In 1884, the polar researcher Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld announced a ski race, Jokkmokk – Kvikkjokk round trip, in a distance of 220km. The winner was Pavva “Pau-Lasse” Nilsson Tuorda, finishing in 21 hours and 22 minutes.

In 2016, the first version of the modern Nordenskiöldsloppet was held, and the race has been run every year since. But next winter there will be no competition. According to a press release, the reason is that the race’s founder Wolfgang Mehl decided to leave the role of the main organizer:

“The decision was made for personal reasons and a desire to move home to Austria to spend more time with family and grandchildren. The work of forming a new organization that can ensure the future and development of the race has begun. To give that process the best possible conditions, Red Bull Nordenskiöldsloppet will take a break next year. The goal is to come back again in 2024 with a new team that is ready to arrange an even better race,” says the organizers on their website.