For two years, Daniela Ryf has been achieving one victory after another. She was the European and World Long Distance Champion, Triple Crown winner, and Swiss sportswoman of the year.  

A few years ago you wanted to end your career for health reasons. Now you are unstoppable. In your eyes, what are the top three reasons that led you back on the road to success?  

• 2.
  The balance brought about by studying has helped me a lot.
• 4.
  The confidence in my coach, Brett Sutton, not to mention his support.
• 6.
  Less training, more quality.

A large part of your success - as you just mentioned - can be attributed to your trainer Brett Sutton. In your opinion, what is it that particularly distinguishes him?  

With him I was able to find the right degree and balance between recovery and training. His planning through the season enabled me to constantly improve. What’s more, I was neither injured nor sick, which is why I could train very steadily over 2 years.

How do you manage to juggle studying (Bachelor Food Science & Management) and sport?  

Studying has taught me how to be very efficient. Since I have less time, I use it all the better. And when I am training hard, I give it my all because I know that I won’t have any more time afterwards.

You made a successful transition from the Olympic distance to the Ironman distance. What do you think the reasons for this are?  

The long distance was always easier for me than the short distance, since I already enjoyed long jogs and longer excursions. It is more a question of getting the maximum out of your own performance. This is why I really like the long distance.

Foto: ZVG