OFF COURSE— a sailing journey to Svalbard takes an unexpected turn 

Even the best-laid adventure plans can go awry—especially in the face of unforeseen circumstances like a knee injury. Off Course is a film that follows a group of close friends, including Tom-Oliver Hedvall and Elias Lundh, as they set sail for Svalbard—a wild and pristine archipelago located on top of the world—making stops as they travel along Norway’s coastline to ski some majestic mountains. When forced to change course, they managed to transform the experience into something positive.  

In this interview, Tom-Oliver and Elias share some of the most memorable moments from the adventure, along with their enthusiasm for a skiing touring dream that remains very much alive.  

 

You set sail for Svalbard – what happened next? 

Tom-Oliver: “Oh, a lot happened! The goal was to reach Svalbard and, on our way there, we sailed along one of the world’s most spectacular coastlines – especially if you’re a skier. 
  

“From Southern to Northern Norway, endless mountains rise directly out of the sea, creating a magical landscape. We began the journey by exploring our neighboring country and its skiing opportunities while we waited for the ice to loosen its grip on Svalbard. 

“We sailed all the way up to Tromsø, where we realized we needed to pause because the ice was still dense around Svalbard. During this break, I traveled to Riksgränsen and, unfortunately, I had an accident – I tore the ACL in my knee. 

“This made it impossible to complete our plan to reach Svalbard, and I had to return to Stockholm for surgery instead. The boat was sailed home later in the summer, and I started an extensive rehabilitation program to get back to skiing. 

“This journey, my skiing comeback, and a new trip to Norway I took later on are things we get to follow in this film. The dream of skiing among polar bears in Svalbard is still alive.” 

What do sailboats and skiing have to do with each other? 

Tom-Oliver: “In Norway, they have everything to do with each other. There, you can reach skiing spots that are impossible to access by any means other than by boat. Plus, wind-powered travel gives you a sense of freedom that’s hard to match in any other way. It becomes the ultimate adventure.” 

What was the single most memorable moment? 

Tom-Oliver: “There are so many moments to choose from, but one that truly stands out is when we sailed into Trollfjorden. Seeing the mighty mountains and all the amazing runs around us while sea eagles circled above the boat was a magical experience. And then, I’ll never forget when William caught three cods with a single cast.” 

Elias: “The single most amazing memory for me was undoubtedly standing on Kyrktaket in Romsdalen during a perfect sunset and skiing the run that became the finale of the entire film.” 

 

What’s your dream project for the future? 

Tom-Oliver: “It would probably be to finally make it all the way to Svalbard. The dream lives on!” 

Elias: “There are many dream projects on my list, but completing the journey to Svalbard would be incredible! Despite all the adventures we’ve had together, I’m not sure there’s a photo with both of us in it. I’ve searched but haven’t found one yet…”