On January 4, 2026, Vasaloppet China 2026 officially kicked off in the Jingyuetan National Scenic Area, Changchun City, Jilin Province.
As the global opening event of the Worldloppet International Ski Federation for the 2025-2026 new snow season, this year’s Vasaloppet China brings together over 2,227 professional athletes and general skiers from 33 countries and regions, including 306 foreign skiers, to jointly launch an international event that combines passionate competition and dreamy ice and snow.
No three-in-a-row for Fabian Stocek in Vasaloppet China today, the 24th edition of the classic style XC Ski race in Changchun, China. The Czech skier got surprisingly beaten in a tight and exciting sprint finish against the Italian Mattia Armellini, who overtook him in the last 20 metres! The duo had outgunned the rest of a large field of competitors in the later part of the 50km race. What a debut for Armellini in this race, finishing in a fast time of 2h08’02” as well. There was more joy for the Italian team as Lorenzo Busin claimed third spot on the main podium, in another duo sprint against first Chinese skier Fu Yu a minute behind the race winner. A De Li Han Ma De Li was fifth, ahead `another domestic athlete. Lu Rong. Christian Winker was first German just ahead of another Italian, Christian Lorenzi, and Petr Kolaja from Czechia.
A perfect Chinese podium in the women’s race today. Chen Lingshuang already put pressure and distance on her rivals on the first of two laps around Jingyuetan Park and she managed to retain her advantage until the finish. Her first win in Changchun in 2h20’08”. In second place came Jin Ran, about 1’45” later. Li Lei, already on the podium last year, repeated that performance with third place in 2h24’35”. Last year’s race winner, Sweden’s Maiin Borjesjo had to be satisfied with fourth place in 2h26’32”, which was only a minute slower than her winning time last year. Impressive, given that the colder conditions slowed down the average skier by over a minute compared to a year ago. Li Jie was fifth for China. Tereza Hujerova was first Czech in 8th place, followed by the first two Norwegians: Aud Oyen Malos and Martine Engen.
Next year, Vasaloppet China will celebrate a quarter of a century: 25 years of cross country skiing in Changchun!
