CROSS COUNTRY SKI. How far can you ski for 24 hours? Erik Wickström from Sweden has today, 1st April broken a new world record in long-distance skiing classical style with the final result of 438,575 km during 24 hours. The previous world record was held by Teemu Virtanen from Finland with a distance of 433 km. Teemu was aiming to beat his old record, but his body said stop after 21 hours. Competing for the new world record was also Denis Kabanen from Russia who was on course for 16 hours and 15 minutes before he had to stop. Erik Wickström was the only one making it through the full 24 hours and in the end he beat the old world record with over 5 km!

"It was very exciting to test the limits of my body and it was a huge challenge both physically and mentally, but I will probably never do it again. For the last three hours when I was on the course alone it was extremely challenging and it felt like being in a tunnel where you are only be able to look forwards", says Erik Wickström, who now is the current record holder.

The world record attempt started at 07.20 on Thursday, 31st March and finished at 07.20 on Friday 1st April. It took place in Vålådalen and over 1064,5 laps on a 412 m loop, made by only double pooling!

Event facts

Date: 31st March until 1st April, 2016
Time: 24 hours 07.20 - 07.20
Competitors: Teemu Virtanen FIN, Erik Wickström SWE and Denis Kabanen RUS
New world record: 438575 (438,575 km)
Technique: Classical
Place: Vålådalen, Sweden

For more information, photos and videos contact:
Alexandra Rydberg, Media Manager at +46 709 853931
and see Visma Ski Classics

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