Triathlon: The Swiss Ronnie Schildknecht is one of the most successful triathletes of the recent past and has now won the Ironman Zurich eight (!!) times. We had the opportunity to talk to the 36-year-old from the BMC-Etixx Pro Triathlon Team powered by Uplace at the BMC Team-up Camp in Altea, Spain.
Hello Ronnie – thanks for taking the time for us despite the cold! Get well soon at this point.
Ronnie Schildknecht: No problem - I had been carrying it around for a while and the air conditioning on the plane must have finished me off. However, nothing that could not be managed with a little rest and tea.
Let's start with something positive: Triathlon is getting more and more attention from the public and the media. How do you perceive that from your perspective as an athlete?
Ronnie Schildknecht: You are absolutely right. In the past, triathlon was really just a fringe sport - in my opinion it still is to some extent, but it has caught up significantly in recent years. There is football, tennis and cycling, but fortunately triathlon is no longer far removed from these 'bigger' sports. In Switzerland we have had athletes of the year from the triathlon several times [in Germany since the weekend too, note d. Red.].
But it still has to be said that the majority of the public primarily perceives the Ironman Hawaii - or how do you see it?
Ronnie Schildknecht: Sure, definitely. Hawaii is above everything. But if you see this one event as a starting point, you can certainly build on this basis. But the big problem is still that the marketing of many events is simply miserable.
The problem of marketing can also be heard again and again from cycling - there are also a few big events that seem to get all the attention...
Ronnie Schildknecht: Sure, but regardless of whether it's triathlon or cycling, it's a very complex topic. Of course, it also depends on how and where the money is distributed. Most Ironman events are very profit oriented and have no great interest in the athletes making money. Many organizers are quite right that we lead a shadowy existence in a certain way. In the long term, however, this tactic simply saws the branch on which we are all sitting together. Maybe that will change in the future with the ever-increasing attention.
Hopefully you as athletes will soon benefit from the growing attention
Ronnie Schildknecht: Well, I can only speak for myself, but personally I have no reason to complain. Other triathletes certainly have it tougher than me, so it's good to see some movement in the matter.
Speaking of great attention. How is it for you personally? Do people recognize you on the street? Are you addressed?
Ronnie Schildknecht: Well, the Swiss are generally rather reserved when it comes to that. Every now and then I notice that someone looks at me and maybe wonders where they have seen me before. I've also had one or two TV appearances, so people at least know my face. But I'm not really spoken to or besieged by fans - that's not too bad for me either (laughs).
Let's talk a little bit about last season. What is your personal highlight?
Ronnie Schildknecht: That was definitely the Ironman Zurich. On the one hand, it was the best race in terms of my personal performance. I would have loved to have used this performance again in Hawaii, but unfortunately it didn't work out. But to win in Zurich for the eighth time was just great.
What was going on in Kona? You had to give up after cycling.
Ronnie Schildknecht: Yes, the days before I was in poor health. I've been to Hawaii and trained, but it just didn't add up that day. A pity.
So did you have a premonition right from the start?
Ronnie Schildknecht: No, not necessarily. Actually, everything was still fine – even when I got on the bike, I was still fully focused and thought everything was still possible. But after about 100km I felt that the tank was somehow empty. After 120km I knew then: It won't work. I know myself and my body quite well by now, so I can assess it quite well. Then I have no problem saying in the race: that's it for today. It's always frustrating, especially in Hawaii, but it's no use.
You also decided on a new way of preparing for Kona this season - a mistake in hindsight?
Ronnie Schildknecht: That's right, I decided to arrive a few weeks earlier in order to be able to adjust to the atmosphere and the climate. I don't know if it was a mistake, but I certainly wouldn't do it the same way again. I know now that it wasn't my thing, but I don't regret trying something new either. Even if you've been around as long as I have, you never stop learning. Apart from that, sometimes you just have to break this training rut, this routine.
So next time, will it be your 'classic preparation' again?
Ronnie Schildknecht: Yes, I think so. I usually arrive about ten days before the race and I have enough time to prepare and adjust.
Unfortunately, Hawaii was never a really good place for you - in contrast to Zurich. Does that frustrate or unsettle you?
Ronnie Schildknecht: No, not at all. It just always depends so much on the shape of the day and I just have to keep my head fresh. In Kona everything is actually always possible - from eliminations like this year to the podium - hopefully sometime in the future. That's why frustration would be a completely wrong approach and I continue to believe in myself.
You have every reason to do so - you've been very successful for over ten years - do you still notice it all?
Ronnie Schildknecht: Phew, difficult. Sure, I'm happy about every new success - but sometimes you just need a little breather. This season I also felt once: stop, I just need some time for myself and my thoughts. I've been at the peak of triathlon for 13 years now and I've never really looked back. Now I'm 36 and in the autumn of my career - it all passed me by so quickly, amazing!
Does this big success put you under pressure?
Ronnie Schildknecht: Not so much the success itself, but rather the expectations – both from outside and from myself. But now I can deal with it well and steer it in positive directions. For me it is more of an additional motivation than a burden.
You said it - you already have 13 very successful years in triathlon behind you. I'll just make you look back now. Are you proud of what you have achieved?
Ronnie Schildknecht: (laughs) I'm a special case. I'm a guy who always thinks he could have done better. I don't feel like I've accomplished anything extraordinary...
Well, you're selling yourself well below value!
Ronnie Schildknecht: That's just my way. Pride might just be the wrong expression. I don't keep patting myself on the back and saying, 'Well done!' – but I am quite satisfied with what I have achieved. I just hope that maybe in the more distant future I can look back and appreciate what happened and what I've accomplished.
I hope that too! You deserve it. Anyway, thank you for the nice interview and I wish you every success for the next season!