Nordic Islands Adventure Race 2018

PHOTOBOOK Projectleader & Text: Staffan Bjรถrklund staffaneb@gmail.com / +46733449703

Text: Marika Wagner, Anna Nisslert Graphic Design/Layout: Carina Sommarstrรถm/carina@samba.ax Photo: Honza Zak/ photo@honzazak.com Kristen Oliver/ kirsten@kirstenoliver.com Agatha Boveda Aguirre/ agathaboag@gmail.com Gunnar Eld/ gunnar@gunnareld.com Petter Persson/ petter.persson@hotmail.com Alexander Landstrรถm/ landstrommedia@gmail.com Simon Bo Silverdahl/ simon@sweetmedia.se

Print: Mariehamns Tryckeri/2018 August

Whats Adventure Racing Adventure Racing is a cutting edge sport of human endurance. With high demands on physical endurance, mental strength and technical skills. The competitions are non- stop through unique environments and wilderness around the world. They last between 3–10 days where teamwork, tactics and sleep strategy are important elements for moving forward as a ef cient unit and team.

Teams consisting of four members compete in this multi-discipline race that presents a progression of challenges such as mountain biking, running, kayaking, rope skills and swimming while constantly navigating through the course for consecutively days.

Course lengths vary between 300 –1100 km, from start to finish! Each course is a unique journey. An uncertain number of checkpoints exist along the way where navigation and orienteering always is a key factor. Often just reaching the finish line is a victory

2

TA8

TA5 SALTVIK Viking Village TUE 14 AUG 19:30 THUR 16 AUG 05:45

LEG 10

HAKKENPÄÄ Saaristo marina THUR 16 AUG 12:00 SAT 18 AUG 12:00

TA6 SVEDEN Vargstensslätten TUE 14 AUG 23:45 THUR 16 AUG 11:45

LEG 11 FINISH

LEG 8 LEG 9

LEG 6 LEG 5 LEG 7 TA7

TA3

TA4

SINGÖ Svartklubbens lotsstation MON 13 AUG 08:00-20:00

KUMLINGE Ferry harbour WED 15 AUG 09:00 THUR 16 AUG 23:00

ECKERÖ Post and Customs house MON 13 AUG 15:30 TUE 14 AUG 05:00

STOCKHOLM SWEDEN August 12 2018 12:00 Leg 1

Abseil Downtown Camper

Leg 2

RUNNING 6.5km

Leg 3

PACKRAFT 16km

Leg 4

MOUNTAINBIKE 230km

Leg 5

KAYAK 60km

Leg 6

SWIMRUN 84km

Leg 7

TREK 25km

Leg 8

KAYAK 40km

Leg 9

Legend Leg

LEG 4

MOUNTAINBIKE 91km

Leg 11

RUNNING 7km

Route

ABSEIL

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

2

RUNNING

STOCKHOLM

3

PACKRAFT

STOCKHOLM - ÄLTA

4

MOUNTAINBIKE

ÅLTA - SINGÖ

5

KAYAK

SINGÖ - ECKERÖ

6

SWIMRUN

ECKERÖ - SALTVIK

7

TREK

SALTVIK - SVEDEN

START

8

KAYAK

SVEDEN - KUMLINGE

LEG 1

9

PACKRAFT

KUMLINGE - HAKENPÄÄ

10

MOUNTAINBIKE

HAKENPÄÄ - ÅBO

11

RUNNING

ÅBO, FINLAND

TA1 STOCKHOLM Brunkebergstorg 9 SUN 12 AUG 12:00-14:30

PACKRAFT 78km

Leg 10

Discipline

1

TA2

LEG 2

ÄLTA SUN 12 AUG 16:00-18:00

ÅBO FINLAND

Distance TA1 TA1 TA2 TA3 TA4 TA5 TA6 TA7 TA8

Country

6.5 16 230 60 84 25 40 78 91 7

LEG 3

About AR World Series 4

The Adventure Racing (AR) World Series unites in competition the worlds best endurance athletes at premiere Qualifier events around the globe. The top two teams at each of these races gain a coveted position on the start line of the annual pinnacle of the sport, the AR World Championship.

Each international Qualifier event in the AR World Series sets a unique course to test mixed teams of four for up to 10 days of non-stop racing in the disciplines of trekking, mountain biking, kayaking, navigation and more. Courses are always kept secret until just before the start.

AR world seires is more than an extreme series; it offers humans to test their limits together, travel to new exotic areas around the world, explore cultures and integrate with locals. AR world series offer nature as a playground, where they let the environment challenge you

5

Marie Nilsson

1

Sweco Adventure

Mathias Carling

Swedish Team Sweco is a large team with down-to-earth and very competent adventure racers. No matter what line-up they bring to a race, they always pull off high results. Sweco is an elite team as a part of Karlstad Multisport and their knowledge of racing both national and international goes back to 1998. They aim for high performances in the best international competition.

Clarens Olsson

6

Tomas Nordlander

2 Malin Hjalmarsson

Sam Clark

Swedish Armed Forces Adventure Team Swedish Armed Forces Adventure Team is a highly qualified team representing the Swedish Army. Malin and John continue to serve. As a team they’ve raced together for 4 years but their individual experience runs deeper. A historical note was a podium finish at the long and legendary 7 days Adventure Racing World Championships in Brazil (2015). The team typically performs at its best on really gnarly courses. They look forward to the long swimrun section and long stretches of pack rafting. They’ve set high expectations, racing on home soil and promise to leave everything on the race course.

Due to a recent injury (bike accident) to team captain John, the very qualified and fast Sam Clark from New Zealand has risen for the occasion. Sam’s experience involves mostly stage races, he claims that he’s done with the multi-day and night races, but he continues to answer the call.

Johan Hasselmark

Emil Dahlqvist

9

Isabel Santana

Diego Yoldi

3

Nutrium Cron-Cdn

Juan Carlos García

Nutrium Cron-CDn are very stoked for this big challenge and all the preparations that come with it. They have been through a lot of raids and races in Spain and now enter an international race that adds a little more to they’re racing experience. They are a strong running team and feel confident in navigation.

Navigation on water is new to them, they’re looking forward to the challenges that come with this new opportunity.

10

Rubén Torrecilla

AurĂŠlie Jacob

Vadim Hatton

4

Julien Le Borgne

Les Petits Suisses Normands Les Petits Suisses Normands where one of the first teams to enter the Nordic Islands Adventure Race when. Facing an adventure of a lifetime concurring the Nordic Vikings. Other than that, this mysterious team have great love for the outdoors and spend most of their free time outside kayaking, running or biking.

Thibaut Ruamps

13

Juliette Crete

5

Remi Crete

Adeorun Adventure Sportera Adeorun features Remi, a strong and experienced captain who will be racing with his daughter Juliette. The team looks to overcome diversity as the come together from different parts of the world to race the Nordic Islands. Jacques will be competing in his first world series event. The team looks to overcome challenges while building the experience of its younger members.

Already racing Belize and Godzone in New Zealand Sportera Adeorun looks forward to the human warmth and generous scenery of the Nordic countries as they set their sights on the World Championships in La Reunion later this year.

