Sweden dominated this year’s ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Championship with victories in both the men’s and women’s races.

Fredrik Axegård and Alex Flores won the men’s gold medal in a new course record of 7:39:25, while Kristin Larsson and Annika Ericsson claimed women’s gold in 8:56:26.

The event, now in its 13th year, is the jewel in the crown of Swimrun and attracted more than 400 competitors to take on the 75km course near Stockholm.

“We couldn’t even in our wildest fantasies imagine to finish this fast,” said Axegård of his team’s fastest ever ÖTILLÖ time.

“You don’t really know what the other teams are doing so just have to keep going, even if it’s painful and even if you have the worst cramps. We had decided not to let anyone go. We aimed for sub eight hours and a podium finish but this is just amazing.”

Larsson said the conditions were perfect for fast times after joining forces with Ericsson to set the fastest ever women’s time.

“Conditions were just perfect, warm water and no wind,” she said. “We have been able to race properly without being stiff and cold as previous years. We also met really tough competition this year so we had to keep on pushing.”

Helena Erbenova Karaskova was the only gold medallist not to represent the host country. The Czech Republic athlete teamed up with Swede Martin Flinta to win the mixed race in 8:16:15.

ÖTILLÖ challenges teams of two to swim between 24 islands and also run over them. In total, 10km of the course involves open water swimming and 65km is trail running. With no fewer than 46 transitions during the race, speed in and out of the water is crucial to success in ÖTILLÖ Swimrun.

2018 ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Championship Results

MEN

1. Fredrik Axegård & Alex Flores (Sweden) – Team Sport Office – 7:39:25
2. Jonas Ekman Fischer & Lars Ekman (Sweden) – Sailfish Team Bröderna Bäver – 7:42:07
3. Oscar Olsson (Sweden) & Adriel Young (Australia) – Team Ark Swimrun-HUUB -7:44:20

WOMEN

1. Kristin Larsson & Annika Ericsson (Sweden) – Team Outdoor Experten – 8:56:26
2. Fanny Danckwardt & Desirée Andersson (Sweden) – Team Envol – 9:00:15
3. Charlotte Eriksson & Renée Huuva (Sweden) – Yo Running Club – 9:07:11

MIXED

1. Martin Flinta (Sweden) & Helena Erbenova Karaskova (Czech Republic) – Thule Crew/Wolffwear Swimrun – 8:16:15
2. Sam Clark (New Zealand) & Marika Wagner (Sweden) – Apollo Sports – 8:30:19
3. Thomas Schreven (Netherlands) & Jasmina Glad-Schreven (Finland) – Say no! to doping – 8:36:29

FULL RESULTS

2018 ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Championship Video

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