By: Emma Wichardt

Among all the professional top teams of the world racing at Explore Sweden there is one team that sticks out. A little younger, a little less experienced. Friends from college that have always trained and raced together for the fun of it. With no sponsor paying for the race fee, and airfare, the team has saved their money for quite some time. Saving to go to an adventure of a lifetime...

They are all good athletes that have raced competitively in biking and running all over America. But their experience of expedition length races is not as strong as other teams. Their best experience is from the Southern Traverse in 2003, where they placed 8th out of 30 something teams. A great experience that proved that they actually could be up there fighting with the best. And also at Appalachian Extreme 2002 where they placed fourth and beat Team Montrail and other really good professional teams.

Their goal here at Explore Sweden is to finish the race and have a good time. They are not really intimidated by the strong field of racers, because normally there would be about 50 teams, both professionals and amateurs. Here it just so happens to be that they are the only amateurs in a very small field of racers.

Team captain Scott thinks it is going to be a very challenging course, with real low points where they are wet, cold and miserable. That is when their good team dynamics will play an important part. Teammates are going to have to pull each other through. But he also expects many highpoints with beautiful scenery. "I'm excited to be exploring a new landscape, and it has a special meaning since I'm moving here in July", says Scott. "I think we are going to surprise some folks. No one recognizes us, we will probably drop back at the start, but be strong at the end if we can stick at it. And I'm excited to have my girlfriend waiting at the finish line."

Cary, the girl on the team, is both excited and nervous. She hates the start of races. "They are nerve-racking, and it always starts out at a very fast pace. After the race settles into pace it is tons of fun! We like racing together and are here to enjoy it".

The least experienced on the team is Jason, or "Shibby". This will be his first expedition length race and he is nervous about being the weak link in the team. But then he corrects himself; "That will really be no problem here. We get along so well and know each other since college. We will be really good at helping each other, so I really don't have to worry about that." Shibby has wanted to do expedition length races for so long, but it takes so much planning and so much money. "You can't do it by yourself. You need people you know and trust. If it goes well I'd like to keep doing it," he says.

Unfortunately it has not started out so good for them. Grant's baggage was lost by the airline at some airport in Europe. For two days the airline had no idea of where the gear was. When the team arrived at Kittelfjäll late last night they still had not located the gear. Tonight, only 17 hours before the race start, two of his bags showed up. He is still missing his skis, but they are supposed to get here late tonight. But Grant doesn't let this affect his mood. He is still his happy self, always cracking jokes to cheer up the team as they are getting their stuff together.

The team is excited about a strategic decision that might turn out to be really smart, or really stupid. That is to bring slick tires to use on the mostly paved roads. It looks like they are the only team that have done this, and they hope it will pay off in order for them to better keep up with the other teams.

As the only amateur team they are not totally lacking help from sponsors or partners. "We are very thankful and proud of our sponsors Clif Bar, iRule, JetBoil and Nemo Mountain Equipment, all small family owned business that support our accomplishments with gear" says Scott. "And because we spend our own money I think we enjoy it more as an activity rather than a profession. We are more passionate about it and want to get our moneys worth."

Scott is the most experienced in the team, having raced at the Southern Travers, Appalachian Extreme, Explore Sweden last year with Team Discovery/The North Face, and at Primal Quest 2004 with Team Gerber Legendary Blades. He is now very excited to be the lead navigator of the team. "I have practiced it a long time, and I'm excited to once again be the navigator. But I'm worried that we will likely get lost, somewhere along the course!" 

Even if Team Nomad finishes last in the race, they are sure they will have a great time together and many memories to take home with them.