The annual KBC cross-country skiing relay at Umeå University drew 20 teams and around 80 participants last week. Teams navigated sticky snow and fresh flurries in a blend of competition and community spirit. SLU's "Motionärerna" claimed victory in the main race, while creative costumes earned UPSC's team the top show award.
The KBC Stafetten 2026 event took place during the last week of February on the Umeå University campus, marking a cherished late-winter tradition that combines sport and camaraderie. Organized as a cross-country skiing relay, it featured 20 four-member teams, including three "battleship" quartets racing on a single pair of long skis with four bindings. Approximately 80 skiers participated, from experienced enthusiasts to newcomers trying the sport for the first time.
Conditions included sticky snow on the tracks and fresh snow blowing into faces, yet participants maintained high spirits. As the saying goes, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing”—a sentiment echoed by the teams' use of reliable gear and humorous costumes.
In the standard relay, SLU's "Motionärerna" recorded the fastest time of 15:52 to win first place. "BrutAhlgrens" finished second, just ten seconds behind, with favorites "Snökanonerna" taking third.
The "battleship" race over a 1 km course highlighted teamwork, with the Department of Physics' "Incoherent skiers" securing victory. IceLab's Ski Terror and Mighty Ducks claimed second and third places, respectively.
UPSC's "Out for season, in for gold"—comprising Sam Cook, Markéta Buderová, Sarah Mermet, and Sonja Viljamaa—did not podium but won the "Best Team in Show" prize, supported by the Umeå University Innovation Office, for their sports-themed outfits and enthusiastic approach.
The event fosters community across campus departments, with organizers anticipating continued growth for KBC Stafetten 2027. Full results are available online, and a video captures highlights of the day's joy.
