Third Annual VASA bike race sponsored by House of Sweden

Posted by Susanna at 10:42 PM, Mar 5, 2009 (Comments)

Category: Events

THE THIRD ANNUAL VASA bike race was held in a cold and dreary Washington on the morning of the first Sunday in March. About 200-300 bicyclists participated in this year's event, which was dedicated to the memory of the embassy's former press counselor, Anders J. Ericson, who tragically passed away during last year's event. The race, which started and finished at House of Sweden on 29th Street on the Potomac River in Georgetown. Participants had a choice of three race lengths: the Short Vasa which was 14 miles, the Half Vasa, which was 28 miles and the Long Vasa was 56 miles. After completing the race, the bikers were treated to Ekström's famous Swedish blueberry soup.

THE RACE in Washington is based on the traditional Swedish Vasa ski race, which is held the first Sunday in March in Dalecarlia, Sweden. The Vasa Ski Race is the world's largest, oldest and longest ski race. It attracts more than 15,000 people every year, and this year it celebrated its 85th anniversary. The origin of the ski race is when the future Swedish king Gustav V made a daring escape from his adversaries in 1521 by skiing away from them cross country.

Klaus Hirtes and James Losey participated in the Third Annual Vasa bike race.

  Jonathan Krall

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