The Mora Vasaloppet is not only a prestigious ski marathon featuring some of the nations top racers, it has a very interesting prize. The race offers a free trip to Sweden to the overall winners to contest next year’s Swedish Vasaloppet (or $1,000).
Over 350 racers lined up for this year’s Mora Vasaloppet with that trip in their sites, but after 58k of racing, it was Matt Liebsch and Kristina Owen who claimed the victories and the rights to that special prize.
Liebsch, skiing for Team CXC Vertical Limit, skied away from a strong field to take the victory in a blazing fast time of 2:16:14. Following him, a minute and 38 seconds later, was Adam Swank of Duluth, MN. Filling out the podium, also from Duluth, was Andre Watt, 4:01 off of Liebsh’s time.
The women’s race was similarly spread out at the finish, with Kristina Owen of Houghton, MI finishing in 2:31:03, a minute 50 ahead of Johanna Winters of the Twin Cities. The only non-midwestern skier to make the podium was Anna McLoon, Harvard graduate, finishing third, 4:03 off Owen’s pace.
