Helen Wikmar

– Why do you want to participate in One Water Race?

Because this was a fantastic experience and such a fun and thrilling adventure! I’m longing to go back! I really got so disappointed when we had to abort this year, I think we made a mistake based on our limited experience of such a long race. We need to get back with all the new knowledge we learned these 38 hours. I think the whole team agrees that we made a too fast decision and that we could do much better in several aspects. I’m looking forward to racing the second night! Everyone kept asking us how we would handle the sleep deprivation and we didn’t have a chance to face our darkest thoughts…So this is still an unknown experience for all of us. How will we handle this? No one knows.

– Have you taken a similar challenge before?

Yes, we did OWR 2024 and chose to abort the race after 38 hours.

– What are your strengths?

I love to GRIND. The more miserable the stronger I get. One of my strengths is that I’m warm. I don’t get cold (so easily, it was freezingly cold last year!!) That’s a big advantage! I also love the team work aspect, that we will only function if everyone in the team is aiming for the same thing. How are you able to work together when you clearly have problems keeping yourself together?! I’m looking forward to meeting these challenges. I want to see what this race can do with our team and what we can do with this race. I’m thinking we’re a really great match – positive, eager, driven and we also have last year experience together and that’s such an advantage.

– What are your weaknesses?

I’m terrible at navigation, even if I try to learn, this is a real struggle for me… It seems like I have navigation-dyslexia. I don’t have any inner compass or any feeling of where I am…Fortunately I have others to rely upon.

– What would be your biggest challenges in this race?

To not neglect our feelings and listen to what we need in due time! To keep us warm! And the night navigation. But with this year’s experience I think we will have a chance to use the team’s gathered experience and be able to reach the lighthouse door at Landsort.

– Have you been to the Stockholm archipelago and what do you know/think about the terrain?

Yes, having done ÖTILLÖ WC and Utö many times has given me a good experience. Last year’s experience from OWR2024 made me longing to come back again.

– What are you most looking forward to, if you would participate in One Water Race?

The start! The feeling when we have the whole adventure ahead!!! It was amazing last year – I remember my thoughts during the second run – It’s crazy I’m out here with two of my best friends on a treasure hunt!