Challenge Family heading to Sweden with Challenge Vansbro

February 17, 2020

With the focus on high quality racing and the beautiful nature of Sweden, CHALLENGE FAMILY announces a brand new race: CHALLENGE VANSBRO. This Middle Distance race will be introduced in 2021 and is the result of a partnership with open water swimming competition Vansbrosimningen and Vansbro Triathlon. The first edition of CHALLENGE VANSBRO will take place on 4th July, 2021.

“You couldn’t find a better race venue to showcase the beauty of Sweden”, says Olympic silver medallist and CHALLENGE VANSBRO ambassador Lisa Nordén. “I’m super excited about CHALLENGE FAMILY coming to Sweden and Vansbro. I love this area and the nature around Vansbro is amazing. It’s a small community used to hosting big races and the course will be flirting with the athletes. I think the experience with the mix of the forest and nature together with the crowd and community will be what really puts CHALLENGE VANSBRO on the map.”

CHALLENGE VANSBRO will focus on the amazing race venue, but also on tradition. “As an athlete at CHALLENGE VANSBRO, you’ll be part of a long-standing tradition in Sweden’s most cheerful triathlon event”, says Race Director Clas Björling.  “Vansbro Triathlon’s ambition has always been to ensure that all participants and spectators get a great experience around the event where fellowship and joy have been in focus before the competitive side of the race. This focus will remain although we change our name to CHALLENGE VANSBRO.”

This tradition named by Björling, was also very important for CHALLENGE FAMILY’s CEO Jort Vlam. “As an endurance sports organisation and endurance athletes ourselves, we have a lot of respect for the great legacy of the famous Vansbrosimningen. The tradition of the long open water swim lasts already for 70 years. Each year the event inspires fourteen thousand swimmers to participate and the whole local community is involved. We recognise our CHALLENGE FAMILY values in them, so we are really proud to partner with Vansbro.”

Tomas Viker, general secretary at Vansbrosimningen, assures that the dedication of the team will remain. “CHALLENGE FAMILY is an internationally well known brand whom, with its focus on festival, family and community, fits well for Vansbrosimningen and our values. The partnership with CHALLENGE FAMILY implies that Vansbro Triathlon, from 2021, will change its name to CHALLENGE VANSBRO, but the race will be delivered by the same dedicated team.”

About CHALLENGE FAMILY

CHALLENGE FAMILY is one of the fastest growing global triathlon series. With almost 40 full and middle distances in 26 different countries, CHALLENGE FAMILY is changing the face of triathlon around the world. Due to spectacular courses in iconic destinations, no CHALLENGE FAMILY race is like another. Focusing on delivering the race of a lifetime to athletes of all ages and abilities, CHALLENGE FAMILY races provide memorable experiences that capture all the excitement and emotions of this inspirational sport.

About Vansbrosimningen

Vansbrosimningen is one of the largest open water events in the world with challenges and experiences for everyone. The first edition of the 3k river swim was held in 1950. Over time a 1k, 10k and junior swim have become popular additions to the event. Recently the Vansbro Triathlon has been added to the race program. Since 2014 the event attracts more than 14.000 participants per year.  Vansbrosimningen is part of the “Swedish Classic” which also includes crosscountry skiing (Vasaloppet, 90 kilometers), biking (Vätternrundan, 300 kilometers) and running (Lidingöloppet, 30 kilometers).