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On Saturday Jolanda Annen will compete in a World Triathlon Championship Series race in Yokohama – for the first time in almost 3 years.
For triathlete Jolanda Annen, part of a long and difficult time will come to an end next Saturday. The 31-year-old from Uri is taking part in the race in Yokohama as part of the World Triathlon Championship Series. It is her first appearance in the highest triathlon series in almost 3 years.
Her ordeal began in January 2021, as Annen revealed in an interview with SRF: “I noticed that after about 10 minutes I could no longer keep up with the other athletes.” It was the start of a physically and mentally stressful time.
Diagnosis: “Cyclist’s disease”
During various training measurements it became clear that in certain areas she was no longer able to reach her usual level of performance. «Almost 2 months before the Olympic Games in Tokyo, I got another cramp in a team race. I kept having cramps in my left leg, which continued throughout the coming races,” says Annen, looking back.
It turned out: Annen suffers from the so-called “cyclist’s disease”. A narrowed iliac artery in the abdomen caused blood flow in the left leg to be reduced by around 50 percent. This led to pain and cramps in the thigh and calf during high stress during training or competition.
Over the last 2 months I’ve noticed that things are always taking a step forward. The shape keeps increasing.
Annen has now been treated surgically, including by a vascular surgeon. “In the summer I know how successful the operation really was,” says Annen, who is now racing regularly again.
“We decided at the beginning of the year that I would start competing again in February. Over the last 2 months I’ve noticed that things are always taking a step forward. The shape is getting better and better,” says Annen happily.
And on Saturday she has a personal highlight coming up in Yokohama. Annen, who regularly competed against the best athletes in the world, is taking part in a competition in the highest triathlon category for the first time in almost 3 years. This is possible because her compatriot Cathia Schär has decided not to take part and is therefore allowed to move up.
In order to continue racing in the Championship Series, Annen must first fight her way back up the world rankings. It is currently well outside the top 100, which is why participation in Japan will remain an exception for the time being. Accordingly, she is not giving the championship series any priority for the time being.
Participation in the Olympic Games unrealistic
Nevertheless, for Annen, the competition in Yokohama is above all a confirmation and satisfaction for her hard work and perseverance over the last few years. But she doesn’t really think she has a chance of taking part in the Olympic Games in Paris.
“The selection criteria were adjusted by Swiss Olympic because of my injury. But I would have to finish in the top three,” explains Annen. This plan is rather unrealistic for them. In addition, two athletes, Schär and Julie Derron, have already met the selection criteria.
My goal this year is to compete at a high level.
“It was already clear to me last summer that it would be very difficult,” said the two-time Olympic participant. After years with the injury, she has to remain realistic and pursue other goals this year. And these are: “To compete in races at a high level.”