Jacques SchmidtMorgenroth

While pursuing a race of new experience and happiness, the team looks forward to the Swedish dominated SwimRun

14

Aurelien Penneman

Johanna Wallensten

Henrik Roström

6

Puppy Adventure Team Niklas Vallenholm

Rasmus Regnstrand

This is by far the most competent swimrun team in the field with plenty of Swimrun World Championship finishes as well podium positions. They do not fear a 24 hour swimrun section but welcome them opportunity to showcase their potential. Rasmus gives this team a special advantage, he’s already crossed the same path,

swimrunning from Stockholm to Turku.

With respect to adventure racing they are all new. Captain Henrik was the instigator and the rest of the team blames him in advance for all the blisters and other pain.

They took on the challenge of this race to give them the opportunity to go out on a lot of exciting adventures in preparation. They’ve been building their own Puppy Weekend adventure missions in the Stockholm area.

They’ve had a ton of fun and are ready for the adventure of Nordic Islands.

17

Reeda Tuula

Timmo Tammemäe

7

Estonian ACE Adventure

Estonia ACE Adventure is an experienced and competitive team that continues to operate on a high level. They find racing to be the best training and during summer months they commit to a pretty intense schedule. They’ve circled Nordic Islands Adventure Race on their calendar as they aim for a strong podium performance in preparation for this years World Championships in Le Reunion. Their confidence coming into NIAR stems from previous races on very similar terrain. They’ve completed the Endurance Quest on the Finnish shore and rely heavily on their strong orienteering experience on Finnish and Swedish soil.

Rain Eensaar

Reeda Tuula is a new addition to the team this year and has been competing in her first adventure races. The rest of the team will work together to support her but they’re highly confident that Reeda possesses the characteristics and qualities required to strengthen this team.

18

Silver Eensaar

Eva de Vos

Ă… R

A I P O K

Cor Wilders

8

Lowland Leopard Lowland Leopard brings 190 years of life experience and almost 30 years of adventure racing experience to the start line. They possess skills in dragon boat racing, volleyball, windsurfing and ice skating. The team is a part of a broader association of 15 people with different adventure ambitions varying from eight hours racing to six days. They race and train together in different constellations and look to conquer different challenges.

The Netherlands is known as the ‘Lowlands’ because a major part of the nation is flat and below sea-level. The Leopard is a species that lives in all parts of the world and is able to adapt to all climates and environments.

Both have become important character traits of an adventure racer.

Harald Kraaij

The Scandinavian environment is what attracted them to Nordic Island Adventure Race, although they are not so fond of mosquitos. They also appreciate the Nordic mentality and approach. A big challenge is to putting their lives together in a way that balances families and work while providing enough time to train.

They are looking forward to 5-6 days of intense racing, while making the best of what will come on the way. Being immersed with the team and not bothering about all the other facts of life. The team looks to move from A-to-B, always keeping pace as they press forward, getting closer to the finish-line. The team aims to finish the course at the best of their possibilities. Not necessarily going for the win but always striving to work passed the team in front of them.

Hans van Dommelen

21

Frederique Stoezel

9

Team GC-Princes Noirs

Ă… R

A I P O K

Julien Kervedaou

Julien Rannou

Team GC-Princes Noirs have been racing together for four years now. They are first and foremost a group of friends that contains a mix of two local teams GC and Princes Noirs.

With Nordic Islands Adventure Race as the main goal of the season they’ve prepared with the French Adventure Race Championship in the Pyrenees. They are here to have fun together in the fantastic landscape and aim for a complete race by mastering all the parameters: sleep, food , material, physics. The challenges they see in the race is the long sections sitting in the kayak and to be efficient in the route choice and navigation. Most important is the opportunity to share this adventure with one another.

22

Seb Cochet

10

Sumipor-Rodosa BudiñoRAID

Budiño, a little place in Galicia, in the Northwest corner of Spain, (near Portugal) is the home of Sumipor-Rodosa. Their story is straightforward, they originate from different sports; athletics, triathlon, mountain bike and trail running. They discovered orienteering in 2013 and immediately fell in love with the opportunities.

A I P O K Å A R I P O K Å R

Rocio Blanco

Victor Manuel Mouriño Fortes

Daniel McKay

Now five years later, they’ve competed in many adventure races in the Galician league, the Spanish league and last year challenged themselves to run the Norcha Adventure Race in Portugal (European Series) as well as Gallaecia Raid in the World Series. This year their story continues it evolve as they endure two World Series races and three European Series events, undertaking a massive race season.

The ambitions for Nordic Islands Adventure Race is to finish the full course and enjoy the fabulous experience of the Nordic countries.

An advantage is the swimrun experience of Victor, who participated in Ö till Ö – Swimrun World Championship last year.

24

25

Carlos Amil Fernández

Pernilla Lagergren

Sonny Peterson

11

Uppsala Multisport

Anton Lidblad

When this group of athletes, based in Uppsala, Sweden, saw the news about the Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS) event in Sweden they felt tempted to join. They’ve raced and trained together over the years, which made teaming up together easy consideration. They find the course both interesting and terrifying because of all the water, but they’re looking forward to biking on the other side of the Ålands Sea crossing.

The teams biggest strength is their ability to keep going and giving whatever it takes, for as long as it’s takes. They anticipate keeping a strong pace deep into the race.

26

Thomas Sundtoft

12 Audrey Ehanno

Agde Raid Adventure

The team, Agde Raid Aventure is composed by a core of 5 people. Nordic Islands Adventure Race is a special race because it’s a dream for one of the team core member, Philippe Geral, to compete in Scandinavia. Here he fell in love with his wife Cecile a few years ago and ever since they’ve loved this part of the world and been wanting to race here.

Cecile was the first female team member in the teams first adventure race, Raid In France 2010. But just after that, she discovered she had cancer. She struggled more than the best adventure racer can do during 6 years, always smiling and supporting the team and her husband on races, never complaining. She is gone since January 2017 It will be a special expedition and Philippe Gerals comeback after this trauma. Captain Paul have built a very competitive team of very good friends, coming from the best french teams. Audrey Ehanno, from Naturex and Stephane Dumortier, from Arverne Outdoor.

“This race will be very emotional for us, but we are sure to cross the line with head up, as a star in the Scandinavian sky will take care of us. We will race for Cecile.”

Stephane Dumortier

Paul Galode

Philippe Geral

29

13

Team Paca-Raid Paca Raid is an organization from southern France. At NIAR their teammates come together and will be racing with one another for the first time. The team consists of two teachers and two doctors with varied sporting backgrounds including trail running, gymnastics and professional base jumping. They’ve been adventure racing for a number of years in their home country and this year they’ve extended their opportunities to the international stage.

2018 is about the French Championship, Nordic Islands Adventure Race and a dream to compete with the worlds best at La Reunion for the World Championship.

Anne Manopoulos

Patrice Manopoulos

Maxence Volpe

The biggest challenge they find going into Nordic Islands Adventure Race will be SwimRun as the push themselves to improve their fitness.

