Laura Zimmermann

Geman triathlete Laura Zimmermann was a former age-group European Champion over the 70.3 distance in 2014, before she turned professional ahead of the 2016 season.

Her first triumph in the paid ranks followed in 2017 when she was victorious in the Mainfrankentriathlon - over the Olympic Distance - in a season where she earned six podiums in total. That haul included a silver medal in the ETU Middle Distance Duathlon European Championships.

Laura’s first victory over the middle-distance since turning pro came a year later at the ICAN Half Nordhause, and she earned her first podium on the IRONMAN 70.3 circuit on home soil at Rügen.

Further middle-distance success came in 2019 when Laura won the Frankfurt City Triathlon before she impressed on her debut over the full distance with a fine second place at IRONMAN Barcelona.

Laura had begun her career at the age of 16 as a biathlete - a combination of running, swimming and running once more - before moving to triathlon in 2011.

Away from the course, Laura studied both sports science and dentistry. When she was studying she met a man while out running, and he asked if she’d like to join the triathlon sports club. She did, and was immediately hooked.

Laura’s biggest rival is the alarm clock (she is not a morning person) and the one thing she can’t live without is her pillow.

Zimmermann’s favourite discipline is the run as it doesn’t require much equipment and you can do it anywhere. Although she doesn’t have a least favourite discipline, she is not a fan of strength training.

Her training motto is “hard work always pays off, and today’s pain is the victory of tomorrow” while the best advice she has been given for racing is: “trust in your strengths, never give up, and go get what you've worked so hard for”.