Björn was born in Knaften (Lycksele), by Öreälvens source, but now lives in Kylören, by Öreälvens mouth in the Baltic Sea. He lives with teammate Josefina and their dog Lo. Björn is the captain of Team Silva and has been on the team since 2003. He has a background in orienteering and ski-orienteering and today even competes in long cross country ski races such as Vasaloppet, even if his roller skis are now looking a bit rusty as his summer training now consists of kayak, MTB and running. As soon as the chance arises Björn disappears into the mountains, with touring skis or with a fly fishing rod. Björn has a weakness for full bodied red wine, single malt whiskey and woodchopping, although luckily he usually doesn't dabble in all three activities at the same time.

Interview

Where did you grow up?

Born in Knaften, Lycksele, but moved to the flatlands near Umeå when I was 10. I still live in the flatlands although I always long to be in the mountains...

Idols?

Don’t have any real idols, but I’m impressed by those that do their own thing really well- like Daniel Tynell, Chris Forne and Laleh... I'd love to have my training mate Martin Rosvalls thought and training focus, then I'd get even more done!

What was your first Adventure race?

I was a last minute replacement for Team Silva (not the same Team Silva that I race in today) for the Arctic Circle Traverse in 2002. After racing over 800km from Riksgränsen to Boden and with several black toes and experiences I was hooked. We won but that was thanks to my experienced teammates Anders Widegren and Peter Juthberg. I started out but only packing energy bars, all the same flavor, on the first 120km running leg and ate other food the rest of that season... these days I try to have a more varied diet when racing.

Little known / unlikely fact about yourself?

Played the violin for ten years and sang in a boys' choir.

What you will do when your knees finally give out?

Start making home made fishing flies again - haven't had time for the last ten years.

Occupation?

I work as an environmental consultant and do contract work for the outdoor industry.

Worst Adventure racing experience?

Put my foot I the wrong place on a ridgetop in Abu Dhabi in 2007 and fell over the edge. Got away with a broken femur, a crooked back and a smashed shoulder.

Biggest "blow"?

Rode hard at high altitude in the Raid Series in Les Arcs (Francee) 2006. Two stages later I went from feeling like superman to crawling on all fours- sorry again Martina, Micke and Johan!

Favourite Adventure Racing food?

Keeps changing over the years. Just now the favourites are Brie cheese, licourice and Mountain House spaghetti bolognaise.

Best support crew moment?

Sonny and Jossa's pasta carbonara in Explore Sweden 2010!

Favourite Race?

I've got lots of good memories, but I often think of Multi Mike's (Mikael Lindnord of Team Axa Adidas) Explore Sweden races (how can somebody so uninterested nature set such beautiful courses?). BAMM in Björkliden is also a favorite.

Results

2011

Adventure Racing World Championship Tasmania 2nd
APEX (ARWS) Switzerland 1st
BAMM70 1st
Åre Extreme Challenge 6th

2010

Adventure Racing World Championship Spain 3rd
Explore Sweden (ARWS) 1st
European Championship (Le Grand Tour) 1st
Polar Adventure Race Stockholm 1st
Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge 7th
BAMM70 1st
LAMM Elite (Scottland) 4th

2009

BAMM70 3rd
Oringen Multi 2nd
Swedish Championship 3rd

2008

Explore Sweden (ARWS) 1st
Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge 6th
Swedish Championship 1st
BAMM70 1st
Oringen Multi 2nd
Hestra Adventure Race 1st
KFUM Multisport 2nd

2007

Åre Extreme Challenge 1st
Stockholm Adventure Race 1st
Falu Multisport Race 1st
Norrlandsknäcket 1st
Hestra Adventure Race 2nd
OMM Elite (Scottland) 4th
Swedish Championship 2nd
Vasaloppet 33rd

2006

Adventure Racing World Championship (Hemavan) 3rd
Bimbache Extreme (ARWS) Spain 2nd
Nuevo Leon Adventure Challenge Mexico 5th
Nordic Adventure Championship 2nd
Åre Extreme Challenge 4th
Swedish Championship 3rd
Vasaloppet 72nd

2005

Raid Series Norway/Sweden 2nd
Explore Sweden (ARWS) 2nd
Extreme Adventure Hidalgo 4th
Raid Series Andorra 13th
Åre Extreme Challenge 6th
Vertex winter 1st
Vertex uphill race 1st

2004

Tieto Enator Adventure 1st
City Challenge Stockholm 1st
Åre Extreme Challenge 6h
Fjällräven Extreme Marathon 3rd
Vasaloppet 43rd

2003

Spero Challenge 1st
Åre Alpine Marathon 1st
Åre Extreme Challenge 7th
OMM Elite 3rd
City Challenge 4th
Vasaloppet 68th