Swedeman Xtreme Triathlon
Åre, Sweden · July · Other (XTRI World Tour)
Why people love it
- Swim finishes beneath Sweden's largest waterfall
- Trail run up and over Åreskutan (about 1,420 m (4,660 ft) / 4,660 ft)
- Qualifier for Norseman and the XTRI World Championship
- Small field (about 250) and quiet roads
Watch out for
- Cold lake (13-16 °C (55–61 °F) / 55-61 °F) with undercurrents
- Support crew and support runner required
- Snow and ice can persist on the upper trail
- Sources disagree on bike gain (2,000-2,500 m (6,560–8,200 ft) / 6,600-8,200 ft) and swim venue
- Very few independent race reports exist
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 27% of the overall score.
- Racer satisfactionLoved4.1
Few accounts (Slowtwitch 2018 and finisher posts), but all are positive on the scenery and course. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.7
An established XTRI World Tour format. Little first-hand feedback either way. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyExperts only1.0
A support crew and support runner are required, and it qualifies for Norseman. Not a first full. · High confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialVery slow1.2
205 km (127 mi) with about 2,400 m (7,900 ft) of gain and a 99% trail run. The 2018 winner took 12:00, 10th place 13:24. · High confidence
- Course easeExtreme1.3
A cold lake, 2,400 m (7,900 ft) of bike gain and a mostly-trail 43 km (27 mi) run with 1,700 m (5,600 ft) of gain. · High confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalAlmost always4.9
Water is 13-16 °C (55-61 °F), far below the 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) limit. · Medium confidence
- Water temperatureUncomfortable1.8
Typically 13-16 °C (55-61 °F). 16 °C (61 °F) was reported in 2018 and the organiser quotes 13-14 °C (55-57 °F). · Medium confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm3.5
A lake swim, but wind was present in 2018 and the organiser warns of undercurrents. · Low confidence
- Swim easeModerate3.0
3.8 km (2.4 mi) in cold water with an undercurrent warning. No detailed accounts. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat4.4
The finish beneath Sweden's biggest waterfall is the headline feature. The steep 400 m (1,300 ft) run to T1 is a bit awkward. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed3.2
Described as varied country and wilderness roads. No specific surface reports. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed2.8
Quiet rural roads with reindeer and moose risk. Closures are not confirmed and roads are likely open. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful4.4
Slowtwitch and listings praise the Jämtland wilderness views. · Medium confidence
- WindSome wind2.6
Strong winds were noted at the 2018 inaugural edition, in an exposed mountain valley. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedVery slow1.4
205 km (127 mi) with about 2,400 m (7,900 ft) of gain, plus wind and cold. Leaders took about 12 hours overall. · Medium confidence
- Bike flatnessHilly1.6
Gain is quoted at 2,000-2,500 m (6,600-8,200 ft) depending on source. About 2,400 m (7,900 ft) is the working figure. · Medium confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts3.3
Mountain roads and descents, but not Alpine-switchback severity. No detail. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportSparse1.6
A mountain trail. Support is mostly your own crew, plus a few spectators at the summit station and the Åre finish. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsThin2.0
The trail run relies largely on your personal crew and support runner. Official aid detail not found. · Low confidence
- Run scenerySpectacular4.7
Mountain trail and the Åreskutan summit (about 1,420 m (4,660 ft) / 4,660 ft) with long views. · Medium confidence
- Run conditionsBrutal1.2
Technical trail, a rocky descent, possible snow and ice, and a support runner mandated for 12 km (7.5 mi). · High confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessBig climbs1.1
About 1,700 m (5,600 ft) of gain on 99% trail, finishing over Åreskutan. · High confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
- Air temperatureWarm or cool2.6
Typically 8-20 °C (46-68 °F), with 12-15 °C (54-59 °F) and wind at the 2018 start. Cool. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityUnsettled2.3
Mountain weather: wind, cold, and possible snow and ice on the upper trail. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyLovely4.4
A waterfall swim finish, Jämtland wilderness and a mountain summit. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlyTricky2.3
A remote bike course and mountain run, with some viewing at the swim waterfall and the Åre finish. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeLow3.8
The village is about 380 m (1,250 ft), and the run tops out near 1,420 m (4,660 ft), below the 1,500 m (4,900 ft) mark. · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood4.0
A large ski-resort bed base in summer shoulder season. Not confirmed with race-week data. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.3
Booking sites score Åre hotels 7.8-9.2 out of 10. Summer prices not verified. · Low confidence
- WalkabilitySome driving2.6
The swim, T1 above the waterfall and the mountain run are at different locations, so shuttles and a car are needed. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection2.8
Åre Östersund Airport is about 85 km (53 mi) away with limited flights, or take a train to Åre. Bike transport is manageable. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsFiddly1.5
Multiple transition areas, a mandatory support vehicle, crew and runner. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood4.3
Åre is Sweden's best-known mountain resort town, with many restaurants. · Medium confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Åre, Jämtland, Sweden
- Typical month
- July
- Latest or next date
- 10 July 2027
- Organiser
- Other (XTRI World Tour)
- Field size
- About 250 athletes
- Entry fee
- About $570
- First held
- 2018
- Distances
- 3.8 km (2.4 mi) swim, 180 km (112 mi) bike, 42.2 km (26.2 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Lake Öster-Noren (finish beneath a large waterfall) (lake)
- Water temperature
- 13–16 °C (55–61 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Legal
- Swim start
- mass
- Bike climbing
- 2,400 m (7,870 ft)
- Run climbing
- 1,700 m (5,580 ft)
- Run shade
- Mostly open mountain terrain above treeline near the summit.
- Air temperature
- 8–20 °C (46–68 °F)
- Humidity
- Low to moderate
- Altitude
- 380 m (1,250 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Åre Östersund Airport (OSD), 85 km (53 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Åre village / Åre Strand (train station, restaurants), Björnen / Copperhill area
- Booking
- Åre is a major ski resort with large summer capacity; summer is shoulder season so availability is generally good (inferred, not confirmed by organiser).
What racers and reviewers say
- SlowtwitchRaced 2018 · article · Positive
Report on the first edition: 185 started and 153 finished after a 5 am start in windy, cool conditions. Swim ended beneath Sweden's biggest waterfall, followed by a steep wooded run to T1, then a 205 km (127 mi) ride and a mostly trail run with heavy climbing. The writer calls it a challenging course with stunning views and notes the benefit of having the roads to yourself.
- Zone3 (event swim partner)Raced 2021 · article · Positive
Sponsor announcement (promotional, not a race report) describing the swim in Lake Öster-Noren with undercurrents and temperature changes, an average August water temperature of 14 °C (57 °F), and a steep 400 m (1,300 ft) climb to T1. Confirms Swedeman as Norseman and XTRI World Championship qualifier.
- Forever Tri (athlete post, LinkedIn summary)blog · Mixed
Only the search-result summary was visible (full LinkedIn text not read). The athlete frames finishing as a story of the plan falling apart and carrying on, thanking a support crew who joined them at the finish after the waterfall swim, tough wilderness bike and mountain trail run. Treat as thin evidence.
- Hotels.com / Trip.com (Åre hotels)hotel-review · Positive
Åre lodging scores on booking sites: Copperhill Mountain Lodge about 9.1-9.2/10, Holiday Club Åre about 7.8-8.0/10 with walking access to town and train, Hotell Fjällgården and Granen around 9.0. Reviews are mostly winter stays, so summer race-week experience is unverified.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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