The team appreciates the power of the Baltic Sea and looks forward to the Scandinavian nature and the human adventure that lays within every adventure race.

30

Romain Tyrode

Pauliina Pohja

Petri “The Flying Meatball” Forsman

14 Jaakko Mäkelä

Multisport.fi

Petri Forsman is a legend in the Adventure Racing community, being the only one in the starting line who’s won the Adventure Racing World Championships. Rumours tells that Petri is the only adventure racer to actually get bitten by a snake during race. The team has raced around the world in many different constellations. They’ve also competed in several stage races in China.

Petri holds a gold medal from Ö till Ö - Swimrun World Championships, Ville and Jakko have also raced the famous swimrun race. This makes them one of few teams in peace with the extensive swimrun leg. Which may prove to be the crux of the event.

Ville Mäkelä

33

Delphine Rodriguez

15

Team PSNO RAID Team PSNO consists of three very competent orienteerers and one cyclist. They find passion in sport and look to push their limits while discovering new countries. They’ve been carrying a dream to participate in an international adventure race. To PSNO RAID an adventure race is a live human adventure that’s full of friendship. What attracted them to Nordic Islands Adventure Race was the swimrun, tricky navigation and long pack rafting. They look forward to the enormous challenge of crossing the Baltic Sea. They are ready to join the Vikings!

34

Stéphane Rodriguez

Jean-Pierre Cabianca

Thierry Grabarski

Maria Ehlin Kolk

16

Hamilton

Adventure Team Lars Löfgren

Kristoffer Säfström

Erik Johansson

Hamilton Adventure Team came together on the initiative of Annika and Johan Hamilton, owners of Hamilton Group AB. They are active members in the multisport community and created the team with the ambition of providing young talent with the opportunity to embark on real challenge.

They created a team where three of four members should be younger then 30 years and all members were recognized for top performances in their earlier sports.

Annika and Johan recognize the key to success is through team development. They’ve worked extensively at building team relationships by working with individual personalities.

They are looking for an adventure that really challenges the physical and mental capabilities of the team and a race that provides them with the experience and benefits that last a lifetime.

37

17

Teenek Racing Teenek Racing will consist of racers from USA and Mexico, who are competing together for the first time. They’re no strangers to the ARWS though, they’ve all raced at the World Championship level as well as several other world series events.

Amanda Leigh

Jorge Mendiola

The team is looking forward to what will be an epic race and are happy about the opportunity to race and explore this part of the world. They anticipate racing at their limits and are looking to unveil what their potential is. They’ll rely heavily on a positive atmosphere as they work through the challenges of the course.

Ulises and Oscar have been training really hard for NIAR, so they were a bit concerned about the last minute changes to the team roster Fortunately they were able to partner with the highly motivated and exceptionally strong Amanda, and JD will lead the navigation component and is no stranger to the ARWS.

38

Oscar Ulises Gonzalez Gutiérrez

JD Eskelson

Marika Wagner

18 Kalle Zackari Walström

James Roberts

Stark som en björn, snabb som en örn – powered by Addnature

A team looking for an adventure that involves many aspects. Three strong guys with no experience in multisport or endurance training but physically strong, focusing on the upper body with a great passion for kettlebells. With the help and guidance of team captain Marika, a professional adventure racer to guide them through the preparations, they’re looking to push their way to the finish line.

Their first step was the to enter a series of endurance races in Sweden known as “En Svensk Klassiker” (A Swedish Classic). There they were exposed to good training and motivation to undertake a world series event. They experienced 90k of cross-country skiing, 300k of road biking, 3k of swimming. They com-

Jens Larsson

peted with good effort and now have a taste of endurance racing.

Kalle is a TV presenter on a mission to try different sports and lifestyles and take on stupid challenges. James and Jens, long standing friends of Kalles, work in the police force, got dragged in to this exciting challenge. But, did they really know what they jumped into?

The team is starting to realize the magnitude of this race and the high level of competition among the other teams.

Marika the leader of this squad has one goal with no alternatives in mind. “I’m going to lead this team all the way to Turku, we will not settle for less, we will not pull out some-

where along the way.” Marika is experienced with fast racing and strives through long and gnarly courses.

The team is looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead. The pinnacle of their race will be working together through tough conditions for extended periods, conditions that test their character as well as their capabilities. They are eager to cross the Baltic Sea but at the same time they’re a bit scared to be in a small kayak on the big water. Even though this is event is branded as a race, the team is looking forward to crossing through the archipelago which will give them the opportunity to embrace the nature around them.

41

Malin Börjesson

19 Team Downtown Camper

Emma Lind

When the planning for the race started, hotel Downtown Camper quickly came aboard as a partner and recognized the importance of supporting their own team on this epic journey.

Malin started working as a lifestyle consigner and her responsibilities soon included being the team captain. Three other women, also working at the hotel joined Malin and the only all female team was established. Being new to the sport they’ve embraced the journey with complete dedication.

They’ve found great fun exploring new sports and the multitude of skills required for adventure racing. They’ve constantly trained together, always with a smile on their faces. They’ve embraced the journey by testing their new skills on training races and navigation classes.

They’ve recognized this is only the beginning of the multisport world for them.

Natalie Persson

They’re anxiously waiting to see how they’ll work together along the race course while facing different obstacles and managing the challenges of sleep deprivation. They strongly believe that trusting each other is a key to success and while they recognize they might not be the fastest team on course, they’ll certainly be the happiest

42

Caroline Åkerstam

Corrinne O’Donnell

Björn Rydvall

20 Since 2013 the team has been called Haglöfs Silva, but the team is far from new. Originally formed by some of the current members in 2002. World renowned as veterans in the sport they still consider themselves young and promising.

During the years they have always worked hard to, improve skills in the different disciplines, become stronger and to grow as a team. Their ability to work together allows them to achieve maximum performance.

44

Haglöfs Silva

Within the team they know each others strengths and weaknesses, and how to help and motivate each through often epic adventure races.

Together the team has competed a lot, both in Sweden and abroad. Sometimes performing at the top international levels and sometimes not, but almost always with a smile on the faces. Haglöfs Silva have a stunning list of achievements with 2nd places on the Adventure Racing World Championship 2011 and

2015, 3rd places on the Adventure Racing World Championships 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2012 and first at Adventure Racing World Series in Spain 2015. However they strive for more and to stand top of the podium at the Adventure Racing World Championship is the dream.

Robert Lindberg

With the reinforcement of Corrine and Rob who both basically grew up Adventure Racing, they are bringing a really strong team for Nordic Islands Adventure Race.

Rob Preston

Leanne Mueller

21 Pete Cameron

Wilderness Traverse.com Wilderness traverse is a 24h adventure race in Ontario, Canada.

The members of the team represented in Nordic Islands Adventure Race have been in adventure racing for over 20 years and welcome the opportunity to visit Sweden and Finland for the first time. They have been racing together many times in the past and look forward to rekindling their expedition environment together.

