Jan Frodeno, a member of Breitling’s Triathlon Squad, is one of his sport’s greatest stars. He claimed the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and has won three IRONMAN® World Championships. In the year that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the cancellation of virtually all sporting events, Frodeno took on a “triathlon at home” (Tri@Home) on Saturday, April 11, 2020, and incredibly, swam 3.8 kilometers, rode 180 kilometers, and ran 42 kilometers, completing the full IRONMAN® distance he would have done outdoors in normal IRONMAN® conditions. And he did it in the training room of his home in Girona, Spain.
Jan Frodeno used the occasion to raise funds for two charities based in Girona: Coronavirus Support and Disability Sport.
Triathlon enthusiasts around the world were able to accompany Frodeno and his “triathlon at home” online and could even ride along with him virtually as he completed the 180-kilometer bike ride.
An obvious question, of course, is how it is possible to swim 3.8 kilometers, ride a bicycle 180 kilometers, and run 42 kilometers at home. Jan Frodeno found a solution: He swam in his indoor pool, which has been designed with a counter-current system. He then got onto his roller trainer which, combined with the Zwift turbo trainer game app, allowed him to cycle virtually along with other participants around the world. Finally, he stepped onto his treadmill for the marathon-distance run. Jan Frodeno completed the grueling challenge in 8 hours, 33 minutes, and 37 seconds
Breitling provided the online digital timer displayed on-screen during the live stream. The brand also donated three watches, made available through Jan Frodeno’s online shop, in support of its Triathlon Squad member’s unusual challenge. One was the Breitling Superocean Automatic 44 IRONMAN® Limited Edition that Jan wore on the podium in Kona and during the virtual ride in the “triathlon at home.”
The shop also featured a Superocean Heritage Chronograph 44 in steel and 18 k rose gold, a watch identical to the one Jan Frodeno wears every day, along with a Superocean Automatic 44, a striking stainless-steel watch with a black dial and bezel. All of the watches were offered on VIPrize’s dedicated Jan Frodeno page.
