Mora, March 2, 2026 – The Europe Today: Swedish skier Oskar Kardin claimed victory in the men’s race at the prestigious Vasaloppet, crossing the finish line in 4:14:45.5.
“It feels unreal. It’s great fun. I’ve been training for this for a long time. You get moved,” Kardin told Swedish broadcaster SVT after the race.
Ski Trouble Early in the Race
Kardin’s victory came despite a dramatic equipment issue less than a third into the 90-kilometer race. During the live broadcast, the 34-year-old was seen signaling to his team, Lager 157 Ski Team, that something was wrong with his ski.
“I got a pole right through the ski. I saw the pole sticking straight through it and felt it breaking. I thought, ‘I need new skis.’ I didn’t know if I would get a replacement, so I tried to manage as best I could,” Kardin explained.
After some time, Petter Myhlback, father of fellow competitor Alvar Myhlback, ran along the track and handed Kardin a replacement left ski — reportedly Alvar’s spare pair. Kardin moved to the outer track and changed skis mid-race before rejoining the lead group.
“I was told by Petter that he had Alvar’s second pair as a spare. I thought it would be better than the broken one I had,” Kardin said.
Team 157 Dominates Podium
Alvar Myhlback finished second, just four seconds behind Kardin, while Nils Dahlsten secured third place after a sprint duel with the 19-year-old Myhlback.
Remarkably, the top five finishers in the men’s race were all riders from Team 157, marking the fourth consecutive Vasaloppet victory for the squad.
“It was crazy when I won last year, but to get a triple with the team is incredible. I’m so happy for Nils and Oskar,” Myhlback said, adding that although he had the strength to win, sharing the podium with teammates made the result special.
A Personal Milestone Year
For Kardin, the Vasaloppet title may be one of the highlights of an already life-changing year. In January, he became a father for the first time.
“Now I can end my career and be satisfied; it’s fantastic,” he said.
Team 157’s continued dominance in Sweden’s most iconic long-distance ski race has further cemented its place at the top of the sport.
“You have to pinch yourself, it’s unbelievable,” Myhlback said. “That’s absolutely crazy.”