James Galipeau

Harper Forbes

For married couple Leanne and Pete it will be their first expedition together since having 2 kids in the last five years. They have raced separately in expeditions and done shorter races but feel extra stoked to race together again. James and Harper round out this dynamic foursome by providing a wealth of current world series experience.

47

22

Greener Adventure

Team powered by Cykelkraft

Cecilia Jessen

Greener Adventure Team is a Swedish adventure racing team with high ambitions. The members have collected experiences from different team constellations but are now united to perform on the highest level with focus on the Adventure Racing World Series. It’s the adventure that drives them and they are truly grateful for being able to do what they love.

Simon was a volunteer at Explore Sweden 2011, the latest Adventure Racing World Series race in Sweden, and that’s when he fell in love with the sport. Also Jonas and Mårten have been in adventure racing for many years while Cecilia is a former triathlete with great results, who transferred into Adventure Racing and has been quickly learning. The team has raced all over the world. In China, Brazil, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Africa, Spain, India, France, New Zealand, Australia and now they’ve returned home to add Sweden to that impressive list.

Simon Niemi

Mårten Svensson

48

Jonas Andersson49

Barbora Simkova

Pavel PaloncĂ˝

23

Fenix Multisport

Bird Fenix is the bird that rises out of the aches, just like an Adventure Racer being totally trashed after a race but continues to rise and go for it again, and usually again.

Tomas Matera

Their team set their eyes on Nordic Islands Adventure Race from the beginning looking for a real adventure with real challenges. After several races lacked the element of adventure they where searching for something more, something thats never been done before. Crossing the Baltic Sea, visiting Åland and going through the archipelago should illicit an exciting journey. When the race is adventurous there is a need to improvise as a team and that’s a significant strength of Fenix Multisport.

50

Jan Obuskevic

Photo: Henrik Trygg /mediabank.visitstockholm.com

Stockholm The great city of Stockholm began in the 13th century. At that time trade and commerce were increasing across Europe and many new towns were founded.

invaded Sweden in 1519. In 1520 he captured Stockholm and he had more than 80 Swedish nobles executed for heresy. However the Swede Gustav Vasa recaptured Stockholm in 1523.

In 1252 the regent of Sweden, Birger Jarl founded Stockholm. The new town grew rapidly. In 1289 it was described as the largest place in Sweden, although it would seem very small to us. By 1500 Stockholm was a flourishing town of about 6,000 people.

During the 17th century Sweden was a great power in Europe. Stockholm grew rapidly and by the end of the century it had a population of around 50,000.

Riddarhuset, The House of Nobility was built between 1641 and 1674.

Then in 1520 came the Stockholm Bloodbath. The king of Denmark

The history of Stockholm, capital of Sweden, for many centuries coincided with the development of what is today

known as Gamla stan, the Stockholm Old Town. Stockholm’s raison d’être always was to be the Swedish capital and by far the largest city in the country.

The name ‘Stockholm’ easily splits into two distinct parts – Stock-holm, “Logislet”, but as no serious explanation to the name has been produced, various myths and legends have attempted to fill in the gap. According to a 17th-century myth the population at the viking settlement Birka decided to found a new settlement, and to determine its location had a log bound with gold drifting in Lake Mälaren

53

Archipelago

The Nordic countries are home to hundred thousand of islands. 10 000 years ago, by the latest Ice age the archipelago started to shape when the ice melted away and the ground started to rise. Today it is still being shaped by post-glacial rebound but it was not until the Viking Age the archipelago begun to shape to its present form. There are three countries around the globe that is considered having an archipelago. Sweden, Finland and Chile. These are unique places like nothing else and truly fantastic geological footprints on planet earth

54

Eckerö Post- & Tullhus The Eckerö Mail and Custom’s House was the Russian border post to Sweden for over one hundred years.

In 1636, Queen Christina of Sweden established a mail route between Sweden and Finland. Mail was transported by boat from Grisslehamn on the island Väddö in Sweden to Storby, Eckerö. The mail route continued over land across Åland via Hammarland, Finström, Jomala and Saltvik to Bomarsund in Sund. From there, the route

58

continued over land and sea via Vårdö, Kumlinge and Brändö to Gustav’s parish on the Finnish mainland.

and Carlo Bassi and is considered to be one of Engel’s most important architectural works.

After Sweden lost the war against Russia in 1808-09, Åland and the rest of Finland were incorporated into the Russian empire. The humble post office in Storby, which suddenly sat along Russia’s new border to the West, was not deemed grand enough to represent the empire and was replaced by a stately structure built in the Russian empirical style; it was completed in 1828. The building was designed by architects Carl Ludvig Engel

The building has belonged to the municipality of Åland since 1994 and is administered by the Government of Åland. Today the building is a tourist destination that is open seasonally. The main building houses the postmaster’s office, space for exhibitions and public events and living quarters for visiting artists. The north wing contains the mail route museum, maintained by Eckerö’s local heritage association

59

Postal route From 1638, under Queen Kristina’s rule, the historic Postal Route ran from Stockholm to Turku and on to St Petersburg across Åland. Åland was a part of the Swedish realm then. When the post began to be freighted directly between the cities in 1910, Åland was a part of the Russian empire. Åland farmers were responsible for transporting the post and travellers over the sea and for providing horses, accommodation and food on the way. The post was to get through all through the year, no matter what the weather was like.

There were cairns showing the mailboats the way at sea while milestones guided the postal farmers on land. Today there are information signs at interesting spots on the 65-kilometre-long route through nine municipalities in Åland. SONY DSC The old mail pier in Eckerö has gone, but it was situated approximately where the stone pier is today. A visit to the Postrotemuseet will tell you about the hardships suffered by the postal farmers. It is situated in the Post and Customs House, which dates back to 1828 and was designed by the same architect as was responsible for the Senate Square in Helsinki

61

People behind the scene

62

Thank you for being part of this and believing in our dream

Thank you again. We could never have done this without you. You are the most important piece of the puzzle

63

The first inhabitants came over the sea from the east

Borgboda

– Åland´s biggest fort hill

Borgboda is one of Åland’s most interesting prehistoric sites with archaeological remains from the Bronze Age until the early Middle Ages. About one thousand years ago Borge, the largest fort hill in the region, was surrounded by water in three directions and guarded a waterway from Kvarnboviken bay to Kyrksundet sound in Sund. Today, the waterway has vanished due to post-glacial rebound and now the hill is symbolically guarded by wooden figures, carved according to old Scandinavian models.

The path up to Borgberget passes through meadows where there are grazing animals from May until October. Ida’s cottage is a memorial to those who did not own any property and worked hard for the landowners. Ida Jansson gave birth to five illegitimate children, four of which she had to give away. Her cottage is always open to visitors

Åland is located strategically in the Baltic Sea in between Finland and Sweden. The highest part of Åland started rising from the sea some 10.000 years ago and as a result of the land rise Åland gradually grows. Island after island rose from the sea and when the first inhabitants came to Åland the land area was about 25 km2. The land elevation is ongoing and currently Åland is about 1500 km2.

The first inhabitants arrived some 6000 years ago. They came from the east and were a part of the pit-comb ceramic culture which got their name from the comb-like imprints that they decorated their clay pots with.

