One expression in three languages for ÖtillÖ for making the races in Cannes happen. Hard work and a bit off luck allowed a bunch of happy swimrunners to once again pull on a race bib. After succsessefully jumping through every Covid-19 hoop out there I heard that for a moment too much drift wood in the water actually threatened to stop the race. But it didn’t.
Team Envol rolled into town with 12 teams racing the World Series race on the Sunday. Quite a few team members choose not to travel due to the current situation and those of us who did had make sure we were onboard with the mask, distancing and hygiene regime. Humans have an extraordinary ability to adapt …
Even though we couldn’t socialize as we normally would the blue t-shirts and jackets were still clear to bee seen around the race venue. Always nice to have your pack present, even if it is at arms length and with a mask on!
Matthieu Paganini claimed a first podium on Saturday already by coming third in the solo sprint.
In the long race on Sunday Nicolas and Francesc raced neck to neck with Desirée and Guillaume most of the way. The result was a third place in the men’s category and a solid win in mixed. AND a fourth overall for Desirée and Guillaume. Not more than two minutes away this time we have a feeling Desirée is about to step on the overall podium. She. Is. Unstoppable.
But enough about podiums. Albane and Pierre-Julien had lot’s of fun and the biggest smile in the finish shoot. Benoit raced with a total stranger – Chris (and made it to the finish line). Sabina and Alexis finished hand in hand with the beginner male Team Envol – Alexandre and Alexis, while casually claiming the silver in the mixed category.
Everybody made it, everybody made new memories and experiences – and that’s probably why we keep doing this.
Every race is an adventure. But every swimrun adventure doesn’t have to be a race.
2020 has been shit in so many ways but we do believe it has helped to carve out the spirit of swimrun even more. Racing is fun, it adds that bit of extra edge and adrenaline, but swimrun is so much more!
To emerge into spring as an even stronger swimrunner, ready for whatever challenge or adventure you’re planning we suggest you have a look at the “Winter Swimrun Base Training” !
Top photo by Catarina Axelsson – @cataxel
