Helen Wikmar

– Race experience

2020 – Swam around all the islands in the northern archipelago of Gothenburg in total 65 km. 13 ÖtillÖ World Cup races with a place on the podium. 12 Ironman distances.

– 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’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?

OWR 2024 and OWR 2025.

– 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 freezing cold last year). That’s a big advantage! I also love the teamwork 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.

– 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. Previous experience from OWR 2024 made me long 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!”