Warm beverages were welcomed by the athletes and spectators alike.

183 teams had registered for the inaugural ÖTILLÖ 1000 Lakes but 150 teams from 21 nations actually showed up at the start and were served a magnificent background.

Early on the field was still pretty tight together but that typically changes fast.

With another swim almost over it was time to get out of the cozy 50 degree water and be welcomed by the 40 degree air degree.

Through the woods and towards the next swim.

Neither the spectators nor the athletes moved very fast here.

Swedes Per Widemar and Marcus Söderström were among 49 teams who did not finish.

The terrain was varying and interesting to navigate.

Another swim with a beautiful background.

A seemingly even balanced team glides through the cold water in harmony.

No hunter in sight, but folks running in wetsuits with bright numbered bibs were everywhere.

Orazio Spoto and Niccolò Gozzi from Italy finished 98th overall in 8:14:37.

Swede Fredrik Ljungström and Suisse Eliane Jung may look like they are headed for a beautiful shelter but the team finished 24th in the mixed division in 7:28:14.

All we can say here is WOW.

Bibben Nordblom and Charlotta Nilsson from Sweden are super seasoned but were unable to finish this event.

The Finnish mixed team of Jasmina Glad-Schreven and Thomas Schreven were up front all day and on the way to second overall. Notice also the flotation devices under the "compression socks."

The French female squad Isabelle Hallifax and Lise Viterbo finished 5th in the women's race, but were also the last official team to finish.

Pontus Lindberg and George Bjälkemo from Sweden came to Germany and conquered the course and the tough conditions in 4:42:02.

Jasmina Glad-Schreven and Thomas Schreven looked completely spent when they crossed the line first in mixed and second overall.

Diane Sadick of Switzerland and Fanny Danckwardt-Lillieström of Sweden were the female champions of ÖTILLÖ 1000 Lakes.