Swimrun ÖTIllÖ HVAR!
The 2018 ÖTILLÖ swimrun season kicked off with a stunning race and a hard fought battle at the 2nd edition ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Series event on the island of Hvar, Croatia. The Mediterranean setting had all the ingredients to make for a spectacular yet very tough swimrun race. The 40,4 kilometres long course was a true test, alternating technical trail running with long, challenging stretches of open-water swimming. THE WINNERS George Bjälkemo & Pontus Lindberg, Team Garmin (SWE), managed to pull away from the leading pack and cross the finish line as the first team after 5:15:41, almost five minutes ahead of Peter Aronsson & Fredrik Axegård, Team Swimshop.se (SWE). The very strong Martin Flinta (SWE) & Helena Karaskova Erbenova (CZE) Team Thule Crew finished as first mixed team and 4th overall with the time of 5:34:07! The first women’s team Fanny Danckwardt & Desirée Andersson (SWE) Team Envol completed an impressive race and finished after 5:53:52 and 13th Overall.
Pictures Pierre Mangez / ÖTIllÖ
The island of Hvar, part of the Croatian Dalmatian islands, is considered one of the 10 most beautiful islands in the world. With its rich cultural and historic heritage, ancient olive trees and vineyards, crystal clear waters, limestone rock and varied terrain, surrounded by the fabulous Pakleni islands.
The 40,4 km race course of ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Hvar was as tough as it gets. The crystal blue sea was a bit colder than usual at 14 degrees and the longest swim crossing of 2 950 metres was a true test for all competitors. The near perfect weather made it easier than expected but still a very big challenge. A big part of the trail running was on technical trails, with a few tough climbs spicing up the challenge. The need to adjust to running in the hot sun (in your wetsuit) and swimming in the relatively cold water temperature, of around 13-15 degrees, added to the test.
125 teams of two from 23 different nations travelled to Hvar to compete in the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Hvar, a qualifier to the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Championship in the Swedish archipelago. The day prior to the race a shorter more accessible race was organised, the ÖTILLÖ Sprint Hvar, offering the same flavours as the longer more challenging race but in a smaller format.This race had 73 teams registered from a total of 19 nations.
Top 3 results ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Hvar, 8 April 2018
Men
1.George Bjälkemo & Pontus Lindberg (SWE) Team Garmin – winner
2.Peter Aronsson & Fredrik Axegård (SWE) TeamSwimshop.se
3. Nicolas Remires & Guillaume Heneman (FRA) Team Envol
Mixed
1. Martin Flinta (SWE) & Helena Karaskova Erbenova (CZE), Thule Crew
2. Stefano Prestinoni & Annika Ericsson (SWE) Team Swimshop.se
3. Helena Sivertsson & Fredrik Granström (SWE) Team Grinderman
Women
1. Fanny Danckwardt & Desirée Andersson (SWE) Team Envol
3. Anneli Wall & Jenny Ramstedt (SWE) Team Envol
ÖTILLÖ SWIMRUN WORLD SERIES 2018
There are five qualifying races to ÖTILLÖ. At each World Series event a sprint race is organised the same weekend.
ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Hvar, Croatia, April 8, 2018
ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Utö, Sweden, May 20, 2018
ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Isles of Scilly, UK, June 10 2018
ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Engadin, Switzerland, July 8, 2018
ÖTILLÖ Swimrun 1000 Lakes, Germany, September 30, 2018 (Qualifier to ÖTILLÖ 2019)
ÖTILLÖ THE SWIMRUN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
13th edition on September 3rd, 2018
75 km over and between 26 islands in the Stockholm Archipelago
Renowned as one of the toughest one-day races in the world
Transamericana avec Rickey Gates
