In October 1987, Sæunn the Cow made it to the local history books when she managed to escape from a slaughterhouse, jump into the sea, and swim 2.3km across the Önundarfjörður fjord. “When I got a phone call telling me there was a cow swimming my way... I couldn’t believe it!” says Guðmundur Steinar, farmer in Valþjófsdalur. He ran towards the beach to greet this brave animal. Out of respect for Sæunn’s bravery he reached an agreement with the previous owner and let her join his own cows where she lived the rest of her life contributing to the dairy needs of Westfjordians. Sæunn is now buried at that very same beach where she reached land, with a wooden plate saying, “Sæunnarhaugur - Sæunn’s grave”. More than 30 years later, once every summer, brave athletes gather each year to celebrate Sæunn's achievement by swimming the same route.