Elite program
Introducing the ÖTILLÖ Elite Program
Where the Best Compete
The ÖTILLÖ Elite Program 2026 is a formalized structure established by ÖTILLÖ to support, reward and provide visibility to the top-performing Swimrun athletes. It offers benefits such as free entries to races, access to a dedicated ranking system and a season-end prize purse.
Benefits
Athletes enrolled in the Program receive:
- Free race entries to all ÖTILLÖ World Series races in 2026 (excluding the World Championship)
- Inclusion in the Elite Ranking
- Eligibility for the season-end Elite Prize Money
- Athlete feature on a designated page on otilloswimrun.com
- Special designation during races (eg. Elite swim caps)
- Access to Elite merchandise
- ÖTILLÖ promotes Elite athletes in the best possible way on its social media channels.
- Regular news updated on the Elite Ranking
ELIGIBLE ATHLETES
Eligible athletes have received a personal invitation to the Elite Program.
See the eligibility criteria below:
Eligible are all World Series podium finisher (Top 3) during the 2025 season in one of the following races:
- ÖTILLÖ Utö
- ÖTILLÖ Engadin
- ÖTILLÖ Gothenburg
- ÖTILLÖ Åland,
- ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Championship
- ÖTILLÖ Rügen
- ÖTILLÖ Cannes
Eligible are all World Series winners (1st place) of the 2025 season of the following races:
- ÖTILLÖ Catalina
- ÖTILLÖ Casco Bay
- ÖTILLÖ Orcas
Athletes can apply for a Wild Card to access the Elite Program based on their merits in Swimrun or other comparable endurance sports and ÖTILLÖ will grant a limited number of Wild Cards. The number will depend on the total number of registrations for the Elite Program. The Wild Card fee will be EUR 950.
Please send your Wild Card request to Dominik ([email protected]) and Staffan ([email protected]) by December 10th, 2025.
If you believe that you are eligible but have not received an invitation, please email [email protected].
ELITE RANKING
ÖTILLÖ will maintain a new and separate Elite Ranking. Points will be awarded on an individual basis to Elite athletes in the World Series Team category (Team Women, Team Men, Team Mixed). Points range from 15 for 1st place to 1 for 15th place, and only Elite athletes are counted. Elite athletes may change partners during the season and may also compete with a non Elite athlete while still earning points.
-
- Rank 1: 15 points for each athlete of the team in each category
-
- Rank 2: 14 points …
-
- Rank 3: 13 points …
-
- Rank 4: 12 points …
-
- Rank 5: 11 points …
-
- Rank 6: 10 points …
-
- Rank 7: 9 points …
-
- Rank 8: 8 points …
-
- Rank 9: 7 points …
-
- Rank 10: 6 points …
-
- Rank 11: 5 points …
-
- Rank 12: 4 points …
-
- Rank 13: 3 points …
-
- Rank 14: 2 points …
-
- Rank 15: 1 point …
If at the end of the season two athletes have the same number of points, the higher rank shall go to the athlete with the higher number of overall points taking into account all race results of the season.
Points are awarded for the following World Series Races
- ÖTILLÖ World Series Rügen, Germany, May 16, 2026
- ÖTILLÖ World Series Orcas Island, USA, May 31, 2026
- ÖTILLÖ World Series Utö, Sweden, June 06, 2026
- ÖTILLÖ World Series Engadin, Switzerland, July 04, 2026
- ÖTILLÖ World Series Gothenburg, Sweden, July 25, 2026
- ÖTILLÖ World Series Casco Bay, USA, August 09, 2026
- ÖTILLÖ World Series Åland, Åland, August 15, 2026
- Season Finale: ÖTILLÖ World Series Cannes, France, October 03, 2026
The best three results of each athlete in any of the above races, plus the result on the Season Finale in Cannes, will count toward the final ranking of the year.
The Season Finale in Cannes awards double points.
The Swimrun Ranking for qualification for ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship is not affected by this, ie Elite athletes will collect points in both rankings.
Prize Money
To reward the extraordinary efforts the Elite athletes are making for the sport of Swimrun, we consolidate all available World Series prize money exclusively for the Elite. The total prize money for the Elite Program will be EUR 41’400.
The prize money will be distributed to the winning athletes after the season finale in Cannes in October 2026. Withholding tax shall be deducted if applicable.
Program Fee & Rules
To participate in the Program for the 2026 Season, athletes must pay a non-refundable Elite Program Fee of EUR 500.
Elite Athletes must list at least two races they will participate in by February 1st, 2026. This information will be published so other racers can see what to expect at which race. With stronger competition at the races, we aim to create more visibility, more excitement, and a stronger connection between athletes and the global Swimrun community.
Registration closes on January 15, 2026. After January 15th, registered athletes will receive links to register for the 2026 races of their choice.
Miscellaneous
ÖTILLÖ reserves the right to adapt or amend the Program structure or conditions for force majeure or operational reasons, provided any such changes are clearly communicated in advance.
A minimum number of at least 60 Elite athletes must sign up for the Elite Program. If this number is not reached, the Elite Program 2026 will be cancelled.
Our Partners