It was a long and probably hazardous journey to travel across the sea at that time and the questions that surround the journey are many. How did they

find the islands in the sea? What type of boats did they use – simple canoes or sturdier boats? Did the sea freeze over at that time, when the climate was warmer than today, so that they could possibly walk across the ice?

Also from the West There are no cer tain answers, but somehow they crossed the sea and settled in Orrdalsklint in Saltvik in the northern parts of Åland. In the area, archaeologists have found different settlements from a time span of 3500 years.

The Åland inhabitants in the Stone Age made a living from hunting and fishing and they caught for example seals and sea birds. Some 4500 years ago immigrants from the west, which were a part of the pitted-ware culture, also arrived.

The highets point in Åland Today Orrdalsklint, which stands 128 meters above the sea, is the highest point in Åland and on the slopes are traces of ancient shores. The sea level at that time was 55 meters higher than today.

Thriving landscape There are traces of Bronze Age villages (1500 - 400 B.C.) all over the main is land and als o in p ar t s of the archipelago. The most remarkable signs of the time are the cairn graves.

Finds from the Iron Ages (400 B.C. – 1000 A.D.) imply that Åland was a thriving landscape that traded well with the surrounding cultures. The coins that have been found are mostly of Arabic origin

65

The Vikings – Who were they?

About 1000 years ago Scandinavia was inhabited by people who were mostly farmers and fishermen. Norway, Denmark and Sweden did not exist as nations and the population was ruled by local kings and chieftains. Even if most of the people lived a calm but hard life as farmers, this was an era of many changes.

The population rapidly grew at the same time as the art of building ships developed, which contributed to a rise in the amount of sea journeys. Norse men travelled to trade with other countries and to explore and settle new land. But, also to raid and plunder. To go away by boat to raid was called ”go viking”.

To be a Viking more or less was the same thing as being a seaborne pirate.

Vikings were sometimes as feared back home as they were at the places they plundered. Even if these brutal Vikings only were a small part of the population they have given name to the historical period between late 700s and the 12th century; the Viking Age. Traders and settlers The Viking Age were a revolutionary period in the Nordic history. It was a time when the society went through many changes and when the contacts with the rest of the world were intense.

The population grew a lot followed by

66

a raise in trade. The increased trading activities did in turn lead to the founding of new cities and places for commerce – for example Hedeby and the well-known city Birka on the island Björkö outside Stockholm.

Birka did not grew organically as many other cities but was built with the intention to create an international trading centre. Here craftsmen and traders from all over the world were gathered.

That the trading flourished by this time did not only have to do with the growing population. It also had to do with a political change in the Mediterranean.

During the 700s the trade got more complicated and the demand for new routes between North Europe and the east grew. Traders were looking for new routes along the Russian rivers that became an important link between west and east. To control the rivers from the Gulf of Finland to the Black and the Caspian sea in the south made it possible to make a lot of money. Northerners settled down by rivers like Volchov and Dnepr were they allied with local chieftains. The name Russia is believed to come from northerners from Roslagen that further east were called Rus. The Vikings also settled in areas that had not been settled before, like Iceland and Greenland. They made attempts to

colonize North America but conflicts with people already living there probably made them withdraw.

It was not unusual that Viking chieftains conquered and obtained areas to manage and defend, for example Normandie and Dublin. In England the Vikings were so successful that a large part of the conquered land was ruled

by Danelagen, Danish law, during the late 800s and the early 900s.

Others travelled eastward and fought for the Prince of Kiev or the Emperor of Constantinople. The Emperor’s army was one of the European elite forces of the 9th and 10th century. Contacts were also merged with the Byzantine empire and its capital Constantinople, that the northerners called Miklagård. Which in old norse means big farm or big city.

Plunderers Exploration and expansion, colonization and trade opportunities led some of the people in the Viking Age out in the world where they made many impressions. But, it is for their brutal plundering that the Vikings are mostly famous and infamous. The 8th of June 793 the monastery Lindisfarne at the English east coast was attacked by Vikings. The attack often marks the star t of the Viking Era. During the

67

following years the Vikings kept attacking monasteries that lay unprotected by the shore lines. The defences in England and France, were weak. They lacked rulers and resources to defend themselves from the attacks that have been described as brutal and reckless.

individual couldn’t reach power and status on his own, he or she had to be part of a larger family. If someone within the family made something really bad and by that disgraced his or her family one could be excluded.

That was one of the worst things that could happen to you and deemed you to a difficult life without any support.

Excellent shipbuilders If the political situation in the rest of Europe was one of the contributing reasons for the vast expansion of the Vikings, another as important reason was that they were excellent seafarers and shipbuilders. The Viking Age Long ships were low and fast and could easily sail on shallow waters. A great advantage if you wanted to hide in a bay waiting for the right time to attack. That the rear of the Long ships was constructed in the same way as the front made it possible to leave the shore quickly. Sails was something new at this time and they were most probably made of wool. It was a very time-consuming labour involving many people and many sheep. Several farms did probably have to cooperate to make one sail. The ship building and the sail making demanded an organised society but did also make way for longer and faster journeys.

The society was divided into three classes.

Kings, chieftains and magnates were the rulers. A middle class consisted of warriors, craftsmen and masters. All these were free men who had a place and a voice at the Thing (assembly). The Thing was a place for trials, the establishing of laws and other political decisions.

The Viking Age Society If you didn’t belong to a family, you were nobody. Kinship and honour were extremely important during the Viking Age. The Viking Age family included many people and not everyone had to be related by blood ties.

These extended families were the core of the society and the members were expected to stick up for and protect each other. This also meant that if someone’s honour was disgraced, the family had to revenge. One

68

In the bottom of the society were the thralls (slaves) that were seen as commodities. As a thrall you were unfree and was not allowed to carry weapons.

Powerful women The women during the Viking Age were considered to be more or less equal to men. They were independent and could both own and manage property. Women could be mistresses of the farm, traders, crafters, maids and so on.

Above all, the women had a strong position at the farm. When the men were away on trade or looting journeys, the women had the responsibility for everything going on at the farm. They managed the staff, took care of the cattle etc. Keys are often found in women’s graves, both real ones for lockers and as jewellery which is believed to symbolize this great power over the house.

Women also had the right to divorce their husband, and to remarry. That children were

born outside of the marriage was not seen as shameful. In the written sources frillor are described; they were socially accepted mistresses that had some rights. Their children also had rights and could inherit.

When Christianity became the dominant religion during the Middle Ages the status of women were significantly decreased.

Old Norse Religion That thunder can be heard when Thor swings his hammer Mjölner and that Odin has his two ravens called Hugin and Munin is well-known to many. The Norse mythology is also what many people find the most fascinating with the Vikings. The Norse mythology that stemmed from paganism was not an organised religion though. It did not have a religious master or holy text, it had more to do with human actions, traditions and values. To keep up well with the Gods was a way to keep up well with nature. Exactly what people thought and believed in is of course impossible to know today and the majority of written sources on the mythology stems from oral tradition and tales that wasn’t written down until many years later.

