When the 100,000 euro mark is broken, Jan Frodeno clenches his fist. At the time, he had barely finished half of the Ironman at home. In a good mood, here and there curiously watched by dog Duke, and well supplied with banana bread by his wife. “This is the first Ironman that I eat more calories than I burn,” says the triathlete, for whom this time it is not about victory, medal or Hawaiian flower wreath: Frodeno primarily collects money for those in the help in the first row in the fight against the corona virus.
It started shortly after eight in the morning with a cloudy sky over Girona. The 2008 Olympic champion and three-time Hawaii winner lives there with his wife Emma. The Australian also won gold in Beijing about 12 years ago and this time helped Frodeno get through the ordeal as well as possible within his own four walls – whether with in-between kisses, a mini dance insert or freshly brewed coffee. Frodeno could use it especially after the 3.86 kilometers in the pool. “Is it cold,” he commented. 13 degrees “warm” water is not necessarily pleasant, despite neoprene.
Frodeno crawled in his nine-meter pool for 47 minutes. The countercurrent system, which he had installed shortly before the curfew in Spain, was set to a certain time per 100 meters. This was how the distance was determined before going on a bike after a short break with changing clothes, accompanied by around 1,000 athletes who were able to ride the virtual route on an online training platform.
Cancellara, van Berkel and Ryf cheer on
Including the Swiss Fabian Cancellara. “Today I’m hunting Jan Frodeno,” said the Bernese, who had set up his bike on the reel on a balcony. The 39-year-old was sweating profusely, but Frodeno still had enough strength for a thumbs up. “You give the sport emotions,” said the two-time Olympic champion in the time trial. After Cancellara, Jan van Berkel and Daniela Ryf also spoke.
The Swiss were not the only supporters. Footballer Mario Götze was there, Frodeno’s nanny was switched on by video after a night shift. Just like the parents who live just a few hundred meters from the Ironman Champion. They are currently not allowed to visit.
Former tennis star Boris Becker could also be activated via Skype, simultaneously with ski ace Felix Neureuther and then with football professional André Schürrle. Becker had to answer one question straight away: Why did Jan Frodeno become a triathlete? The surprising answer: “I was a terrible tennis player.” So the 38-year-old quickly changed sports in his early days and became the only triathlete to win Olympic gold (2008) and the Ironman World Championship (2015, 2016 and 2019) in Hawaii.
4:15 hours on the roll
Frodeno needed around 4:15 hours for the bike route. In between, buddy and adversary Sebastian Kienle sent a greeting: «Jan, why are you doing this? I’m sure you had a slight fever last night. » Frodeno plans to tackle the final marathon at a speed of 14 kilometers per hour.
Results and tables
(dpa)
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