Image: @XTERRA

As indoor pools were closed during the pandemic, Alanis Siffert, an ambitious swimmer, shifted her focus to running and cycling. From that moment on, she embarked on a surprising journey into the world of triathlon: she quickly developed a passion for these new disciplines and wasted no time in taking part in her first triathlon. Success was swift: last year, the 23-year-old from Villars-sur-Glâne became the European Vice-Champion in her very first full Ironman, stopping the clock with an impressive time of 8:30:16. Only one Swiss woman, Daniela Ryf, has ever completed the full distance faster.

Goals for 2025

For the 2025 season, my main goals are Challenge Roth on July 6th and Embrunman on August 15th.

I'm really looking forward to participating in the legendary Challenge Roth on July 6, 2025, and experiencing this race while enjoying its fantastic atmosphere. In August, I'll be at the start of Embrunman, an Ironman distance race with over 5,000 m of elevation gain on the bike. It's an extremely tough race, but I love taking on challenges and stepping out of my comfort zone.

Daily Training

It varies depending on the day and the session, but generally, I have three training sessions that punctuate my day. I wake up at 6:30 AM, my first training is at 7:00 AM, the second at 10:30 AM, and the third at 3:30 PM. I often take a nap in between. Having a routine is very important to me: it helps me maintain my habits and give my best every day.

Training Philosophy

Enjoyment, discipline, hard work. Triathlon is my passion, and I'm lucky enough to be able to fulfill myself through sport. Every morning I wake up with the same goal: to give my best to become a better athlete. I train by listening to my body, which means training by feel. My training zones are based on easy/moderate/medium/mad.

This way, whatever my state (fit, tired, motivated, etc.), I can still give my best with the resources I have that day. This makes training much more rewarding than just following numbers or reference zones.

Image: @XTERRA

Coach

Brett Sutton has also coached Nicola Spirig, Olympic gold medalist at the London Games, and Daniela Ryf, multiple Ironman world champion. Coming from swimming (I participated in my last elite championships in the summer of 2021), I started triathlon once I met Brett in St. Moritz. He offered me a spot on his professional triathlete team, and I immediately accepted. He immediately understood who I was as an athlete, and together we're growing step by step. When he assigns me a workout, I don't question it. I trust him completely, because he knows exactly what I need. I believe that having a trusting relationship is fundamental. On my part, I give him precise feedback after each session, and that's how we progress day by day.

My Greatest Lesson in Professional Sport

In March 2025, the full Ironman in New Zealand was very formative for my career. During the race, after 80 km on the bike, I suddenly felt a searing pain in my knee, like a stab wound, and I couldn't pedal normally anymore. I had no strength left in my leg and the pain was unbearable. At that moment, I thought I wouldn't be able to finish. However, deep down, I didn't want to give up, even though I was going much slower, and I still completed the 180 km. It was only my mental strength that kept me going. At T2 transition, I wanted to stop, but I told myself: why suffer for 100 km if I stop now? If I have to walk the 42 km, I will... but I will finish the race. And in the end, I ran. For me, it was an important lesson: not only did I discover a new pain threshold, but I also realized how much mental strength matters in this sport. I also learned that, even if you are 100% prepared, there are factors beyond our control, and anything can happen in a race. You have to be ready to adapt to give your best under the current conditions.

My Strength

I would say my mental strength. I love challenges, and when I commit to something, I give it 100%. In triathlon, and especially in Ironman, the further you go in the race, the more the mental aspect and approach can make a difference.

My Weakness

I am a perfectionist, which can be both a strength and a weakness. I think this makes me very rigorous and invested, but I'm also learning to let go of things I can't control.

Image: @XTERRA

Keys to Success

Enjoy yourself first and foremost, don't put too much pressure on yourself, and always give your best, on good days as well as tough ones, so you have no regrets. Be patient: success doesn't just fall from the sky. You need to work hard, be disciplined, and, step by step, improve and grow.

The Difficult Sides

As professional triathletes, 100% of our lives are dedicated to triathlon. This means maintaining a strict lifestyle, training every day, making sacrifices, and being away from family. But on the other hand, I consider it a privilege: I experience even more intense moments with my loved ones when we reunite. We share extraordinary emotions through sport. I can travel all over the world for races, meet many people, and discover magnificent places.

My Biggest Sporting Dream

To become a world champion.
But first and foremost, to be able to fulfill myself through sport during my career, and to inspire others to do the same by adopting a sporting lifestyle.

My Role Models

Nicola Spirig and Daniela Ryf. Both were coached by Brett Sutton. Knowing that these two champions followed the same training I do today is very inspiring and motivating for me.

Training by Feel

Feel. Indeed, I have never used a power meter in training or in races. I use cadence as a reference.

Image: @Javier Leon

Toughest Workout

The first time I ran 28 km on the athletics track in St. Moritz. I felt proud and satisfied, despite the intense fatigue.

Favorite Workout

Long Sunday runs in the woods, when nature awakens, and I encounter squirrels, deer, chamois, and singing birds. I feel connected to nature and free. Then I finish with a delicious family brunch.

Swimming Tips for Triathletes

Many people are often stiff when they swim. To feel good in the water, you need to be able to relax. Breathing is also very important: you shouldn't hold your breath, but after inhaling, you should exhale underwater and not block your breathing. In a race, swimming in open water is very different from a pool. Many people can panic due to conditions, waves, cold water, or the crowd. I believe it's useful to have a mental trick: a word or phrase to repeat mentally while swimming, to stay calm, swim well, and control your breathing. Something like "relax."

Secret Tip

In triathlon, nutrition is the fourth discipline. You don't win the race with it, but you can lose it. It's like a race car: if it runs out of fuel, it won't move. Everyone is different, and you need to test what works for you in training to perfect your race fueling plan. It's like training: you need to listen to your body and take care of yourself, both physically and mentally. Recovery is as important as training! And one last thing: never try anything new in a race; always test it in training first.