ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship is where every swimrunner wants to go one day. To experience the feeling of being part of something bigger. You train as hard as possible during the season to get qualified and to be on the start line in Sandhamn!
Matthieu Poullain – Overall winner of ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Series 1000 Lakes in 2019 with Hugo Tormento.
Who are you?
I’m a 27 years old Frenchman leaving in the beautiful city of Montpelier with my girlfriend, Eugénie, our dog and our cat. I spend my time between my work, as sport physiotherapist, and triathlon training, which I have been doing for the past 20 years. I also love winter sport and mountain activities.
How did you get into Swimrun?
I discovered Swimrun thanks to my co-worker Marine who has competed in several Ötillö Swimrun World Series races. Following her initiative, Eugénie and I decided to register for our first race in 2018 and we really enjoyed the atmosphere of the sport. I then met Hugo, my current teammate, who came to my job to get rehabilitation for an injury from a bad fall he took during ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship in 2018.
We eventually decided to give it a try as a team and did our first race together in Hvar 2019.
What do you like most about Swimrun?
The team part of Swimrun is what I believe makes this sport so unique. Racing with a friend, sharing great moments in amazing places, relying on your skills and/or helping each other during difficult times is what I enjoy the most.
How does Swimrun make you a better person in your everyday life?
I don’t know if swimrun make me a better person but the training helps me to be calmer and in better shape for my everyday life.
If you could choose anyone you want as a partner (nobody you raced with before) for an ÖTILLÖ Swimrun race, who would it be?
I would love to do a race with my brother Guillaume. Sharing an ÖTILLÖ Swimrun race with a family member must be something really special.
What is your favorite meal the night before a race?
I often ate pizza before racing during last season races. Maybe I will try to change that for this year 🙂
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