Daniel Tynell is one of the kings of Vasaloppet. The skier from Grycksbo – who never became a great traditional cross-country skier – had everything needed to fight at the top in this competition.

“I grew up in Dalarna with Gunde, Wassberg, Mogren & co as role models. So, you just had to become a skier. But I never became a real top skier,” says Daniel to Langd.se.

And I can personally remember when I worked at Dala-Demokraten and wrote about Daniel’s Vasaloppet result. The headline was: “103rd in the Swedish Championships, 3rd at Vasaloppet.”

“Yes, I remember that,” says Daniel Tynell, who, in that race in 2001, realized that this was what he should focus on.

“In 2002, we were a group from Falun/Borlänge who raced as a team. I was with Fredrik Östberg and Magnus Jonsson and was just supposed to go up and take a lead. Then, I suddenly got a gap at Trångåsen.

“I pushed on and caught up with Stanislav Rezac, who was leading and pulled away. From behind, Jørgen Aukland was closing in. But at Moraparken, I made a final push, and he didn’t get any closer.”

The Only Sprint Victory at Vasaloppet

The second victory in 2006 was the only time he won a sprint in the finish stretch in Mora.

“We were four skiers together: Jerry Ahrlin, Anders Aukland, and Stanislav Rezac. Jerry was so damn strong that day that I would have been happy if he had won. But I was the best in the finish stretch.”

Then followed a few years when Jörgen Brink took over the throne. Daniel was second twice after him, a total of three times.

The Superb Race in 2009

But in 2009 came the race he likes the most.

“It had been a few troublesome years, and everything hadn’t worked out. But now I decided to seriously go for a third victory. Got a mental coach in Rune Gustafsson and training help from Christer Skog. We prepared meticulously and were thorough with everything from diet to training.”

“I was in brutal shape. It felt like I didn’t get tired, and I felt that no one could outrun me. After Eldris, I made a break, and the last 5 kilometers I was alone.”

That was the victory Daniel Tynell values the most.

The Heart Problems Became Dramatic

In 2015, Daniel Tynell prepared to take a fourth victory in Vasaloppet.

“I had skied Kortvasan but felt bad afterward. Had a drop in blood pressure, and it turned out there was a tear in a blood vessel in the heart. Luckily, it happened two hours after finishing and not out on the course.”

It became a big deal. The favorite got heart problems just days before the race.

“I ended up in the hospital and got a stent implanted in my heart. But the doctors said I couldn’t handle any maximum strain. Thus, it was an abrupt end to my career.”

Today, Daniel has no heart problems, but he admits that he thinks about it sometimes.

Rides Motocross Today

Today, he is not as involved in cross-country skiing, although he gives lectures and works with the World Classic Tour, the summer series for long-distance races on roller skis.

The “Grycksbo Express” has long lived in Borlänge and has been married to his Sara (Fyhr), who was active in IK Jarl in Rättvik for 20 years. The couple has two sons who are now 19 and 13 years old.

“They at least won’t become cross-country skiers. They’re not interested at all,” says Daniel, who instead takes the boys to the motocross track.

“I’ve always been interested in motocross, and I’ve ridden the Gotland Grand National. I still ride at least once a week now.”

In his career, he also won the König Ludwig Lauf in Germany twice, and he was 3rd in Marcialonga. But Vasaloppet was the race for Daniel Tynell!

DANIEL TYNELL

• Born/Age: January 6, 1976 – 48 years old
• Lives: Borlänge
• Profession: Self-employed
• Family: Wife Sara, 2 boys: 19 and 13 years old
• Clubs as Skier: Grycksbo IF, Falu IK, Svenska Skidspelen/Falun Borlänge SK, Grycksbo IF, Team Tynell
• Ended Career: 2015
• Best Memory from Career: Vasaloppet victory in 2009. It was my best race with the best preparations. Everything fell into place.
• What I Miss from My Active Career: The euphoria just after finishing. The minute when you stand there at the finish. After 3 minutes, that feeling goes away.
• How I Follow Sports Today: A lot on TV, still work with World Classic Tour in the summer and also worked with Nordenskiöldsloppet before the pandemic. But it becomes less and less that I visit competitions.
• My Hobbies Today: Motocross, ride at least once a week. Have ridden Gotland Grand National, and my boys are also interested.

Daniel Tynell’s Merits

• Won Vasaloppet in 2002, 2006, and 2009. Was second at Vasaloppet 3 times
• Won König Ludwig Lauf twice
• 3rd in Marcialonga
• Started and managed Team Tynell in Ski Classics for several years