11 m/s from the South East, sun and warm temperatures was not ideal for a race of such caliber as ÖTILLÖ. Yet on the start line were 96 teams better prepared than ever before of which everyone did whatever they could to take them all the way to Utö Värdshus within the time limits. 59 teams managed.
Huge respect to all racers from near and far to venture into our waters and for the mega effort you all put into the day. It is inspiring to see how much you want to finish. We have three new winners in all categories and we would particularly like to congratulate Björn & Antti – Team Ekonomianalys – for setting a new course record in such tough conditions. I hope somebody bet on them on Betsafe as those bets payed 8 times the money ☺
We are also so pleased that more and more women are entering ÖTILLÖ and finishing ÖTILLÖ, often in better shape than their male partners in the mixed category.
Thanks to our staff and volunteers we managed to keep the race safe and well fed. Every year Mats and I are so grateful for the very wonderful persons that give everything they have to make the racers feel as good as possible. Annika, on Kvinnholmen after the long swim, even lay down on top of one of the racers to try to warm him up.
Seglarhotellet i Sandhamn and Utö Värdshus do an incredible job in putting us up, feeding us all and keeping such a great attitude. We can not do this race without you.
Our sponsors make this race possible, thank you for believing in us and giving us the opportunity show what we can do. We sincerely believe we have a new thing going here which in time can get to be quite big. Mats and I just have to make sure we take all feedback into account and try to make things better for everyone every year. However, one thing is clear ÖTILLÖ is not multisport and it is not Triathlon, it is simply ÖTILLÖ.
Do not miss our TV show on September 19th, TV4 sport at 2200. This show will then be published on ÖTILLÖ TV for everyone far away from swedish TV. Upon hearing about ÖTILLÖ or seeing pictures from the race remember the feeling you had out there.
Enjoy the rest of the year and hopefully we will see you on the start- and finish line next year. We would particularly like to see some of the top teams, finishers and non finishers come back to give Björn & Antti a race for the first sub 9 finish at ÖTILLÖ.
With deep respect,
Michael & Mats