THE YEAR OF RECORDS

In 2017, still unsettled with missing the fastest Kona swim time by a mere 6 seconds in 2003, Jan launched a 2-year comeback to finally break the IRONMAN World Championship swim record. At the age of 43, 17 years after his first appearance on the Big Island, on October 13, 2018, he set a new World record time for the Kona swim at 46:29min. Jan still holds this record today.

OTHER MILESTONES

Adding to founding sailfish and breaking World records, in 2009 Jan started the sailfish swimnights in Germany, weekly summertime lake events at various locations, to promote open water swimming. In 2010 he created the “sailfish Night of the Year”, Europe's annual black-tie awards evening, celebrating the triathlon community from around the globe.Between 2015 and 2019 Jan ran the Triathlon Convention Europe, and between 2016 and 2021 he managed Patrick Lange, the two-time IRONMAN World Champion.

THE STORY BEHIND JAN

Jan Sibbersen, current IRONMAN World Championship Swim record holder, began his career with an award-filled 10-year stint in the German National Swim team, between 1990 and 2000. Jan simultaneously completed his studies at Harvard University with a Bachelor's degree in Economics (class of 2000). He then transitioned into the world of investment banking and worked at Goldman Sachs between 2000 and 2002, at both the New York and Frankfurt offices.

Athletic Background

Jan’s true calling soon drew him back to the sporting arena, this time into the world of triathlon. Between 2001 and 2004 Jan went on to achieve four “First out of Water” titles at the IRONMAN World Championships in Hawaii. In 2004 he set a new World record IRONMAN swim time, an epic 42:17min at IRONMAN Germany in Frankfurt.

Jan continued to compete professionally in the global triathlon circuit until 2007 when he founded sailfish. The company quickly expanded internationally and continues to set global standards as one of the world’s best triathlon brands amongst both professionals and amateurs.

Road to Kona

Personal Bests

2001

IRONMAN Hawaii: First out of water (48:51 min)

2002

IRONMAN Germany: First out of water (44:54 min) & IRONMAN Hawaii: First out of water (48:10 min)

2003

IRONMAN Germany: First out of water (44:29 min) & IRONMAN Hawaii: First out of water (46:50 min)

2004

IRONMAN Germany: First out of water (42:17 min) & IRONMAN Hawaii: First out of water (47:04 min)

2005

IRONMAN Austria: First out of water (44:13 min) & IRONMAN Canada: First out of water (46:56 min)

2006

IRONMAN USA: First out of water (45:24 min) & IRONMAN Canada: First out of water (47:56 min)

2007

IRONMAN France: First out of water (44:44 min)

2008

IRONMAN Canada: First out of water (45:57 min)

2018

IRONMAN Hawaii: Swim course record (46:29 min)