Named norse gods and goddesses Some of the Norse gods were popular and had many followers. Thor, Frej and Ull were worshipped at many places. Others seem not to have been an object of worship at all. Loke and Balder fit into this category.

Many of the features and people that we associate with Viking religious observance are not really from the religious world at all. They are based on religious tales that continued to be told even after Christianity had won acceptance in the Nordic region.

That Thor is a fierce god who wants to slay giants, that Idun maintains the gods youthful with magical apples, that Loke causes mischief and gets the gods into trouble, and that Balder is killed by his brother Höder, are examples taken from folktales rather than religion. These tales were meant for entertainment during the Viking and the mediaeval periods: they were not religious writings.

Cult of ancestors and food sacrifices Ancestors were important. People who were able to, placed their dead relatives in grave mounds and buried them with goods. These objects tell us about the position of the dead person in society, and they make it clear that death was not seen as the end: it was the start of something new. It was believed that the deceased would need these items. After the funeral, the relatives could visit the mound and leave food sacrifices. In this way, they ensured that the departed would keep watch over the farm. This custom was deeply rooted in the population and lived on even after Christianity had become established. As time passed, people started to believe that wights and other supernatural beings lived in the mounds.

Protection, magic and sacrifice The ancestors protected the farm. The fylgjas were invisible beings with animal form that protected individual people. Magic was real, and destiny ruled. A person could never escape from the destiny that had been prepared for him or her. Archaeologists have concluded that there may have been celebrations or ritual meals at the time of the sacrifice. The bones of

animals such as horses and pigs are often found, and this has led to the suggestion that these animals were used in the rituals. Archaeologists have also found special buildings, like the one at Uppåkra in Skåne, that were used for the sacrificial rites.

Seeresses and prophecy A seeress, also known as a völva, had considerable spiritual power.

These women could see into the future and influence important events. No written sources from the pre-Christian time that describe how a völva worked have been found, but they are mentioned in many poems and tales that were written down later, and that are believed to be of old From paganism to Christianity Christianity arrived in the Nordic Region mainly for political and economic reasons and it gradually took over from the ancient Norse gods.

In Sweden, King Olof Skötkonung is usually considered to have been baptised remarkably early - around the year 1000. However, Christian kings were already reigning in Denmark and Norway at this time. In the

beginning Norse tradesmen began to get baptized to be able to trade with the British Isles and the Continent. When back home some of them kept worshipping their old gods too. At many places it seems like Christianity and paganism have existed side by side for quite some time.

The end of the Viking Age The later part of the 11th century is usually considered the end of the Viking Age. By this time the Nordic countries are, just like the rest of Europe, mostly Christian. During the years that has passed since the first raids at the British islands in the 700s and the 800s a lot has changed in Europe. The Vikings no longer had the lead in shipbuilding and the other countries had built up a stronger defence. The Viking king Harald Hårdråde tries to reinforce the Dane law in England in 1066. He loses the battle by Stamford bridge and dies. This is the end of strong Viking influence outside Scandinavia. Year 1066 is also known for the battle of Hastings. After the AngloSaxon army have defeated Harald Hårdråde they turn back to defend an attack by the Norman- French army lead by William the Conqueror.

This time they loose and a new era begins

69

The Viking Village Åland islands, in the middle of the Baltisc Sea has always attract explores form around the globe. It is believed to been inhabited for more than 6000 years. The Viking village is located in Saltvik. Saltvik was Ålands Vikinga Age center. They belive Kvarnbo, where you can find Saltvik where the old shopping mall for the vikinga age.

This is Vikingaliv’s very own rune stone that you carried all the way here. It is carved by Kalle Runristare (runristare means rune carver) using sledgehammer and chisel. A work

that has taken approximately one thousand hours.

What does the inscription say?

“Vikingaliv raised this s tone to show that cultural exchange, people’s willingness to establish new contacts and to find new settlements has always been a par t of human development.”

The runes are of the type called stung short twig runes. The ornaments are made in various styles and are created

especially for Vikingaliv. The motive in the middle is a copy of runestune U629 in Uppland. What the motive depicts is unknown, perhaps it is a picture from a forgotten saga.

The stone weighs about 6 500 kilos and comes from the ridge Löten at northern Munsö, Ekerö where it was moved by the ice more than 10 000 years ago. The stone contians quite a lot of quartz which makes it light, hard and durable. It will probably remain here for many thousands of years to come

71

Turku Founded in 1229, Turku is the oldest city in Finland, serving as the country’s first capital from 1809 to 1812.

After the largest city fire in the history of the Nordic countries (1827), the city was almost com-pletely rebuilt.

Turku is still the centre of local government, economy and culture in its region, and it served as one of two European Capitals of Culture in 2011.

The Castle and Cathedral are the two poles of historic Turku, between which just about every important site in the city can be found. Turku offers a great variety of interesting historic attractions, but visiting the archipelago is a one-of-a-kind experience.

72

Turku Castle in a nutshell Turku Castle is a more than 700 year old historical monument. It has stood guard over the river Aura estuary since the 1280’s. Its granite stone walls hold within them the history of Finland, Sweden and the other Nordic countries.

History in a nutshell The history of Turku Castle begins in the 1280’s. During the centuries the fortification gradually changed into a grand greystone palace.

In 1556, King Gustav Vasa named his son Johan Duke of Finland. The era of Johan marked a new phase in the construction of the Castle. The renaissance halls were

built during this period, which also marked the beginning of the reneissance era in Finland.

In the 17th century, the Governor General of Finland Per Brahe held court in the Bailey. Gradually the administrative centre moved out of the by then old castle, and gave way to a prison. It also served as a storehouse and as barracks.

In the 1941 bombings the castle was left in ruins. After the end of the war restaurations be-gan. Nowadays the periods of construction can be seen in labyrinthine passages, walled up doors and windows and in mysterious staircases

Eckerö Linjen

– the fastest way to Åland The year was 1961 when Rederiaktiebolaget Eckerö was founded and launched passenger traffic between Grisslehamn in Sweden and Eckerö in the Åland Islands. Eventually, the company adapted the name “Eckerö Linjen”.

This is the shortest route over to Åland - a route travelled long before it became available to tourists.

route between Sweden and Finland.

For many years, farmers from Väddö and Eckerö were responsible for the transportation of post over the sea, throughout the year, regardless of weather. Many of these postal carrying farmers lost their lives to the bitter cold and stormy seas. By the end of the 19th century, steamboats took over but it wasn’t until 31 December 1910 that the farmers were formally relieved of their post carrying duties.

The route between Grisslehamn and Eckerö forms part of the historical postal

Today, transportation over this route is considerably more comfortable and it

A journey along the historical postal route

takes just two hours for the Eckerö Linjen ferry M/S Eckerö to carry its passengers over the Sea of Åland. M/S Eckerö has several restaurants that serve dishes made from locally sourced and grown produce, a bar with daily entertainment and a well-stocked tax-free shop with everything from famous skincare and perfume brands, to drinks, confectionary and toys. Eckerö Linjen also sells holiday packages for individuals and groups from Sweden to Åland and can include everything from hotels, guest houses and approximately 350 holiday cottages on Åland

Grisslehamn Grisslehamn is a locality and port located on the coast of the Sea of Åland in Norrtälje Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden.

