160 teams of two from 18 nations tackled the 47.45 km trail running and 5.87 km open-water swimming course at high elevation and in the end a mixed team from Sweden grabbed the ÖTILLÖ SwimRun Engadin in course record time on the absolutely stunning and brutally hard course in Switzerland. Kristin Larsson and Daniel Hansson of Team Addnature and Swedish Armed Forces knocked 14 minutes of the previous best time with their superb 6:14:17 time. The winning Swiss men's team of Igor Nastic and Jean-Marc Cattori finished in 6:30:01, and the Swedish female team of Salli Carlfjord and Charlotte Eriksson earned the women's title in 7:17:54.
Daniel Hansson and Kristin Larsson in full stride on the way to the overall title.
Earlier that day teams scrambled up the very hard first climb with 350 meters of elevation gain.
After the first climb was tackled Daniel Hansson and Kristin Larsson emerged with a nice cushion to start the first swim.
The first swim in Lej Cavloc was very cold at around 50 degrees but very short at only 270 meters.
Swift transitions from running to swimming are key for those teams aiming foe top spots.
The athletes had to tackle two longer very cold swims and the scenery was stunning.
Picture perfect backgrounds were everywhere on this course.
Big winds are great for kite surfing, but not so much for swimming.
Teams were in close contact with nature in more than one way. These group of horses seemed not bothered when athletes carefully squeezed by.
The Swedish mixed team of Martina Ågren and Oskar Davidsson finished in second place and this superb swimming team used neither paddles nor pull buoys.
The German men's team of André Hook and Wolfgang Grohe were in the lead for a long time.
But the Swiss team of Igor Nastic and Jean-Marc Cattori was in hot pursuit.
The Swedish women's team of Salli Carlfjord and Charlotte Eriksson led the race and used an ingenious velcro idea to attach fins.
The team in action in one of the lakes.
Checking the time after another swim.
Athletes shared trails and fire roads with other users and this worked out well. The race organization made it very clear in the briefing that this is important as we are all guests.
Picturesque settings everywhere in this Engadin region.
The happy overall champions Kristin Larsson and Daniel Hansson at the finish.
The female team podium.
ÖTILLÖ SwimRun Engadin 2016 Results
Men
1. Igor Nastic and Jean-Marc Cattori (SUI), Team Ticino Bad Boys, 6:30:01
2. André Hook and Wolfgang Grohe (GER), Team Campz.com, 6:34:23
3. Gilbert Cavedon and Daniel Besse (SUI), Rushteam 2, 6:39:04
Mixed
1. Kristin Larsson and Daniel Hansson (SWE), Team Addnature and Swedish Armed Forces, 6:14:17
2. Martina Ågren and Oskar Davidsson (SWE), Team Carbon, 6:56:01
3. Elfie Arnaud and Tom Ralite (FRA), Team Belove, 6:57:19
Women
1. Salli Carlfjord and Charlotte Eriksson (SWE), Team Öra, 7:17:54
2. Lise Darefeuille and Marion Puech (FRA), Team Les Poulettes, 7:41:28
3. Naomi Shiniks and Patricia Richardson (GBR), Team Tri London Ladies, 7:44:52
