Standing on a small, rocky island it’s no exaggeration to say I’m getting absolutely battered. Strong winds are whipping around me, rain is bouncing off my face and I’m conscious that even with the heavy layers of kit I’m wearing I’m still freezing cold.
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Looking back down at the swim beneath me, I can see athletes struggling against the winds and waves. The swim is only 300m, but the currents are jack-knifing their bodies as they fight to make it to shore and even then, the rain is making the rocks so slippery that hauling themselves out of the water is a challenge.
Luckily for me though, I’m watching the action of the main World Championship race as part of the reporting team for the ÖtillÖ Live webcast. In fact my race over the same part of the course had been two days earlier, in the Final 15 event, when we were lucky enough to have calm weather, a touch of sunshine and no strong winds. I’m reminded, as ever, how much at the mercy of nature you are in these races. The course couldn’t look more different today.
One of the beautiful sheltered forest run sections at ÖtillÖ Final 15. Image: Jakob Edholm
Short and Technical
The Final 15 forms part of the ÖtillÖ Sprint series and allows swimrunners to pit themselves against a slightly-modified version of the final section of the legendary world championship course. In total you tackle 9 swims and 10 runs and although 15km might seem like a short distance, this is deceptive as the technical trail running across rocks, the 18 transitions and the strong currents in some of the swims make it much tougher than you’d imagine.
This is my second time racing Final 15 (read the 2016 report) and this year I’m in a women’s team with Tiffany Lindström. We’ve been paired up by the organisers and I’m already feeling very lucky, as Tiffany lives and works on Utö so does all her training on the course. She’s also a powerhouse of energy, full of excitement about the adventure ahead. I can tell we’re on for a good race.
The race day begins with a ferry ride to the start line on Ornö. A good chance for Helen and Tiffany to check out the course ahead!
Every part of an ÖtillÖ race is an adventure and the Final 15 starts with a boat ride, as a chartered ferry takes us all to the start line on the west side of Ornö. We arrive and the atmosphere on the start line is a lot of fun – everyone’s comparing race tactics and with 30 minutes until the start, jumping in and out of the water to test the temperature and warm up.
Jellyfish and Rocks
Race start and we have a short 670m run up and over a hill then back down to the water. It’s just enough to get the blood moving before we’re in to the first (and longest!) swim on the course, of 1,150m. The water is calm but there are hundreds of jellyfish the size of my palm moving around us. After accidentally scooping a few up (and wearing one on my swimhat for a while!) I realise they’re harmless and just enjoy the company of these surreal creatures. I find out at the finish that other swimrunners were less keen!
The Final 15’s first swim takes you 1,150m round a sheltered bay. Image: Jakob Edholm
Tiffany and I aren’t swimming tethered as this is our first race together and our speeds are similar. In this first swim we realise she’s faster than me though, so I’m using her feet as a guide (luckily her neon run shoes are easy to spot!) and if she builds up too much of a lead she waits for me. You have to be within 10m of your partner in swimrun, so it’s important we don’t lose each other.
Out of the water we’re feeling good and we’re adjusting our kit and starting the second run, which is also the longest at 5km. It’s the easiest too though, as most of it is on farm tracks, so we’re picking up the pace and feeling comfortable.
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Later in the race things change, as we start to take on more typical ÖtillÖ terrain. The runs become more technical and we’re hopping across slippery rocks and trying to find a path through overgrown pine forests. There are scraps of ÖtillÖ tape tied to trees to show us the way, but often it’s a case of choosing your own path through the terrain.
Luckily Tiffany is full of tips and is demonstrating her fantastic ninja-esque run technique, hopping high over bracken and scampering across rocks. This is all good advice and overall I’m doing much better than the previous year and keeping my footing more (a polite way of saying I didn’t fall on my butt so much!).
Helen and Tiffany navigate one of the swim-to-run transitions. Image: Pierre Mangez
As for the swims, we’re powering through them and with most of them around 300m, the distances are enough to cool our bodies down after the run sections but not so long that we get too cold. We’re reading the conditions before each one too, as some have strong currents, so we’re heading out to different sighting points to the ÖtillÖ course water exit flags and letting the currents bring us back in.
Finishing Strong
All too soon, we arrive at the finish island Utö. Here the main championship race follows a 3.5km run course along the island and home, but for the Sprint we get to leave the island and take in another two smaller islands first. Tiffany is on home ground now and leading the way with an expert knowledge of every foothold and water exit, so we’re doing well and soon powering up the final hill to cheers from friends and Tiffany’s family.
Sprinting to the finish line at ÖtillÖ Final 15. Image: Magnus Ormestad/Huskypodcast
We’ve had a blast and I’m reminded again how much fun these Sprint races are. Our time was a little over three hours – so long enough to feel like a decent event – but still short enough that we don’t feel utterly ruined! I’d definitely recommend a Sprint race if you’re thinking about trying swimrun for the first time and being held on the original world championship course, the Final 15 feels even more special. Plus, they even brew an official ÖtillÖ beer to enjoy at the finish line! Cheers!
