The ÖtillÖ crew added a new race race to their lineup of events and 555 athletes heard the call and accepted the challenge in 3 unique race distances on the West Coast of Sweden. This however is not a completely new venue. The Öloppet Swimrun had been held on that course since 2012 and now seemingly the Öloppet founders are apparently working with the ÖtillÖ folks. Usually the shorter events are held a day before the main World Series race, but in Gothenburg all events were held on the same day. New also is that ÖtillÖ recently allowed individual starters in the main event, previously that was only possible in the shorter races. In Gothenburg however there were only 13 solo starters in the World Series and 124 teams. For comparison there were 21 individuals in the Experience category (26 teams) and 58 solo starters in the Sprint event (88 teams).

In Gothenburg the World Series race had 19 run sections and 18 swim sections on the 37.70km long course. 32.53km totaled up all the running and 5.17km was the total swim distance. The longest swim was 1,000 meters and the longest run just under 7km.

The next shorter race offering of ÖtillÖ is called Sprint and in Gothenburg it meant a 21.3km total distance, and 11 runs and 10 swims.

The shortest distance offered in Gothenburg is called Experience.
For those who had registered that meant a race distance of 8.3km and 6 runs and 5 swims.

Results ÖTILLÖ World Series Gothenburg 2021:

MEN

1. Team HUUB - Adriel Young (AUS) + Oscar Olsson (SWE) 3:39:36
2. Team ARK Swimrun France - Matthieu Poullain (FRA) + Hugo Tormento (FRA) 3:45:43
3. Team ARK Swimrun Oldie & Young gun - Fredrik Axegård (SWE) + Max Andersson (SWE) 3:46:19

MIXED

1. Team Stena Recycling - Ulrika Eriksson (SWE) + Peter Oom (SWE) 3:57:57
2. ARK Swimrun Daniel & Kristin - Kristin Larsson (SWE) + Daniel Hansson (SWE) 4:04:07
3. ARK Swimrun - Marika Wagner(SWE) and Alexander Koller (SWE) 4:09:18

WOMEN

1. Team Envol/ Primal coaching - Anna Hellström (SWE) + Johanna Paulsson (SWE) 4:22:16
2. Johanna & Eugenie - Johanna Edman (SWE) + Eugenie Plane (FRA) 4:29:26
3. Team ARK Addnature - Helen Wikmar (SWE) + Emma Wanberg (SWE) 4:30:45

Some teams tethered and others not arriving back on land after 1 of 18 swims. But most teams seem to be tethering especially when the water conditions are trickier or there is simply more swimming.

Early on in the race with most teams still relatively close together the eventual winning mixed team of Ulrika Eriksson and Peter Oom seems well and ready for the upcoming swim, but at that point many other mixed teams were still hot on their heels.

The male team of Teemu Toivanen and Teemu Lemmettlyä working in full flight to get their their attached. This team from Finland eventually finished in 4:18:58 - 39:22 behind the winning team of Adriel Young and Oscar Olsson.

There was plenty of swimming in Gothenburg, but some sections of this swim seemingly could be walked. But typically walking is not faster than swimming.

Swedes Bernt Spielberger and Henrik Stikberg fighting through the tall grass with a couple solo starters in yellow and a female team in orange not far behind.

Some teams keep the tether in place out of the water too, as seen here with Lorraine Axegård and Helene Dallvin who ended up not finishing the race.

Wet foot steps were spotted all along the course plus the athletes with their bright colored bibs and swim caps easily stuck out.

Joakim Fransson and Andreas Ljungqvist had the bib number 1 in the race, but not because they were the favorites. They were likely the first male team to sign up. The female team of Maria Wallén and Emilia Möller right behind them with bib 305 however finished in 5th place in the female division.

Tobias Hansson raced in the solo division and finished 6th in 5:05:45.

The landscape around Gothenburg has plenty of challenging sections and by now most teams were well spread out. But sometimes teams do work together or at least hang somewhat together.

Back in the water we go and the rule is that you ought to always go in feet first to avoid head injuries. After all it is not always clear how deep the water is.

Despite the tether fully tight a quick stop for some hydration and a word with the supporters along the course. .

Meanwhile up front the battle for the podium was quite fierce.

The male partner is already well up the bank with the tether stretched to the max but the female partner of this mixed team is focused on the next steps. The challenging part of being tethered on land is that the partner ahead might already be on smooth ground while the person behind might still be navigating a tricky section.

Maria Svensson and Sara Hagström on the way to 1oth place in the female division in a time of 5:03:28.

All smiles with the end almost in sight. 15th place for Anna Larsson and Annalena Axelsson.

The winning male team of Adriel Young at Oscar Olsson clearly happy with that result.

The winning mixed team of Ulrika Eriksson and Peter Oom finished 5th overall and shortly after solo division champion Martin Flinta who crushed the solo competition.

The female division champs Anna Hellström and Johanna Paulsson also were thrilled with their win.

All images courtesy and © ÖtillÖ