Podium goals at ÖtillÖ Engadin for Alexis, Sabina and Xavi-Jové

by | Jul 20, 2020 | Envol Athletes, Swimrun | 0 comments

Podium goals at ÖtillÖ Engadin for Alexis, Sabina and Xavi-Jové
While Alexis Charrier and Sabina Rapelli will try to stay on the top of the mixed category, Xavier Jové Riart will discover his first swimrun with Francesc Lanuza. Two different experiences of the sport but the same golden goals.
Alexis and Sabina (ÖtillÖ Catalina winners)

Since the beginning of the restrictions due to the virus, we have tried to adapt our training based on the evolution of the situation in Ticino (Switzerland). The swiss government has been quite proactive as they released updates every week to communicate the evolution of the virus within each canton and any updates on the guidelines / restrictions that are put in place.

During the first few weeks, the government closed all non-essential businesses, including the pools. We had the luck to still be able to do outdoors sports such as running or biking, even though we couldn’t do so in groups, so we adapted our weekly training sessions with the help of the local running coach from VIGOR Ligornetto. With no access to pools, we decided to focus on increasing running distance and adding long mountain bike rides to our weekly training. We also increased the quantity of our land-based exercises specifically for swimming, including resistance bands with paddles to imitate the swimming motion.

 

Once the lake was at a correct temperature to swim in with a wetsuit, we started incorporating 2 to 3 times 45 min sessions focusing on swimrun technique with all our gear. As the temperatures gradually increased, we increased our time in the water adding up to 6-7km open water swims. We had the luck to have our local running coach accompany us with a boat for energy and motivation which pushed us to continue. As we were able to swim more and more, we reduced gradually the distance in mountain bike whilst keeping 1 – 2 long rides maintain cross training as well as reduce the impact of running on our organisms.

Eventually, the pools started to open and we were able to reincorporate the pool sessions in our weekly training. We continued to do long distance open water swims using our gear and incorporated longer main sets such as 4x800m or 2x800m + 2x1800m.
Sabina and I would like to win in Engadin or at least get on the podium.
In 2019, Sabina and I did too many races and ended up having accumulated fatigue up to Engadin. We started feeling fatigue after the 2nd uphill and needed to dig deep from then on. The objective for this year is to be well rested and more prepared.
Sabina participated in the past two editions, in women’s category with Cassandra Eliasson in 2018 and in mixed with Alexis Charrier in 2019. We weren’t prepared enough last year…
We look forward to reunite with the team to share stories (and a few beers), especially after these past few months of social distancing…

 

Xavier Jové

I didn’t train normally because I do not know the sport and do not have sensations for it yet. I’m going to discover this new sport in Engadin. For me, doing the race with Francesc is a pleasure because he is one of the best in swimrun and the fact that he wants to compete with me is a great satisfaction.

Competing is bringing out the best in me. I hope my feelings are going to be good and we are going to coordinate well to give our best. My coach Edu and my partner Francesc have told me that we will swim in cold water, at high altitude, on technical terrain and against strong competition.

I do not know anyone from the Team Envol but they have told me about their philosophy and it matches mine. Nicolas Remires is making a great Team and I hope to know them more soon.