Swedish Armed Forces Victory Marks Legendary Moment in Subaru Canada Adventure Racing Championship: Here’s What You Need to Know

The Subaru Canada Adventure Racing World Championship 2025, a grueling 10-day race held across the spectacular landscapes of British Columbia, came to an exhilarating close as the Swedish Armed Forces Adventure Team (SAFAT) emerged victorious, securing their third Adventure Racing World Championship title. With 56 teams from 26 countries competing, the event is widely regarded as one of the most physically and mentally demanding tests in the world of sports.

Held in the picturesque Okanagan region, the race showcased the beauty and intensity of British Columbia’s natural landscapes. The competition unfolded across some of the most rugged terrains on Earth, featuring challenges in mountains, forests, rivers, and glacial alpine areas. Teams of four racers worked tirelessly, navigating through these difficult terrains over the course of 10 non-stop days. The course was a test of endurance, requiring participants to push themselves to the brink of exhaustion while staying focused on the task at hand: completing the course and crossing the finish line in Penticton.

The official course was 800 kilometers long, incorporating multiple stages such as trekking, mountain biking, pack rafting, and whitewater paddling. While participants did not know the full details of the course until the day before the race began, they were given one important clue — it would start in Pemberton, a small town located seven hours north of Penticton. The uncertainty and unpredictability of the course only heightened the challenge, adding a thrilling layer of strategy and surprise to an already punishing competition.

Alex Man, the course designer, shared that the goal of the race was to highlight the most distinctive features of British Columbia. He emphasized that racers should experience glaciers, take on world-class single-track mountain biking, paddle through rushing rivers, trek through challenging bushwhacking areas, and marvel at the stunning scenery that the province offers. The course fulfilled these promises, offering a truly immersive experience.

The race began with mountain biking along the single-track trails in Pemberton, which are considered some of the best in the world. From there, teams trekked into glacial alpine terrain before embarking on an 80-kilometer pack-rafting stage across Carpenter and Seton Lakes. Following this, teams faced a whitewater river descent, battling the high volume rapids of the Thompson River and the technical challenges of the Nahatlatch River. Throughout the event, participants found themselves on a fast-paced journey across British Columbia’s diverse landscapes, encountering both natural beauty and brutal challenges.

One particularly memorable aspect of the race was the stop at the historic Hat Creek Ranch, where teams participated in a tree-planting task and learned about the indigenous cultures of British Columbia. The route took them through the lands of five different Indigenous peoples, providing a cultural experience as well as a physical one. The final crux of the race was a 62-kilometer alpine trek, which involved tough bushwhacking where some teams averaged only 1 km per hour and a rope descent down Vicuna Peak.

After 116 hours and 6 minutes of non-stop racing, the Swedish Armed Forces Adventure Team crossed the finish line in Penticton, securing their third World Championship title. This victory cemented their place as one of the most successful teams in adventure racing history. The team’s victory was marked by their exceptional coordination, perseverance, and the ability to adapt under pressure. The four team members — Malin Hjalmarsson, John Karlsson, Per Vestling, and Erik Jonsson — each played a crucial role in the team’s success.

For Per Vestling, this victory was particularly special, as it marked a successful return to Canada, where he had competed in the 2004 World Championship in Newfoundland. Back then, his team finished second by just 20 seconds. This time, however, there was no stopping SAFAT from claiming their third title. Team Captain John Karlsson explained that they had prepared meticulously, understanding which stages of the race would be the most challenging. The final 62 kilometers were particularly brutal, with difficult bushwhacking and the technical rope descent, but the team kept pushing forward, motivated by the knowledge that every team would face the same struggles.

In terms of sleep deprivation, the team was pushed to their limits. They went without sleep for the first two nights and then managed to squeeze in just four hours of rest due to a dark zone stop. Throughout the remainder of the race, sleep was a luxury that only came in short bursts. The mental and physical fatigue that sets in during such long races is immense, but it is precisely this challenge that makes adventure racing so rewarding for those who finish.

While the Swedish Armed Forces Adventure Team came out on top, the competition was fierce. The Estonian ACE Adventure/La Sportiva team secured second place, while the defending champions 400team LSN from France rounded out the top three, making it an all-European podium. Other strong performances came from Team Sardine Racing of New Zealand and Bend Racing/4 Hour Fuel of the United States, who completed the top five. The top 20 positions saw teams from 13 different nationalities, underscoring the truly global nature of adventure racing.

The event not only showcased the talents of the athletes but also the dedication and passion of the race volunteers and the communities along the course. Many volunteers traveled from across the world to lend their support, while local communities hosted racers and volunteers, offering everything from shelter to food and encouragement. This sense of global camaraderie was one of the most inspiring aspects of the championship.

The Subaru Canada Adventure Racing World Championship 2025 is a shining example of the global appeal of adventure racing. With over 80 races held around the world as part of the Adventure Racing World Series, the sport continues to grow. The next World Championship will be hosted in Corsica, offering teams new challenges and opportunities to push their limits in a completely different environment.

As the 2025 event draws to a close, the Adventure Racing World Championship remains one of the ultimate goals for athletes in the sport. The race brings together individuals from different cultures, all united by the desire to push their bodies and minds to the limit while exploring some of the most beautiful and remote places on Earth.