Last year, they won the time award, and this year the party award went to Corpus Medicum. The reason: they spread joy and good spirit all the way from Gothenburg, where the tandem-relay began, to the finish line in Lund.
The sun was shining and there was not a single cloud in the sky when the tandem participants arrived at Lundagård, where the award ceremony and celebration awaited, last Saturday. The temperature also permitted a traditional bath in the fountain.
Almost 1,200 participants from 19 different teams partook in this year’s relay and biked from Gothenburg to Lund in just under 26 hours.
“I believe this is one of the richest traditions in Lund. It is really appreciated, and a tradition that should be preserved”, says Idrottskollegiet’s Chairperson Arvid Stigland, who is behind the event.
The weather made a difference
Last year, there were more teams – but this year’s event was still more successful, according to the Tandem-general Jennifer Kyllergård who says that the magnificent sunshine did a good job during the relay. She summarises it with three words:
“Water, resorb and sunscreen!”
But not everything went according to plan. The relay began at Slotttsskogen, instead of the usual starting point at Avenyn.
“There was a real bicycle race going on at Avenyn”, says Jennifer Kyllergård.
Bad luck was ever present
An accident rarely comes alone, and several Nations had difficulties navigating during the relay.
“Many nations biked astray in the dark on their way to Varberg. They had to be picked up with busses”, says Jennifer Kyllergård.
Someone who things went very badly for was Albin Asphäll from Corpus Medicum. He was forced to bandage his hand after being hit by a crashing drone, but was nonetheless beaming.
“It feels really good to arrive! We survived!”
Last year, Corpus Medicum were closest to the ideal time – and this year they took the party prize. Albin Asphäll points out that it was a team effort.
“Everyone contributed – it was a team effort. We had a lot of songs and enthusiasm. You have to focus on having fun, it shines through”, he says.
The conkout award to SSK
One team who had less success was Sydskånskas, who were awarded this year’s conkout award. They, among other things, did not receive the bus they had ordered – and when they finally got their hands on a bus it ceased to function. This resulted in them not being able to cross the finish line like everyone else during Saturday evening, and they were awarded the prize in their absence.
Despite this, Idrottskollegiet’s chairperson Arvid Stigland summarises the event with that there is a lot of joy in the tandem-relay.
“We have fought hard during one semester with planning everything and this is the result; a vast arrangement with a lot of joy”, he says.
Article: Cornelia Smedberg
Translation: Viktor Jönsson