See the full race coverage, from the main race, which includes 220 Triathlon Editor Helen Webster as one of the live commentators. Plus read our report from the event.
Interested in trying swimrun for the first time? Read our guide here: What Is Swimrun?
Want to find out more about kit for swimrun? Read our Essential Guide to Swimrun Kit
Wondering how to train for your first swimrun race? Here’s our expert swimrun training plan
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Find out more about the ÖtillÖ World Swimrun Series.
@danielaryf is your new Icy Hot IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion!
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Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
@danielaryf is your new Icy Hot IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion!
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Javier Gomez is your new Icy Hot IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion!
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
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Javier Gomez is your new Icy Hot IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion!
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Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
From the organisers of the Castle Triathlon Series, the 226km Bastion has swiftly become known as one of the toughest long-course races in the UK. The fifth edition is now open for registration, with early bird prices seeing a 25% discount.
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The event has gained a strong reputation as a nurturing and friendly event, which is documented on Racecheck where it scores 4.7 out of 5.0, with one competitor describing it as “one of life’s defining races.” Further endorsement comes from the loyalty stats of the competitors taking part, in its third year 36% of the competitors were competing for the third time.
The exclusive field of triathletes compete alongside the Hever Castle Festival of Endurance, which features over 1,000 competitors and thousands more spectators, with its offering of multiple races (including single swim events and an aquabike) and a course for various distances and training opportunities.
Bastion entrants will receive a personal walk of the event village and course guidance from the Race Director, Brian Adcock, with the spectators set to enjoy the castle grounds, village pubs and live music and children’s entertainment in the event village.
Read course tips on conquering the Bastion here
The lapped course and athlete tracking means competitors can be seen regularly and supported as they complete their 226km goal. The event organisers have created cheering zones for the participants, and also offer competitor support with a team member allowed to join any last runners for the final 10km stretch to keep them on a high for their finishing line moment.
The Bastion course
The Bastion is rare in that it’s an iron-distance race set in close proximity to London (just 45mins away), with each leg of The Bastion designed to offer the ultimate challenge for both newcomers to long-distance triathlon and experienced long-course hands.
The Bastion, the final stronghold of a medieval castle, features a 3.8km river and lake swim, a true toughie of a 180km bike course with 3,000m of climbing, and a 42.2km run course that takes place largely off-road including running through the grounds of Chiddingstone Castle. See full details of the course and maps here.
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Free Charity Places
The national charity partner for the Castle Triathlon Series, including The Bastion, is Macmillan Cancer Support. You can get a free place in the 2018 Bastion in return for a £500 fundraising pledge. See more here.
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
From the organisers of the Castle Triathlon Series, the 226km Bastion has swiftly become known as one of the toughest long-course races in the UK. The fifth edition is now open for registration, with early bird prices seeing a 25% discount.
Advertisement
The event has gained a strong reputation as a nurturing and friendly event, which is documented on Racecheck where it scores 4.7 out of 5.0, with one competitor describing it as “one of life’s defining races.” Further endorsement comes from the loyalty stats of the competitors taking part, in its third year 36% of the competitors were competing for the third time.
The exclusive field of triathletes compete alongside the Hever Castle Festival of Endurance, which features over 1,000 competitors and thousands more spectators, with its offering of multiple races (including single swim events and an aquabike) and a course for various distances and training opportunities.
Bastion entrants will receive a personal walk of the event village and course guidance from the Race Director, Brian Adcock, with the spectators set to enjoy the castle grounds, village pubs and live music and children’s entertainment in the event village.
Read course tips on conquering the Bastion here
The lapped course and athlete tracking means competitors can be seen regularly and supported as they complete their 226km goal. The event organisers have created cheering zones for the participants, and also offer competitor support with a team member allowed to join any last runners for the final 10km stretch to keep them on a high for their finishing line moment.
The Bastion course
The Bastion is rare in that it’s an iron-distance race set in close proximity to London (just 45mins away), with each leg of The Bastion designed to offer the ultimate challenge for both newcomers to long-distance triathlon and experienced long-course hands.
The Bastion, the final stronghold of a medieval castle, features a 3.8km river and lake swim, a true toughie of a 180km bike course with 3,000m of climbing, and a 42.2km run course that takes place largely off-road including running through the grounds of Chiddingstone Castle. See full details of the course and maps here.
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
Advertisement
Free Charity Places
The national charity partner for the Castle Triathlon Series, including The Bastion, is Macmillan Cancer Support. You can get a free place in the 2018 Bastion in return for a £500 fundraising pledge. See more here.
Conditions were wet, slippy and cold for the WTS final in Rotterdam, the first time the Dutch city had featured on the WTS calendar.
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WTS leader Spaniard Mario Mola was the man to beat, and had to finish in the top 5 to defend his 2016 title – on paper a straightforward task but with difficult conditions, a strong field and a twisty bike course, it was important that he stayed in touch with any breaks that would take place.