The name Grisslehamn was first mentioned in a document from 1376 about the mail route between Sweden and Finland. This Grisslehamn was located some 20 km south of today’s location.

In the mid-18th century, most of the

old village was destroyed in a fire, and it was decided to move Grisslehamn to its current location to make the mail route shorter. Conveying mail by row boat from Sweden to the Åland islands, whence it was transported to the Finnish mainland, was, together with fishing, one of the most important sources of income for the inhabitants of Grisslehamn and other parts of Roslagen for a long time, until steam ships took over the mail routes in the early 20th century.

Today the port is the Swedish terminal of the Eckerö Linjen ferries which cross to Berghamn on the island of Eckeröin the Åland islands.

The ar tist Alber t Engström had a s tudio in Gris slehamn, where he painted oils and water colours of the Roslagen landscape. He lived in the town for a number of years, and his home is now a museum of his life and work

75

Downtown Camper In the very heart of Stockholm, Scandic has opened a new signature hotel for urban explorers. Downtown Camper is located within walking distance from the Central Station and just around the corner from the best shopping, restaurants, parks, concert halls, theatres and museums.

This is your ultimate basecamp when visiting the city of Stockholm.

Enter the world of Downtown Camper, an inspiring lifestyle hotel with an atmosphere that fosters togetherness, creativity and curiosity and fuels an urge to explore. As a hotel guest you can take part in our daily activities, that range from fun and social running and yoga to wellness workshops and inspirational talks.

Our 494 guest rooms range from smart ‘sleep cabins’ to spacious suites with magnificent views over Stockholm. Are you travelling with friends and family? Try our connecting rooms with common living and dining area, for groups up to 12 people. Like home, but with all the comfort that a hotel can offer.

At Downtown Camper, luxury is not about appearances but about generosity, spending time together, inspiration and new experiences.

We know everything about Stockholm’s hidden gems, outdoor city adventures, the best urban natural spots and relaxing rooftop experiences. See Stockholm like never before – our Lifestyle Concierge will connect you with our community of local personalities and partners.

This is where local and world explorers meet

76

77

Sickla Slussar The Sickla Lock connects the salt sea of Stockholm with the two Nacka sweet water lakes Sicklasjön and Järlasjön. This route has an extensive history leading back all the way to the Vikings when it served as the main channel in to today’s big sweet water lake, Mälaren.

In the 1910’s and 1920’s the level of Hammarby Lake (now salt sea of Stockholm) was lowered with approximately 5 meters, requiring a 5 meter high lock towards the Nacka lakes. The lock was finished in 1930 and served the Nacka industries by the Sickla and Järla lakes. 70 years later the projecting of a new 6-file motorway over Sickla Canal threatened the lock which now mostly was used by smaller private boats. But by constructing a new channel facility, including a new complementary lock, the lock (now two locks to be accurate) was reopened in 2003

78

79

Rånäs Slott The history of Rånäs Slott (and the party-loving lord of the manor Oskar Axel Reuterskiöld)

Axel Nystrom, who trained in France and Italy, to design a Second Empirestyle manor.

The party-loving lord of the manor Oskar Axel Reuterskiöld gallops towards the royal capital in his four horse carriage. The gold coins clinking in his pocket will soon be put to use. New horses are waiting every ten kilometres as the current four become weary. If there are not enough horses, he sends the coachman back to Rånäs to fetch a new team.

Rånäs Slott was magnificent right from the time construction began, using the best craftsmen and the most beautiful decorations. Renowned Italian artists worked on the colourful paintings for the ceiling and walls of the manor. It was magnificent, but Axel Didrik never had the chance to enjoy its beauty, as he died before it was completed.

Later, it was 16-year-old Oskar Axel Reuterskiöld, grandson of the manor’s founder, who took on the role of lord of the manor.

The history of Rånäs actually began in the 18th century, when the area became a Walloon ironworks, but the foundations for the manor were not laid until 1833. Axel Didrik Reuterskiöld, a Marshal of the Court, hired the most influential court architect of the era, Per

80

Oskar Axel loved life at the manor and all its glamour. He threw extravagant parties, transporting his guests from Östra Station in Stockholm. He often

went to the Grand Hotel to drink and gamble away his family fortune. He is known as an ambitious man who built Rånäs Station, a dairy and a distillery, among other things, but he was also a harsh employer who kept a tight reign on his 40 staff. The manor stayed in the Reuterskiöld family until 1929, when it was sold to the city of Stockholm.

Almost 70 years later, in 1998, the manor was renovated as a hotel and modern meeting venue. Six months of long, intensive work were required to recreate the original feel of manor, with a floor for dancing, dining rooms for royal dinners, ornate stucco and heavy crystal chandeliers.

Today, Rånäs Slott is a magical and majestic venue for conferences, weddings, parties and weekends

81

Skogsรถn

82

83

William Seafoundation

The nightmare of my life On August 9, 2016 I woke up by the phone in the middle of the night. It was the police that asked if I was the mother of William Eriksson.

They explained that my son has been involved in a boat accident in Saltsjöbaden and his condition is very bad. As we speak he was transported by helicopter to Karolinska Hospital where he and his friends get medical care.

told by the doctors that his life could not be saved. How could this happen? Why did they take the boat when all the conditions were against? Where did all seawards take the road when this decision was taken? Yes, the questions are many and you can not accept the fact that your youngest son passed away. He who had all his life in front of him….

We want to lift their important activities in this way and the public will be able to ask questions and visit the boats/representatives

With that in mind, I wish that they had left the boat and taken a taxi home instead.

You can not describe the feeling you get when you are

84

Being able to meet, remember and just hang out and have fun together. That’s what Wille had wanted.

On August 25, 2018, we will finally have an anniversary at Restaurangholmen in Saltsjöbaden, as well as the Swedish Rescue Society Dalarö (which was in place at the accident), the Nacka seapolis and the Coast Guard to attend together with the Foundation’s three boats.

William and his friends were going from (an island nearby) from a event and decided to take the boat back. William is highly experience with boats since his childhood and know these waters in and out, but this evening it was very dark and heavy wind.

The night before we celebrated his 19th birthday and that he had graduated from school with dinner.

We have long been trying to find an opportunity / way to gather family, friends and acquaintances in memory of William.

After Robin (Big Brother to William) and I drove a local Swimrun event locally for the William Sea Foundation, the idea was made to arrange a short swim run that everyone can participate in

I dressed very quickly, and the police picked me up on the way from the accident to Karolinska Sjukhuset in Stockholm.

It was two young police officers who were noticeably taken from the accident and the situation. They tried to tell me all about the accident in a calm and sensible way and it was at that time I understood that it was critical for William.

