On 30 November the Challenge Family global race series will arrive in Latin America with the inaugural Challenge Florianopolis to be held in Jurerê Internacional. Over 1,500 athletes from all over the world will travel to the ‘Magic Island’ in the southern region of Brazil including a strong pro field of over 40 elite athletes.
The course is very flat and fast, thus the time expectations for the professional athletes and age groupers are expected to be ‘towards the fastest times in the world’. The typical calm sea water at this time of the year in the bay, fast highways and a large tourism infrastructure has attracted athletes from all over to Jurerê Internacional.
Aussie triathlete and Challenge Family ambassador Chris ‘Macca’ McCormack, was one of the enthusiasts of the venue choice. “Having Challenge races in Latin America is a dream coming true,” he said. “Florianópolis is an impressive destination and the race course will encourage the athletes to compete to their limits, while they race against the clock and their rivals.”
One of the team responsible for organizing the event, Carlos Fernando Menezes, Director of Sports Dash, noted that the new event is a milestone for the sport in Brazil, and to Florianópolis. “The city is consolidating as the Latin birthplace of triathlon worldwide,” he said. “The Challenge Family already has 42 events around the world and to come to Santa Catarina supports the potential of the state to continue encouraging the industry,”
The organizing team expects to generate approximately Real 10 million (US$4 million) for the local economy.
Challenge Florianópolis will aim to gather the entire family in Florianópolis, including side events for women, and children from 7 to 12 years old. The Challenge Women and Junior Challenge will happen on Saturday 29 November, the day before the big race.
With a 5K walk/run course, space has been allocated for women to ‘relax and enjoy themselves, take care of themselves and receive tips for nutrition.’
The Junior Challenge will encourage physical activity among children and adolescents – encouraging triathlon as part of a healthy lifestyle. Divided into two categories (7-9 years, 10-12 years), the junior courses will be: 150m swim, 1K bike, 500m run; and 150m swim, 2K bike, 800m run, respectively.
The event’s Brazilian ambassador, triathlete Fernanda Keller also praised the venue and highlighted Brazil’s potential for the emerging triathlon category. “Challenge is an event that I participated since its beginning in Germany,” she said. “We need more such events in Brazil. Here people think we do not have many triathletes, but the evidence is the inscriptions are sold out in a few minutes. There is still plenty of room for races in Brazil and I’m glad there are great new events coming up.”
Challenge Florianópolis will also reward the best placed of the elite and age group athletes with registrations to two major events of the Challenge Family series: Challenge Family Roth 2015 (4 slots for elite and 2 to the age groups) and Challenge Almere-Amsterdam (24 slots for age groupers).
Alongside the event, on 28-29 November, the first Congress of Applied Sciences to Triathlon will also get under way, headed by Arthur Herdy, UFRGS PhD in Cardiology and a sports medicine specialist, another initiative of the event’s quest for health and welfare of triathletes.
At the congress, themes related to long-duration sports, training, performance and health, such as nutrition and hydration will be discussed. This will look at the before, during and after a triathlon and the risks and benefits to an athlete’s heart.
The congress’ technical committee is formed by Lourenço Sampaio, Doctor of Science Movement – UDESC; Pires Rangel, Nutritionist and Physical Educator; Carlos Fernando Ramos de Menezes, Physiotherapist and Director of Challenge Florianópolis.
www.challenge-florianopolis.com
