tests were conducted at all events during Vasaloppet week, and then the elite skiers’ skis were tested in connection with Tjejvasan and Vasaloppet.

“On Sunday’s Vasaloppet, all skiers in the elite group (about 300 men and 50 women) had a ‘personal starting track.’ Then, we set up signs for all skiers’ starting positions in the morning. The starting corral opened at 6:30 for the elite skiers, and by 7:30, they had to be in place with their skis. Then, we picked up the skis for testing, conducted the test, and returned the skis to the same place. At the start in Sälen, 147 tests were conducted where all elite skiers’ skis were ‘green.’ About ten skiers’ skis were over the limit in the recreational class. Then we took care of the skis; the amateurs were lent a pair of skis and got their own back after finishing,” says Höglund.

When the testing was completed at the start, all six pieces of test equipment were transported to the finish in Mora.

There, another 150 pairs of skis were tested:

“We tested the top 15 after finishing and, in addition, random tests throughout the day,” says Höglund.

Is there a common denominator among those who tested ‘red’? 

“Many times, it was because they have been careless with cleaning or used contaminated brushes at the ‘cleaning moment.’ And above all, it has been amateurs from central Europe who have not really understood the importance of using clean brushes.”

Will your setup look similar next year? 

“We had help from Lars Karlöf (former development manager at Swix) in our testing operations, and he assessed that we will have tests roughly the same way for the next three to four years. Then, we will probably reduce the time spent on the opportunity to test their skis in advance. The opportunity will still exist, but maybe slightly shorter’ opening hours,’ says Höglund.