Björn Rydvall
Björn was born in Knaften (Lycksele), but now lives in Kont, by Umeå Rivermouth 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 loves long cross country ski races such as Vasaloppet, even though he only knows how to double pole… 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 inspired by those that do their own thing really well. 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 dried Moose meat, licourice and Mountain House spaghetti bolognaise.
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
2013
1st BAMM70, Björkliden, Sweden
1st Swedish Championships, Helags, Sweden
1st Haglöfs Åre Extreme Challenge, Sweden
1st ARWS Expedition Africa, South Africa
2012
1st The OMM Original Mountain Marathon, England
3rd Adventure Racing World Championship, France
2nd APEX (ARWS), Switzerland
1st BAMM70, Björkliden, Sweden
2011
2nd Adventure Racing World Championship Tasmania
1st APEX (ARWS) Switzerland
1st BAMM70 Björkliden
6th Åre Extreme Challenge
2010
3rd Adventure Racing World Championship Spain
1st Explore Sweden (ARWS)
1st European Championship (Le Grand Tour)
1st Polar Adventure Race Stockholm
7th Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge
1st BAMM70
4th LAMM Elite (Scotland)
2009
3rd BAMM70
2nd Oringen Multi
3rd Swedish Championship
2008
1st Explore Sweden (ARWS)
6th Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge
1st Swedish Championship
1st BAMM70
2nd Oringen Multi
1st Hestra Adventure Race
2nd KFUM Multisport
2007
1st Åre Extreme Challenge
1st Stockholm Adventure Race
1st Falu Multisport Race
1st Norrlandsknäcket
2nd Hestra Adventure Race
4th OMM Elite (Scotland)
2nd Swedish Championship
33rd Vasaloppet
2006
3rd Adventure Racing World Championship (Hemavan)
2nd Bimbache Extreme (ARWS) Spain
5th Nuevo Leon Adventure Challenge Mexico
2nd Nordic Adventure Championship
4th Åre Extreme Challenge
3rd Swedish Championship
72nd Vasaloppet
2005
2nd Raid Series Norway/Sweden
2nd Explore Sweden (ARWS)
4th Extreme Adventure Hidalgo
13th Raid Series Andorra
6th Åre Extreme Challenge
1st Vertex winter
1st Vertex uphill race
2004
1st Tieto Enator Adventure
1st City Challenge Stockholm
6th Åre Extreme Challenge
3rd Fjällräven Extreme Marathon
43rd Vasaloppet
2003
1st Spero Challenge
1st Åre Alpine Marathon
7th Åre Extreme Challenge
3rd OMM Elite
4th City Challenge
68th Vasaloppet