This year’s edition of the Nordenskiöldsloppet once again lived up to its reputation as one of the most demanding cross-country ski races in the World.

Covering 220 kilometers through the remote landscapes around Jokkmokk, the race delivered high drama, challenging conditions, and memorable performances at the front of both the men’s and women’s fields.

The Nordenskiöldsloppet is not just another long-distance race. It is the longest ski race in the world, inspired by a historic expedition completed in 1884. Revived in modern form in 2016, it has quickly become a bucket-list event for endurance skiers, combining deep historical roots with the challenge of racing through Arctic wilderness. The race is also part of the Ski Classics Challengers series, giving elite athletes the opportunity to earn international ranking points.

Read More: Sedláček and Grohová winners at Nordenskiöldsloppet 2026

This year’s race began under slow and demanding conditions. Snowfall during the night leading into race day left the tracks soft and heavy, making the early kilometers particularly energy-consuming. Skiers were forced to adapt their pacing from the very beginning, knowing that any wasted effort could prove costly over such an extreme distance. Although conditions improved slightly later in the race, the early snowfall had already shaped the competition.

The men’s race developed into an exceptionally tight and tactical battle that came down to the final meters. Václav Sedláček took victory in 12:15:25.3, edging Johan Lövgren by just 0.1 seconds after more than twelve hours of racing. Thomas Bing finished third, 26.9 seconds behind, but his result tells only part of the story. In a dramatic moment just before the finish, Bing fell while still in contention for victory, losing his chance to fight for the win in what had been one of the toughest and closest contests in the race’s history.

In the women’s race, Karolína Grohová delivered a strong and controlled performance to take victory in 13:16:23.8. She managed the difficult early conditions better than her rivals and maintained her lead to the finish. Malin Börjesjö secured second place, finishing 7 minutes and 7.7 seconds behind, while Sofia Lindberg completed the podium in third place.

Among the Finnish skiers, Valtteri Härkönen finished in an impressive 6th place, while Teemu Virtanen placed 21st and Mika Johansson 39th. All three delivered solid races in extremely demanding conditions, highlighting both endurance and resilience over the 220-kilometer course.

Nordenskiöldsloppet continues to stand apart in the world of cross-country skiing. Its combination of historic legacy, extreme distance, and Arctic setting makes it a unique challenge even for the most experienced athletes. The 2026 edition will be remembered for its slow, snow-affected beginning, the intense battle in the men’s race, and the dramatic fall that ultimately decided the fight for victory.

Also Read: Nordenskiöldsloppet 2026: The ultimate test of endurance returns to Swedish Lapland

As the Nordenskiöldsloppet 220km race is a Ski Classics Challengers event, Pro Team registered athletes could collect points for the Ski Classics Champion and Youth competitions in their respective genders. 

Complete results of the event can be found here and here, and a list of Ski Classics Challengers events with confirmed dates is available on Ski Classics. The list is updated continuously with new events.  

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