Sälen to Mora, Sweden
My Blueberry Soup Plan for the Vasaloppet
Skiers in Sweden's 90 km Vasaloppet are served warm blueberry soup along the way. I made a plan. It was mostly soup.
Fresh snow fell overnight before the 102nd Vasaloppet, the 90 km ski race from Sälen to Mora, making it one of the slowest races in years. The women’s winner took her third title. Along the course, skiers are handed cups of blueberry soup. I made a plan.
My Plan
The start, in Sälen. A light breakfast: two bowls of blueberry soup, to warm up the engine.
The first station. One cup of soup. Thank the volunteers. Tell them it’s for science.
The second station. Two cups. The science is going well.
The third station. Three cups. Too full to ski. Lie down in the snow and make a snow angel, for the photos.
Mora. The finish line. Arrive by bus, holding a cup of soup, waving.
What Happened
I followed the plan exactly, all the way to the second station. By then I’d had two bowls and three cups of soup, and my skis had gone on without me.
It turns out skiing on soup is much harder than it sounds. I took the bus from there, which was warm, and had a window.
The winners crossed the finish line in Mora in just over four hours, after 90 kilometres of deep, fresh snow. I crossed it just after them, from the bus, still holding my soup.
We both arrived in just over four hours. In my book, that makes us very similar athletes, apart from the skiing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why blueberry soup?
It's warm, full of energy and easy on the stomach, and the race has served it to skiers since 1958. I'd like it served on my couch too.
How far is 90 kilometres?
About 56 miles, on skis, in the snow. I've decided it's a bus route.