Sebastian Kienle is a man in demand. When we reach out to set up this interview, his management –11-time ironman winner Ronnie Schildknecht, no less – asks us to email our questions so that “Sebi can answer them via voicemail”.
It's not ideal for putting together a cover feature, but, really, who are we to argue with a triathlete who's both respected and feared in equal measure? A man who's been competing in triathlon since the age of 12. An überbiker whose performance at the 2012 Ironman 70.3 Championship is considered one of the greatest race-day wins in triathlon history. Who would go on to win the Ironman world title two years later in similar fashion and finish on the Kona podium four times in total.
So yes, we'll cut Kienle some muchdeserved slack as he continues on his farewell tour. A tour which started at Challenge Wanaka Half in February (3rd), moved onto Ironman New Zealand in March (4th) and will take in Challenge Roth in June (his first-ever and now his last long-distance race), Norseman in August and
