Faris Al-Sultan to race ÖTILLÖ
Faris Al-Sultan retired in May 2015 after a successful professional triathlon career. But the 2005 Kona champ and 7x Ironman winner is seeking out a new challenge in the growing sport of swimrun. With teammate in tow, the German will tackle the challenging 75 total kilometer ÖTILLÖ event on Monday.
SLOWTWITCH: How have you been spending most of your time these days?
FARIS AL-SULTAN: Still training, being a brand ambassador for crivit Pro, coaching a few pros and spending time with the kids.
SLOWTWITCH: How did you first hear about ÖTILLÖ?
FARIS: I saw it on TV and it didn't take long in spite of my hating cold water and not being keen on running that long.
SLOWTWITCH: Given your background and career in long distance triathlon racing have you found the training similar or quite different? If different, how so?
FARIS: I haven't trained a lot. I've been swimming and running constantly and did two long runs and a few swim sessions with more than 5 km. I did a few swim and run sessions but having been a triathlete for so long it hasn't been a big thing. Obviously in the race with a partner and the conditions it's going to be different.
SLOWTWITCH: Your teammate for ÖTILLÖ was listed as Werner Leitner, but you recently told us about a teammate change. Can you tell us what happened and what your new racing plan is?
FARIS: Unfortunately Werner, my longtime friend, former pro and former manager of our Abu Dhabi Triathlon Team had a medical. Now I'm teaming up with Peter Oom a Swedish age-group triathlete and ÖTILLÖ finisher. I'm sure we get along and manage.
SLOWTWITCH: Have you sought out advice from any top swimrun athletes or did you do most of your own trial and error research?
FARIS: Both. I had the pleasure to meet Jonas Colting out of the blue back home at an outdoor pool in Munich and drain info from him. I met Marcus Hultgren at Playitas and was in touch with Marcus Rössel who shares his experiences about swimrun on Slowtwitch.
SLOWTWITCH: What types of equipment will you be using in Sweden?
FARIS: I go pretty raw. I use an Aquasphere long-sleeve wetsuit prototype, goggles and maybe paddles. No pull buoy, no drink bladder, and still no compression socks.
SLOWTWITCH: We saw you won a 19k swimrun event in Rheinberg, Germany in July with Werner. Was this your first swimrun event? What did you learn?
FARIS: Yes it was, and it was great. You need a rope if the swim performance is different. We forgot ours and would have done much better.
SLOWTWITCH: With your lengthy list of career accolades as an IRONMAN Hawaii World Champion and 7x IRONMAN and long-distance triathlon winner, do you see yourself as a favorite to compete for the win at ÖTILLÖ? Or do you have different goals for this race?
FARIS: No I told Paul Krochak, the defending winner of the race, if I wanted to be in winning shape I would need to train on a different program. I don't know a lot about my new partner Peter but I'd like to be solid.
SLOWTWITCH: Anything else you’d like to add about your perceptions of swimrun?
FARIS: I think it's a lot of fun. Personally I think without a wetsuit in warmer areas it's even more fun.
Faris is one of a handful of current or former pro triathletes on the start line of 2016 ÖTILLÖ. Others include David Thompson (USA), Sara McLarty (USA), Mika Luoto (FIN), Teemu Lemmettylå (FIN), Jonas Colting (SWE), Fraser Cartmell (GBR), Björn Andersson (SWE) and defending champ Paul Krochak (CAN).
2x Kona champ Chris McCormack has been on the start list since January when the merit team selections were made. But now sadly his team is no longer listed.