As predicted Richard Varga from Slovakia led the swim, with Britain’s Jonny Brownlee exiting 8 secs down and Mola exiting 26secs down, one of his best swims of the season.
The early lead bike group of 15 included Brownlee, the newly crowned 70.3 World Champ Javier Gomez, Luis, Varga, Ben Kanute from USA, and Aaron Royle from Australia, with Mola, Fernando Alarza (ESP) and Richard Murray (RSA) all in the first chase pack just 20 seconds back.
By the end of lap one this gap had reduced to 15secs and despite efforts by Brownlee and Kanute to make a break the two groups merged just after two laps in.
Brownlee set out on the run meaning business with Kristian Blummenfelt from Norway, and for a short time they had a slight advantage. However they were soon caught by Gomez and Luis with Mola in 5th – the position that he needed to maintain if he was to retain the title.
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Still obviously off-form and far from feeling his best, a struggling Brownlee couldn’t maintain the pace and the fight for the podium became a battle between Louis and Blummenfelt for first and second, and Mola and Gomez for third and fourth. Luis would prove the stronger and took to the front with a hundred yards to go, while Mola out sprinted fellow teammate Gomez to take the podium’s final spot, and the world title. He becomes the second man after Gomez to win back-to-back titles.
No better time to get his first win of the season, @vincentluistri IS BACK! #RotterdamGF Champion! pic.twitter.com/nk1ZU1Sfu3
— TriathlonLIVE (@triathlonlive) September 16, 2017
Brownlee finished in fifth place and took sixth place in the series, while a 10th place finish for Tom Bishop saw him finish the series in 7th place.
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey
Conditions were wet, slippy and cold for the WTS final in Rotterdam, the first time the Dutch city had featured on the WTS calendar.
Advertisement
WTS leader Spaniard Mario Mola was the man to beat, and had to finish in the top 5 to defend his 2016 title – on paper a straightforward task but with difficult conditions, a strong field and a twisty bike course, it was important that he stayed in touch with any breaks that would take place.
As predicted Richard Varga from Slovakia led the swim, with Britain’s Jonny Brownlee exiting 8 secs down and Mola exiting 26secs down, one of his best swims of the season.
The early lead bike group of 15 included Brownlee, the newly crowned 70.3 World Champ Javier Gomez, Luis, Varga, Ben Kanute from USA, and Aaron Royle from Australia, with Mola, Fernando Alarza (ESP) and Richard Murray (RSA) all in the first chase pack just 20 seconds back.
By the end of lap one this gap had reduced to 15secs and despite efforts by Brownlee and Kanute to make a break the two groups merged just after two laps in.
Brownlee set out on the run meaning business with Kristian Blummenfelt from Norway, and for a short time they had a slight advantage. However they were soon caught by Gomez and Luis with Mola in 5th – the position that he needed to maintain if he was to retain the title.
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Still obviously off-form and far from feeling his best, a struggling Brownlee couldn’t maintain the pace and the fight for the podium became a battle between Louis and Blummenfelt for first and second, and Mola and Gomez for third and fourth. Luis would prove the stronger and took to the front with a hundred yards to go, while Mola out sprinted fellow teammate Gomez to take the podium’s final spot, and the world title. He becomes the second man after Gomez to win back-to-back titles.
No better time to get his first win of the season, @vincentluistri IS BACK! #RotterdamGF Champion! pic.twitter.com/nk1ZU1Sfu3
— TriathlonLIVE (@triathlonlive) September 16, 2017
Brownlee finished in fifth place and took sixth place in the series, while a 10th place finish for Tom Bishop saw him finish the series in 7th place.
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With maximum points from five wins reigning world champ Flora Duffy from Bermuda had to finish in the top 7 to defend her title, and looking at her 2017 results it was difficult to see her not achieving this.
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Fresh from her first-ever WTS podium finish in Stockholm Brit Jess Learmonth led the swim from the start with Duffy behind her in second, and Caroline Routier from Spain in third. A strung out field followed
Out on the bike USA’s Katie Zaferes, Learmonth and Duffy formed the leading trio and after the first intro lap of 4km had a lead of 33secs.
This lead extended to 01:30 by T2 and unless anything untoward happened this could be our podium but in what order?
A bad transition for Learmonth meant she exited T2 in third behind the other two, who soon had a lead of about 40secs over her. The run is not Learmonth’s strongest phase and with a troublesome calf problem that was obviously causing her pain, she put in a gutsy performance that saw her hang onto third, ahead of strong runners like Kirsten Kasper, who finished in fourth, and Jodie Stimpson.
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Flora Duffy proved that she is one of triathlon’s best all-round performers as she moved away from Zaferes in the early stages of the run, and she never looked back, securing her win and her title in the dominating style that has been her trademark throughout 2017.
Double the victory! @floraduffy is the #RotterdamGF winner and #WTS2017 WORLD CHAMPION!!!
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