How to unlock the power of triathlon

I recently interviewed Sebastian Kienle. It was the afternoon following Ronnie O’Sullivan’s eighth win in the UK Championship.

On first impressions, the demands of snooker and triathlon couldn’t be further apart – one group almost devoid of vitamin D, the other chasing sunshine around the world.

But there was an aspect of O’Sullivan’s triumph at the York Barbican that transcended the green baize. It was 30 years since the Rocket had won the same tournament for the first time as a 17-year-old.

He now held the title of both the youngest and oldest champion. He knew the angles of the table better than anyone, but his angle to keep playing the sport was constantly changing.

It was something for which Kienle, who called time on his own career in November after a 12-month ‘Discontinued Tour’, had enormous respect.

“People will say snooker is not an endurance sport, but you have to train for crazy hours, and strive to win every single day,” he says. “What’s really important is that you find new reasons why.”

Finding those reasons are what kept the 2014 Ironman world champion going until a year before he turns 40.

“It’s something I learned in my career,” he continues. “It wasn’t always the same reason. I started wanting to be a superstar, but it changed over the years.

“At the beginning, I would never look left and right. I was just out to win the race and I didn’t care where I was. Over the years I realised it’s really cool to be able to see the world through triathlon, and it started to motivate me, even more than a lot of other things.”

Advice for all triathletes

For the good of their health and the good of the sport, it’s advice a lot of triathletes could heed, and not just the few shooting for the top of the podium.

It’s no secret that since the pandemic triathlon events have struggled to regain traction. Entries are down and organisers have struggled. Encouraging newcomers is one aspect, but retaining triathletes at all levels is another, and this is where Kienle’s view hits home.

How often do we see new triathletes spellbound by the lure of Ironman, only to tick it off the bucket list and move away from the sport?

It’s not a sleight on Ironman, that retains its status as the premier long-distance race company, but it can lead to individuals missing out on the longer-term benefits of continuing to swim, bike, run and the enjoyment of shorter events that won’t need such a build-up and won’t leave you so broken, both physically and financially.

Whether a completer or competer, finding and reinventing your why is where you can unlock the real power of the sport, and it extends beyond racing to coaching, volunteering or administrating, too.

Motivations change, but triathlon still offers a wealth of opportunities for all in some of the most beautiful places in the world. As Kienle says: “That’s the key to freedom.”

Top illustration: Daniel Seex