In 2025 I have three ÖTILLÖ World Series planned: Utö, Engadin, and Åland. I’ll be racing Engadin and Åland with Ben Thuismeyer so I wanted to have at least one solo race where I can test myself and enjoy the dynamics of a solo race.
I raced Utö with Donato last year so I felt confident about the route and all the logistics around the race. This is a special place for swimrunners so I was excited to go back and race again. Also, my parents joined me for the trip to Stockholm with my mom spectating and my data taking part in the Experience race.
Leading up to the race we learned that some of the swims had been shortened due to the cold water temperatures. Then on the ferry it was windy and we could see the waves all around us. I knew it would be a tough race and I braced myself for the conditions and what was to come.
From the start Alexander Berggren pushed ahead and I settled into second place. We would remain in those positions all the way to finish! I was alone from the first swim and apart from overtaking teams on the route, I didn’t see anyone from the solo division until the finish. It was a race where I would need to manage my effort all day.
In the first half I felt strong and pushed myself on the runs and aimed to perform smooth and fast transitions. This worked well because I was holding Alexander at about the same time gap most of the way and I was opening up some time on Henrik who was in third place. In this part of the route the swim entries and exits were not too technical and the sea was relatively calm and easy to swim in.
In the second half everything became a little more tricky. The waves were rolling between the islands and each little swim became harder and harder to exit. I slowed just a little here to manage my effort and to complete the day as well as possible. I struggled in some of the waves and later heard that many athletes were washed into and off the rocks and needed multiple attempts to get out the sea. Once I settled into a slightly adjusted pace, I was able to navigate well and then push some more on the final run.
I was happy with my performance, how I managed the cold and conditions, and of course to get a podium in a World Series race! Uto was so much fun and I’d love to go back there again.
Race result
7 June 202532,4km (5.4km swim ; 27.0km run)
460m
3:44:34
2nd
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