TEAM NO 8 – Australia

Rob Preston

Gippsland

Merits

15 years Australian Orienteering team member
2 Orienteering World Championships, multiple World Cup events
25 Expedition Adventure Race finishes around the world
2011 Oceania Orienteering Champion
2016 World Rogaining Champion (24 hrs Orienteering, 1st place/mixed, 2nd place overall)
2016 Adventure Racing World Championship (2nd place)
2017 Adventure Racing World Championship (3rd place)
2018 Coast to Coast World Multisport Championship (10th place)
Ironman Boulder 2017 (8:20 finish time)
2019 Eco Challenge, Fiji (3rd place)

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

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt daunted by the huge challenge of an event like OneWater Race. Competing against 9 teams from around the world in a new event format is the type of challenge I’ve always been looking for.

– Have you taken a similar challenge before?

In the 2018 Nordic Islands Adventure Race, we completed a 90km swimrun section through the Aland Islands. This was one of the most challenging, and exhilarating legs of a race I have completed in 25 years of endurance racing. With our team of 4, we island hopped all through the night, often swimming with use of a compass and very few features to navigate by. Managing nutrition and water intake when carrying very little equipment allowing you to move efficiently made this leg a huge challenge.

– What are your strengths?

Navigation during long and sustained races. I’ve honed my orienteering background to be able to rise to the navigational challenges encountered in many different terrains around the world.

– What are your weaknesses?

Wanting to stop at any coffee shops we may run or swim pass. I get very grumpy without coffee.

– What will be your biggest challenge?

Finding enough time to add swimming training to an already busy family and work schedule but the hard work will pay rewards when we reach the start line.

– Have you been to the Stockholm archipelago?

Yes. I lived in Stockholm for 5 months a long time ago competing in Orienteering for the Söders SOL Tyresö so I’m familiar with the local forests and terrain. I was lucky to visit the archipelago for summer picnic and kayaking trips.

– What do you know/think about the terrain?

The Swedish forests are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. The glacial rocks and small island dot the horizon as far as you can see and create a perfect environment for a self-powered challenge such as the OneWaterRace. Route choice will be crucial to keep swimming legs to a minimum if possible, and to utilize any existing roads on the larger islands.

– What are you most looking forward to?

Enjoying the long daylight hours so show the amazing landscape of the archipelago.