So good to be back in the Engadin
In 2020 ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Engadin was one of the only races we managed to host. It was therefore so good to come back under more normal circumstances.
Every time you enter the valley you are just in awe. The Swiss Alps around the Engadin is just breathtaking. The valley is wide enough to have a string of emerald-colored lakes along the valley floor. The mountains are high enough to have year-round snow and glaciers. The forests are lush with waterfalls slicing through them. A swimrunners dream.
As always the mountains also give respect. The weather can change quickly and a beautiful day can become quite nasty. This year again the weather was with us showing its best side!
On Saturday we had a great turnout for the Sprint and for the Experience distances. Both in teams and in solo with many Swiss and many newcomers on the start line. As always the Saturday is full of smiles and happy people. So good to see so many locals and also with so many under 18 racers.
We also tried something new with Facebook Live coverage of the Sprint and Experience. This was perfectly executed by Adriel Young and Oscar Olsson bringing lots of insight and excitement to the race day.
On Sunday we also had a perfect day. With the World Series race on the menu. This race course is massive and so beautiful. The racers that were on-site had a great day of racing. Unfortunately we had a very low number of racers, hopefully still the effects of the Pandemic? To keep the wheels turning we need racers so hopefully we will see more of you in the future.
The bright side of the Sunday was the introduction of solo racers in the World Series distance. It was nice to see the spontaneous clapping before the start by all other racers for the Solo racers taking on the course. To crown the day Florian Schäfer (FRA) put in a stellar performance to be the first person over the finish line!
Thank you all racers, sponsors, volunteers and staff for a great weekend. We look forward to seeing you in Silvaplana and Switzerland on the second weekend of July in 2022. Make sure to bring a friend!
Images, results and teams qualified to ÖTILLÖ, The Swimrun World Championship 2021 are found here.
Our next race is our new destination in Sweden. Come join us on August 7th at ÖTILLÖ Swimrun Gothenburg.
