Olympic Champion Stina Nilsson Dominates Vasaloppet: "This Feels Crazy"

Olympic champion Stina Nilsson dominated the legendary Vasaloppet ski race, finishing more than five minutes ahead of her nearest competitor, Norway's Anikken Gjerde Alnæs. After announcing her retirement from biathlon in April, Nilsson has now redirected her focus to long-distance cross-country skiing, and her victory at Vasaloppet highlights her swift and successful transition back to the sport.

In her post-race interview, Nilsson remarked, "This feels crazy. It was a fierce battle out there," showcasing her excitement at not just returning to competitive skiing but excelling at such a high level.

Her win at the 90-kilometer race marks a remarkable comeback, particularly after her sprint gold medal victory at the 2018 Winter Olympics and her subsequent success in team relay events. The best Finnish performer was Heli Heiskanen, who placed 20th, finishing over 28 minutes behind Nilsson.

In the men's race, Alvar Myhlback made history by becoming the youngest winner of Vasaloppet at just 18 years old, with Miro Karppanen finishing as the top Finnish male in 26th place.