PRO-File: Ronnie Schildknecht, Swiss Speed

photo ©Elizabeth Kreutz

Triathlon is a worldwide sport and is celebrated by athletes from all over the globe. Working at the shop we are privileged to come in contact with an amazing group of elite cyclists, championship swimmers and long distance runners who we are proud to support when they are in town. A South African triathlete diva who owns her own bike transport company; the lean triathlete from Gold Coast, Australia who was just named #1 in the World 70.3 rankings; the Brazilian national champion husband-and-wife duo who run an online triathlon shop; the Kenyan native who trains in the mountains of Mexico and won the Austin Marathon this year… we’re surrounded by incredible talent from all corners of the world. We know one athlete who hails from Switzerland and has ties not just to other sports, but competing well in them. His name is Ronnie Schildknecht.

Ronnie was born in Zurich, Switzerland on September 19, 1979. He began his career in sports by playing tennis. He played competitively all the way until age 17, even playing against Roger Federer. While Federer pursued a life in tennis, Ronnie began playing ice hockey, and in both sports he still maintains an interest. But in 2000 at the age of 21, he was in San Diego taking an English course when he met two triathletes from Brazil. He bought a bike, started training, and was hooked. He even went to Kona to watch the World Championship.

Ronnie “got his feet wet” by training and competing in both 70.3 and full Iron distances by 2002. In 2008, he had the best year in triathlon up to that point: he won both the Ironman Switzerland 70.3 and 140.6 distances, European and Swiss Duathlon titles, AND placed 4th in Kona. Back home, he has won Ironman Switzerland five years in a row and is hoping for a repeat again this year. Still his ultimate goal is to best his 4th place finish at Kona. “Hawaii is different, it’s very special,” he says. “Training in Zurich at the moment, but I’ll be at Kona for sure .”

He is well on his way. At Ironman Florida last November, Ronnie set the North American Ironman record by being the first athlete to go “sub-8” with a time of 7:59:42 and taking the podium. He finished 3rd at Ironman Texas 70.3 at the beginning of April outracing names like Michael Raelert, Marino Vanhoenacker and the return-to-tri dark horse, Lance Armstrong. Ronnie said he has been working on his bike a great deal. There’s no doubting his ability to perform on two wheels, cycling seems to come naturally to him. And it should, his grandfather was cyclist Fritz Schär who won the first-ever green jersey at the Tour de France in 1953.

On top of all this, Ronnie is a genuine guy full of character. Even with numerous podium finishes, championship titles, national records and sought-after sponsorships, he still displays the most humble spirit and gracious attitude towards anyone lucky enough to meet him. When he is in the US, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to check out his bike and provide him access to nutrition and any gear he needs to race. But even if he is just stopping by to say hello, we love seeing him. Good luck this season, Ronnie. We’ll be pulling for you!

By Mike Thompson, Jack & Adam’s Bicycles