NEWS The annual KBC cross-country skiing relay took place last week, bringing together 20 four-member teams—including three impressive “battleship” quartets racing on a single pair of long skis equipped with four bindings. The event has grown into a winter celebration that blends sport, creativity, and community spirit, drawing colleagues from across campus to ski, cheer, and enjoy the snowy season together.
See video from the event at the end of the article.
KBC Stafetten has become one of the most joyful late‑winter traditions on campus, traditionally held during the last week of February in the hope of catching the snow before it begins to melt. This year, around 80 skiers took to the tracks, ranging from keen ski enthusiasts to international colleagues rediscovering skis for the first time since childhood—or even trying cross-country skiing for the very first time. And, of course, the top racers who flew across the course with impressive speed.
“Battleship” teams getting ready for the race.
ImageAnna ShevtsovaAs the saying goes, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing”—and our teams certainly proved it. With reliable ski gear, creative costumes, and plenty of good humour, participants embraced everything from sticky snow on the tracks to fresh snow hitting them head‑on. While the conditions slowed the pace, they did nothing to dampen the spirits along the trail.
The team from SLU, “Motionärerna”, delivered the fastest time of 15:52 and claimed first place. “BrutAhlgrens” followed just ten seconds behind to secure second place, while long-standing favourites “Snökanonerna” finished in third.
Team “Incoherent skiers” crossing the finish line of the 1 km “battleship” course.
Image Anna ShevtsovaThe “Slagskepp”, or “battleship” race (four skiers on one pair of skis) delivered its own memorable moments. The quartet “Incoherent skiers” from the Department of Physics captured a decisive victory, while IceLab’s teams, Ski Terror and Mighty Ducks, took second and third place, respectively. All three teams showed that in this race, teamwork is the only way forward—literally.
The UPSC team, “Out for season, in for gold”, may not have taken home the gold medal, but they certainly won the hearts of spectators with their sports-themed costumes and fearless approach to the Swedish winter. They were awarded the main prize, “Best Team in Show”, supported by the Umeå University Innovation Office.
The spirited “Out for season, in for gold” team - Sam Cook, Markéta Buderová, Sarah Mermet, Sonja Viljamaa - collecting their “Best Team in Show” award.
ImageAnna ShevtsovaWe look forward to the continued tradition at KBC Stafetten 2027 and hope to see many familiar and new faces there!
Learn more about KBC Stafetten 2026.
Check results: https://www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=422632
Watch the video below to relive some highlights from KBC Stafetten 2026!
