05 March 2006 - 22:00 Vasaloppet 90 km / 45 km ski marathon Tynell and Bjorgen wins world's oldest cross-country marathon

NORDIC NEWS. MORA, Sweden -– Daniel Tynell outkicked fellow Swede Jerry Ahrlin on the final straightaway Sunday for a two-second victory in the cross-country Vasaloppet, the world's oldest, longest and biggest ski race.

15,000 participants leave the start in Berga By, Sweden, for the 90-kilometer classic-style Vasaloppet FIS World Cup cross country ski race to Mora Sunday March 5, 2006. (AP photo/Scanpix/Ulf Palm)

Tynell finished the 90-kilometer classic-style event in 4 hours, 34 minutes, 9 seconds. It was Tynell's second victory in the event. He won also in 2002 and last year was among the leaders but fell with a kilometer left.

Sweden's Daniel Tynell, center, of Grycksbo crosses the finish line as the winner of the 90-km Salen-Mora FIS World cup Vasaloppet 2006 cross country ski event Sunday March 5, 2006 in Mora, Sweden. Behind is second placed Jerry Ahrlin, behind, of Sweden and third placed Anders Aukland, left, of Norway. (AP Photo/Ulf Palm)

“This was nice revenge after what happened last year,” Tynell said. “Winning in 2002 was the biggest thrill in my life and to win this Swedish classic again ... it's hard to describe my feelings.”

Anders Aukland of Norway finished third and Stanislav Rezac of the Czech Republic was fourth.

More than 15,000 skiers started the 82nd edition of the race at Salen, near the Norwegian border. For many, it would take more than 10 hours to finish the grueling race. When Vasaloppet was held for the first time in 1922, all but two of the 119 starters finished.

Some 15,000 skiers leave the start in Berga, Sweden for the 90 km Vasaloppet FIS World Cup cross country ski race to Mora Sunday March 5, 2006. (AP Photo/Ulf Palm)

The course is based on an event from nearly 500 years ago. In 1522, Gustav Vasa attempted to gather peasants for a revolt against the occupying Danes. Vasa fled when he got no support.

The people of Mora changed their minds and sent their two best skiers to bring Vasa back. They found him near the Norwegian border in Salen. He returned to lead the Swedes to independence and later was proclaimed King Gustav Vasa. The Vasaloppet follows the same course from Salen to Mora.

ASSOCIATED PRESS
8:57 a.m. March 5, 2006

Bjorgen wins Vasaloppet 45K ski race

MORA, Sweden (AP) -- Marit Bjorgen took control early and led Norway to a 1-2 finish Saturday in the women's 45-kilometer Vasaloppet cross-country ski race.

Bjorgen, coming off a disappointing Winter Olympics, finished in 2 hours, 17 minutes, 52 seconds in the classic-style event.

Hilde G. Pedersen, a 41-year-old veteran, was runner-up. Petra Majdic of Slovenia finished third.

Bjorgen's 25th career victory on the World Cup circuit moved her closer to a second straight overall title.

The 90K men's race -- the world's oldest, longest and biggest cross-country ski marathon -- will be held Sunday.

The men's course is based on an historic incident from nearly 500 years ago. In 1522, Gustav Vasa attempted to gather peasants for a revolt against the occupying Danes. Vasa fled when he got no support.

The people of Mora changed their minds and sent their two best skiers to bring Vasa back. They found him near the Norwegian border in Salen. He returned to lead the Swedes to independence, and was later proclaimed King Gustav Vasa.

The Vasaloppet follows the same course from Salen to Mora.

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Posted: Saturday March 4, 2006