JMF Ambassadors

Pete Jacobs

Pete Jacobs has had a string of successes in the 7 years he has been a professional triathlete. An 8th place at the Hawaii Ironman World Championships in 2009 showed Pete’s promise of being World Champion one day. At Hawaii in 2010 his 9th place (after a 4 minute penalty stop for taking too long to pass on the bike) was thanks to running the 3rd ever fastest marathon at the Hawaiian Ironman, and the fastest of the day. This result catapulted Pete into the minds of many as a serious contender for the title as early as 2011.

Regarded as one of the world’s premier Ironman swimmers, his ability to swim away from the pack and ride alone out in front is fast becoming his trademark. With a sub 2.40 goal marathon time, an Ironman title is imminent.

Pete’s ability and talent has not gone unnoticed by the heavyweights of the sport and he has been named an ambassador for the John Maclean Foundation, an Australian based charity that supports young Australians who use wheelchairs and was founded by Olympian, English Channel swimmer and Hawaii Ironman Hall of Famer John Maclean. Pete’s profile and development within the sport helps to drive and maintain the close relationship that John and JMF has with Ironman.

While winning the Hawaii Ironman is his ultimate goal, Pete is young enough and talented enough to be winning Ironman races for the next ten years. His career is still in the early developmental stages. He can become the most successful Ironman triathlete ever.

Website: petejacobs.com | Twitter: @petejjacobs | YouTube: petejjacobs

Drew Ginn

The illustrious Olympic career of Drew Ginn, winner of three gold medals, was ignited when a slot in the Oarsome Foursome coxless fours crew became available before the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Andrew Cooper had withdrawn from the crew which had won gold in Barcelona in 1992, leaving James Tomkins, Mike McKay and Nick Green. Rowing selectors tried several candidates before settling on the 21-year-old. Ginn was a gifted athlete, having won school colours in four different disciplines at Melbourne’s Scotch College. He had impressed the Foursome’s coach, Noel Donaldson, when he went overseas with Australia’s under-23 eight in 1994. After a few early settling-in problems with his older team-mates, Ginn became a valuable member of the Foursome crew, which went on to win gold in Atlanta.

Ginn and Tomkins, 10 years his senior, later teamed up, and won the 1999 pairs world championship. They were favoured for gold at the Sydney 2000 Games, but Ginn was forced to withdraw, a prolapsed disc in his back causing horrific pain. Tomkins rowed at short notice with an emergency, Matthew Long --- and they won bronze. After two years of rehabilitation and recovery work, Ginn talked with Tomkins about trying again … and they agreed to give it a go. They rowed perfectly to win gold in Athens in 2004. Afterwards, with the 2008 Beijing Games ahead, Ginn linked up with Duncan Free, who had won bronze in quad sculls in 1996. They won two world titles together, then - despite further back pain for Ginn during the Games - went on to win Beijing gold in commanding fashion.

Website: drewginn.com | Twitter: @drewginn | YouTube: dcginn