Norwegian Torleif Syrstad was superior and left the field early, but just before the finish line it could all have gone wrong for the Norwegian.
The TV images showed that protesters had entered the course at the Aukland Bridge just before the race.
The guards had to physically throw the demonstrators to the ground to prevent the performers from being attacked.
It resulted in a real basketball attack just before Syrstad passed them.
Climate action
A press release published on Sunday morning suggests that it was the climate activists in Extinction Rebellion who were behind it:
“In connection with the finish in the Vasaloppet today, activists from Extinction Rebellion are appearing at various places in Mora. With a visual presentation, they will urge Vasaloppet’s organizer to terminate Preem as the main sponsor”.
The petroleum company Preem has been one of the sponsors of the traditional race for several years.
Despite the complications, Syrstad was very pleased after the finish.
– It is too good to be true. It was an early break and I felt good. In the past I have felt that I have been too defensive, so today I had to follow every bump. I’m going to celebrate with the team for a few hours, and then it’s work at 8 tomorrow morning. Then it’s the first meeting, Syrstad told NRK after the race.
Alongside the investment, Syrstad has had a 100 per cent job on the side for the past year.
– It has been long days and a little too little sleep. I have been angry and annoyed that I have been in this situation. I wanted to bet 100 percent, but now it turned out as it did. There will probably be other issues next year, Syrstad continued.
Tough conditions
Climate activists were not the only thing that caused trouble for Petter Northug and the other participants during the race.
The day before the start of the race, large amounts of water had accumulated in the starting area, and new snow had to be laid on Saturday evening.
Several of the athletes covered their shoes in plastic bags to prevent the pools of water from affecting their run.
The former all-round king Petter Northug started in the Vasaloppet on Sunday. The Trønder had the prestigious race from Sälen to Mora as the big highlight of the season, and the 38-year-old did not join the tight quartet early in the race. Northug eventually finished in 18th place, eight minutes and 51 seconds behind Syrstad.
– It will be hard and brutal, but we are well prepared. We have high expectations. I think I’m in better shape than I was earlier this winter, and then it can be fun, said the skiing king from Trønder to NRK before the start of the race.