After a successful and very long 2017 season, Daniela Ryf, the three-time Ironman World Champion winner from Hawaii, took a longer break. She spent the winter at home in Solothurn and a week in Lapland - and almost didn't train there. So the successful Solothurn athlete recharged her batteries.
Over the past six weeks, Ryf has completed an intensive recovery training program. This has included numerous longer sessions on the bike, swim and run. "Everything is going according to plan at the moment," says Daniela Ryf, "I'm currently in my second training camp in Gran Canaria and working on my form for a few hours every day. This includes many longer sessions on the bike, which I enjoy. After training only up to three hours a time on the roller until now, it's twice as much fun to ride outside in the hills again. I'm not quite in the Hawaii shape I want yet, but I don't have to be and I'm glad I can train injury-free."
Past activities
- Participation in the Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco. "Meeting many world athletes was impressive. As an ambassador for the Laureus Foundation, I like to get involved with young people out of conviction."
- First indoor tests on the bike at the Grenchen Velodrome. Good cooperation with sponsors DT Swiss, Felt and 2XU. Ryf is convinced to have the fastest bike including equipment for this season. "It was the first time for me on the track and my first aero test," says Ryf. "It was fun, the Velodrome is just next to my living room."
About the aero tests, the athlete says: "We tested helmets, suits and different arm positions. It's impressive how much difference the material can make."
Daniela Ryf schedule
On May 6, 2018, Ryf will take part in the World Run "Wings for life" in Zug, and on May 13, the Solothurn native will take part in a torch relay in Bern to mark the 50th anniversary of Special Olympics. On May 14, Ryf will be honored for her athletic achievements at the sports award ceremony in Schönenwerd/SO. An autograph session is planned at the Bern Grand Prix (May 19), and this season's first training camp is scheduled for June in St. Moritz. "I will train for three months in Switzerland and get the necessary form to be able to defend my title in Hawaii."
First Ironman 70.3 in Rapperswil
After almost nine days at altitude, Ryf will start for the sixth time at her favorite race, the Ironman in Rapperswil, on June 10: "Four years ago, I ran my first, almost perfect race at Lake Zurich. It was the first time under my coach Brett Sutton, and that's why I'm even more looking forward to the start of the season in Switzerland, because I also know the course very well. The bike course with many hills, but also fast passages is demanding. The running course through the old town and along the lake is beautiful. However, it also has some pitfalls; I'm thinking of the passages with the stairs in the city."
After the start of the season, Ryf will travel to St. Moritz again. The first big goal this season will be the European Championships in Frankfurt on July 8, 2018. "There I will face strong opponents."
Fixed in the competition calendar of Daniela Ryf are:
June 10, 2018: Ironman 70.3 Rapperswil
July 8, 2018: Ironman Frankfurt EU Championships
October 13, 2018: Ironman Hawaii
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