VASALOPPET

Vasaloppet is a long distance cross-country ski race (ski marathon) in the world held in Dalarna, Sweden, annually on the first Sunday of March. It is the oldest, the longest, and the biggest cross-country ski race in the world, which is held over a distance of 90 kilometres between the village of Sälen and town of Mora, being inspired by the run that the future King Gustav Vasa had made in 1520.

In 1520 the young nobleman Gustav Ericsson Vasa was escaping from the troops of Christian II, king of Sweden and the countries of the Kalmar Union. A large part of the Swedish nobility was in opposition to the king, even having nicknamed him Christian the Tyrant. In a move to silence the opposition Christian invited the Swedish aristocracy to a reconciliation party in Stockholm, only to have them, including Gustav's parents, massacred in what came to be known as the Stockholm Bloodbath.

Gustav was escaping through Dalecarlia, fearing for his life and discovery by the kings troops, when he spoke to the assembled men of Mora, trying to convince them to raise a levy and start a rebellion against king Christian. The men were not convinced and by ski, Gustav Vasa started to make his way towards Norway, to find refuge there, when he was caught up at Sälen, by two ski runners. The men in Mora had changed their minds after getting confirmation on the Stockholm events, and wanted Gustav to lead the rebellion. On June 6, 1523 Gustav Vasa was crowned king of Sweden, having beaten the Danish king Christian and dissolved the Kalmar Union. Sweden has been fully independent ever since.