With calmness and confidence, the Swedish Pro Team athlete is now chasing the best result of his life in Vasaloppet after his sensational eighth-place finish in the Grönklitt ITT.

Elias Andersson from Ski Team Göhlins wrapped up the Grönklitt weekend with an eighth-place finish in the Grönklitt ITT. This is Andersson’s best result in Ski Classics since his debut in Vasaloppet 2021. Back then, he finished in 130th place.

In 2022, he took another step forward, finishing 96th. In 2023, he improved further and secured 90th place. In 2024, however, he did not participate. On Sunday, Elias Andersson will start his fourth Vasaloppet.

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

If nothing drastic happens, the Gnosjö native will be ready at the start line tomorrow. With his recent eighth place finish fresh in his memory, the 25-year-old now has significantly higher ambitions.

“Before the season, I said I would be very satisfied with a top-30 finish.”

But aren’t you being a bit modest, considering your latest result in Grönklitt?

“No, but that’s the level I’ve been at throughout the season. Of course, the result in Grönklitt was very good, but Sunday’s race is also several kilometers longer,” says Andersson to Langd.se.

A Lot of Training

“Vasaloppet is the biggest race of the entire season, so of course, I’m excited,” says Andersson.

Since Grönklitt, Andersson has focused on training and preparation for Sunday’s 90-kilometer challenge.

“After Grönklitt, my focus has been entirely on training. I’ve done quite a lot of training over the past two weeks and eased off a bit now toward the end. I hope the form will be there on Sunday,” says a calm and confident Elias Andersson.

“We have also tested skis and completed many good tests ahead of Vasaloppet. We’ll do the final testing today (Saturday), but it feels like we have everything under control,” he concludes.

Ski Classics Season XVI

The Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVI consists of 14 events across 10 event weekends in 6 countries. The season started in Austria, on December 13, 2024, with the Pro Teams Presentation, and will end in Norway with the Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja, on March 30, 2025.

Next up is Vasaloppet on Sunday, March 2, 2025. The 90-kilometer classic race marks the tenth Ski Classics Pro Tour stage and Season XVI’s third Grand Classics event.

Vasaloppet – Ski Classics Pro Tour Event 10

• Date: Sunday, March 2, 2025
• Distance: 90km Classic Technique
• Location: From Sälen to Mora, Sweden
• Start Time: 8:00 CET for Women and Men
• SC Sprints: 2
  • Smågan: 11km
  • Evertsberg: 48km 
• SC Climbs: 1
  • Högsta Punkten: 3km
• Total Ascent: 948m
• Last Edition Winners: Emilie Fleten (4:23:06.7) and Torleif Syrstad (3:52:43.7)
• Website: Vasaloppet
• SC Play: Vasaloppet 

More information about Vasaloppet can be found HERE and HERE

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVI (2024/2025)

• Event 0: Friday, December 13, 2024 –Ski Classics Pro Team Presentation XVI – Bad Gastein, Austria
• Event 1: Saturday, December 14, 2024 – Bad Gastein ITT – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
• Event 2: Sunday, December 15, 2024 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: Saturday, January 11, 2025 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon – Sexten, Italy, 60km
• Event 4: Sunday, January 12, 2025 – La Venosta ITT Kapron-Melago – Val Venosta, Italy, 11km
• Event 5: Saturday, January 18, 2025 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 43km
• Event 6: Sunday, January 26, 2025 – Marcialonga – Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 7: Sunday, February 9, 2025 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 8: Saturday, February 15, 2025 – Grönklitt Criterium 61 – Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 61km
• Event 9: Sunday, February 16, 2025 – Grönklitt ITT – Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 13km
• Event 10: Sunday, March 2, 2025 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 11: Saturday, March 15, 2025 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 12: Saturday, March 22, 2025 – Marcialonga Bodø – Bodø, Norway, 50km
• Event 13: Saturday, March 29, 2025 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 46km
• Event 14: Sunday, March 30, 2025 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour can be found at skiclassics.com