300 racers representing a total of 19 nationalities took part in the 2020 ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Cannes, a far cry from the 2019 race entry numbers. With masked wave starts and various other precautions most folks who started were from France, but a few teams had managed to travel to coastal Southern France from a bit further. In the 2019 event 630 racers representing 32 nations showed up at this stunning venue, and it was expected that with so many positive word of mouth recommendations and all these beautiful images that the numbers would grow well in 2020, but many other dreams and expectations have been crushed since February of this year by that COVID-19 virus presence.

The day prior athletes who were not yet ready to tackle 35.5 km of running and 8.5 km of swimming, could get their feet wet in the shorter Sprint (16.1km) and Experience (7.3 km) events. Both of these events could be raced either as a team or solo. But the big World Series event on Sunday had be done as a team of two, and the pics featured here are from the main event on Sunday via the fine eye and lens of Pierre Mangez.

The starts were indeed broken up to avoid having too many athletes close to each other, but despite the smaller numbers masks were still mandated early on while there was close contact.

The popular movie town Cannes made again for an astonishing background, and gave the athletes plenty to see and tough challenges to experience.

Up front in the men's race Nicolas Remires (FRA) and Francesc de Lanuza (ESP) of Team Envol battled hard for the title but in the end had to settle for third place.

Swedes Alexander Berggren and Max Andersson of Team Salming slowly moved up from 6th place to 2nd place overall and managed to grab that runner-up spot at the end and thus prevented a French team podium sweep.

Paddles and tether in place and pushing through the water.

The French team of Renaud Cadiere and Christel Robin on the way to third place in the mixed division.

A helping hand is always appreciated and part of this sport. Even among competing teams. Swedes Alexander Koller and Marika Wagner are very experienced among those lines but had to settle for 4th place in Cannes.

The top two female teams were battling all day and the front running Swedes Marie Anderzen and Annika Westin of Team Strömgren powered by Wato ended up taking the win in the end.

Through the town did not mean it was easy. There were plenty of stairs and steps to conquer.

Emily Comyn and Marine Beaury of Team Envol on the way to 4th place in the female category.

You have to be kidding me, that rabbit hole is for us? Are we in Alice in Wonderland?

But then again there was so much beautiful water to swim through.

In case folks forgot where they were, they got to run past the Cannes sign during the race.

The French race leaders Hugo Tormento and Matthieu Poullain of Team ARK Swimrun grabbing disposable cups on the way to the title. Usually teams have to bring their own collapsible cups, but to prevent folks from touching everything disposable cups have come back to the sport.

Through some pretty tricky terrain on the way to the next swim.

Those teams who expected a fully urban adventure in Cannes likely got a bit of a surprise.

The teammate who swims in second position usually just follows the feet of the partner, but sometimes it is helpful if 2 pairs of eyes do the sighting.

The very happy champions Marie Anderzen and Annika Westin

The men's podium and everyone back in masks.

Images 1-17 © Pierre Mangez / ÖtillÖ
Images 18-19 © Jean Marie / ÖtillÖ

Results ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Cannes
October 18th, 2020

Male Teams

1. Hugo Tormento (FRA) and Matthieu Poullain (FRA) Team ARK Swimrun 4:43:09
2. Alexander Berggren (SWE) and Max Andersson (SWE) Team Salming 4:48:51
3. Nicolas Remires (FRA) and Francesc de Lanuza (ESP) Team Envol 4:53:02

Mixed Teams

1. Guillaume Henneman (FRA) and Desirée Andersson (SWE) Team Envol/ Gravelines Tri 4:55:16
2. Alexis Charrier (FRA) and Sabina Rapelli (SUI) Team Envol/ VIGOR Ligornetto 5:16:13
3. Christel Robin (FRA) and Renaud Cadiere (FRA) Christel Robin Body & Mind 5:20:30

Female Teams

1. Marie Anderzen (SWE) and Annika Westin (SWE) Team Strömgren pwrd by Wato 6:06:09
2. Jenny Ramstedt (SWE) and Josefine Jangvert (SWE) Team Head Swimming/ Primalcoaching 6:07:19
3. Stine Möllebro (DEN) and Therese Österaas (NOR) Team Marks 6:27:04