William was driving with two of his friends heading home in a Rupert (RIB) and hit a unmarked ground outside Furuholmen. The boat flipped over and everyone flied out of the boat. Wille first hit the “control pulp” on the boat and then landed on the rocks. His two friends landed in the water and got injured but survived. The rescue team from Dalarö did everything they could and were on place in time trying to save them all. Police and ambulance were waiting ashore and they made a great rescue all together.

manning at favorable prices.

With sorrow and lack of Wille, we felt in every family that we need to do something to increase safety on the sea to avoid anyone to have an experience as this.

This led to the creation of the William Sea Foundation, which actively works to increase safety on the seas through education, maritime transport and the development of new security solutions.

As a member of the foundation you can engage yourself for a good purpose and take a step closer to safer sea life. You will have the opportunity to take advantage of the advantageous sea transport of our three Tärnskär 32, as well as train you in the field of navigation and sea

We have had training and information training for Wille Swimrun, where Staffan Björklund was several present and contributed a rewarding and inspiring evening.

Personally, I became so happy when I, as a mother to Wille, was asked if I could write a few lines about the William Sea Foundation in this book that you can share in all NIAR participants. The fact that the foundation can also be part of this competition as safety boats on the Åland Sea is so perfectly in line with the Foundation’s goal of increased safety on the lake Please read more about the foundation at www.williamseafoundation.se By the pen, Marie (Mom to Wille)

85

Arthur In November 2014, the sport of adventure racing reached the worlds media, maybe not because of the sport itself with all the unhumans test of super endurance by the extreme athletes.

The world got to see straight in to the soul of the sport, the power of team and willingness to sacrefase everything for each other or in this case a stray dog that became a member of team Peak Performance from Sweden.

Thrue knee deep mud, lost in the jungle and water to cross Arthur refused to leave the Swedish team. So after 6 days of competition they reached the finish line at Mompiche after 400 miles, not like 4 as they started but as 5 individuals that refused to give up.

Simon Niemi, Staffan BjÜrklund, Karen Lundgren and Mikael Lindnord couldn´t leave the new member to die of his wounds so they adopted him and took him home to Sweden.

What started with a few meatballs, was an revolution in Ecuador. It took almost 4 years but finally, Arthur Foundation could proudly announce that the LOBA law went trough April 2018, wish means that all animals and stray dogs now have the same animal rights they have here in Sweden

86

For a short wrap-up of the story we recommend you to see: www.espn. com/espn/feature/story/_/id/18804102/arthur-dog-completes-2014adventure-racing-world-championship-find-family

Swimrun

It all started with a drunken bet and late night in the bar at Utö Inn in the Stockholm archipelago.

They challenged each other; “the last team of two swimming and r u n n i n g t o Sa n d h a m n pays f o r hotel, dinner and beer”. The rest is history!

Since the first original Swimrun ra ce (Ö t i l l Ö) wa s o r ga n i ze d i n the Stockholm archipelago 2005 between Sandhamn and Utö, the s p o r t h a ve s e e n a n ex t e n s i ve g r ow t h . A m a t e u r s , s w i m m e r s , runners and t riat hletes have come to understand the pleasure

of combining the t wo spor ts in breathtaking environments, using just their own bodies and mind to conquer the course of swimming and running. Swimrunning have literally exploded as a new sport, not just in Sweden but also globally. Swimrun is here to stay!

89

St Olav Olav Haraldsson was born in Norway around year 995. As a young boy he struck out to conquer and explore as a Viking in the Baltic Sea, England and France. In Normandy he came upon religion and the Christianity for the first time. As a 20-year-old man he came back to Norway to claim the Norwegian thrown. As the Norwegian King he established the first law system that protected the weak people in the society. He built churches all around Norway. Olav strong as a strong monarch in combination with the new law

90

that could punish nobles and powerful people created dissatisfaction and enemies. 1028 th Olav had to leave as an exiled. After an attempt to take back the thrown 1030 he died during the battle in Stiklestad, north of Trondheim.

After his death wonders started to appear around his grave. Rumors off healing wounds began to spread and got linked to Olav’s death. Olav was considered a holy man and just one year after his death he became canon-

ized. Not long after Pilgrims started to come, and by the 1500 century Nidaros where the biggest pilgrim destination in northern Europe.

St. Olav, or Olof the saint, was the most important saint of the Nordic region, and united the Nordic countries during the Middle Ages. In his memor y they created the third longest pilgrim walk in the world between St: Petersburg, via Turku, Ă…land, Sundsvall to finish in Trondheim, Norway

The Baltic Sea The Baltic Sea is known as one of the coldest seas in the world with its 4C in average temperature. The Baltic Sea is a sea to the Northern Sea. The Baltic Sea has very limited ability of water exchange between the two country bodies of Sweden and Denmark. The sea drains through the islands of Denmark and Kattegat.

Due to this the Baltic Ocean is one of the polluted seas in the world, unfortunately. The water is brackish, meaning the sea has a salt level of 0,4 % compare to the rest of the worlds oceans with 4%. It would take more than 250 years for the water to be completely changed out though to the low water exchange.

The water is drinkable in case of emergency but nothing that is recommended. There is no such thing as tide in the Baltic Sea, the water level depends on high and low pressure and the moon. The Sea serve the home for more than 100000 ships wreaks. If you where about to draw a line between Stockholm, Mariehamn and Riga you will find more wreaks than within the Bermuda triangle

92

94

Tallink Silja and the Baltic Sea 61 years has gone by since Silja Line was founded in Turku in 1957, when the fleet consisted of two old steamboats, one for passengers and the other for cargo. Much has changed since 1957 as the steamboats have been replaced with specially designed ships for both passenger and cargo transport.

advanced hull shape and environmentally friendly fuel LNG (liquid natural gas); Megastar is the Baltic Seas most modern and most well developed vessel. The hull shape and the LNG results in significant fuel savings and a drastic reduction of nitrogen sulphur and carbon dioxide emissions.

Tallink and Silja Line are the world’s first shipping company to hold MSC certificates - the world’s most recognized environmental certification for well-maintained and sustainable fishing. Seafood served on board comes from viable stocks and caught by using sustainable methods.

In 2006, Silja Line was sold to AS Tallink Grupp, and today operations are conducted on routes between Sweden - Finland, Sweden - Estonia, Sweden - Latvia, and Estonia - Finland

In 2018, Tallink and Silja Line vessels are the most advanced and leading cruise ferries on the Baltic Sea and transport almost 10 million passengers annually on their routes. Unlike other actors, none of the Tallink and Silja Line vessels operate for entertainment or amusement purposes only. All ships offer a wide range of entertainment, and at the same time cargo services.

– Today, we have the most modern fleet on the Baltic Sea, satisfied customers and a strong international range of food, drinks, shopping and entertainment.

Throughout the years, commitment, professionalism, joy and cooperation has set the foundation for Tallink and Silja Line, and the vessels will for many years to come, continue to be the pride and glory of the Baltic Sea, says Marcus Risberg, CEO at Tallink Silja

Between 2002 - 2009, Tallink Grupp took seven completely new vessels into operation on the Baltic Sea. In January 2017, Tallinks new flagship Megastar was launched with its pioneering and

96

97

98

99

We thank our sponsors