Calm sea, perfect weather and keen competition marked the second edition of the Challenge Florianopolis. With the biggest names in Brazilian triathlon taking part, it was Marcus Fernandes and Carolina Furriela who took out top honours.
Race day began with a southerly wind, which favored swimming with calm seas and a well-reeive tailwind on the second half of the bike. Marcus Fernandes pushed to his limits and took the title with a split of 3:53:43, passing Fernando Toldi in the run, who was the first to come out of the water and his bike. Santiago Ascenço followed in second place in 3:55:14, which was the same result he had in the first edition of the race in the island. Fernando Toldi started the day fast coming out of the water and of the bike in first place, but could not hold it in the run finishing with a 3rd place in 3:55:28.
In the Women’s pro field, Carol Furriela came out of the water first but lost her position to local Florianopolis athlete, Mariana Andrade early in the bike. Mariana came out of T2 with some advantage but was unable to hold it as Furriela once again too the lead and ultimately the win. The women’s race finished with Furriela in first place with 4:39:29, Mariana Andrade with 4:42:31 and third place went to Bruna Mahn with 4:45:09.
This year, reaching new profiles of athletes, the organization of Challenge Family in Brazil launched the shorter new race in a sprint distance that happened on Saturday. Event organizer, Fernando Menezes said, “The new race gives the chance to the triathletes compete in a shorter and faster circuit, as well as it is usually a race that is good starters that have little experience in the sport.” Held on Saturday, the sprint course had 750 meter swim, followed by 20 kilometers of cycling and finished with 5 kilometers of run. The winners were Francisco Viana Neto with 55:03 and Thainá Gouveia Conde in 1:06:50. Following the sprint distance triathlon it was time for the kids to have some fun and the Challenge Junior in the second edition of the mini triathlon. To finish the day before the big triathlon competition Challenge Women painted the streets of Jurere Internacional pink throughout the 5 km run.
In parallel to all the events happening, the Challenge Expo had big stores from major brands specific to the triathlon industry. Transforming the city again in the Capital of Triathlon, it is estimated that the event moved BRL 10 million into the local economy, with more than 2000 participants.
For further information, visit www.challenge-florianopolis.com.
Results: Challenge Florianopolis
Top Five Men
1. Marcus Fernandes – 3:53:43
2. Santiago Ascenço – 3:55:14
3. Fernando Toldi – 3:55:28
4. Reinaldo Colucci – 3:55:14
5. Eduardo Lass – 3:58:59
Top Five Women
1. Carolina Furriela – 4:39:29
2. Mariana Borges de Andrade – 4:42:31
3. Bruna Mahn – 4:45:09
4. Beatriz Neres – 4:49:11
5. Nayara Abreu Chagas – 4:50:45
