Raid Gallaecia - The 2021 Adventure Racing World Championship
Quick Questions with the Swedish Armed Forces Team Ahead of ARWC
Rob Howard / 23.09.2021
ARWC is just around the corner and many teams have started their journey towards A Coruña and the Adventure Racing World Championships 2021!
Five quick questions with one of the winners of this year's ARWS ”NIAR in Sweden”. We talk to the team captain for SAFAT or Swedish Armed Forces Adventure Team, John Karlsson.
Have you raced Raid Gallaecia before?
- No-one in the team has raced the competition, but we have competed in Spain before when Bimbache was an ARWS competition. However, I think the competition will suit us and the European teams. Despite the hilly terrain, the temperature and the map are similar to what we are used to.
How have you been preparing?
- After the NIAR race in the beginning of June, we have focused on ARWC. Hill training and other adaptation to what awaits. You probably always feel that you want to be more prepared, but I feel that I and the team have been more prepared than now!
What are your expectations?
- I think this will be one of the closest years ever. It is difficult to see who are favourites. We are there to do our utmost and have high expectations of our team.
What do you think about the layout of the competition when you have received the distances?
- The logistics plan looks simple on paper and it is easy to underestimate the course. They are long distances so it is important to plan well and take care, and it can be a long way to the possibility of resupply. I really like that you can decide for yourself when and how long you should sleep, it opens up more tactics. It is back to basics and I think it makes the competitions safer when you sleep when you need it and don`t fight too long before you sleep on a designated location. (No more sleep card)
What are your strengths?
- We work in the military, and are used to being out for a long time, and maybe that is why we usually have a good late race push. We have been involved in the adventure race series for a very long time and know some good navigation is the key for a good result.
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