On 30 November the global race series Challenge Family will arrive in Latin America with the inaugural Challenge Florianopolis to be held in Jurerê Internacional, with over 1,500 athletes from all over the world travelling to the ‘Magic Island’ 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 towards the fastest times in the world. The typical calm sea water of this time of the year at the bay, fast high-ways and a huge touristic infrastructure attract athletes from all over to Jurerê Internacional.
The Aussie triathlete Chris McCormack, considered of the best of the world at the sport, was one of the enthusiasts of the place choice: “ Having Challenge races in Latin America is a dream coming true. 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 responsible for organizing the event, Carlos Fernando Menezes, Director of Sports Dash says that this is a milestone for the sport in Brazil, mainly to Florianopolis. "The city is consolidating as the Latin birthplace of triathlon worldwide. 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, "he says. The organization expects to move approximately R $ 10 million into the local economy.
Challenge Florianopolis will gather the entire family in Florianopolis, including side events for women and children from 7 to 12 years old. The Challenge Women and Junior Challenge will happen on Saturday, the day before the big race. With a 5 k walk/run course, Challenge Women will be organized specially for them. A space for women to relax and enjoy themselves, take care of themselves and receive tips for nutrition.
Junior Challenge will encourage physical activity among children and adolescents, even encouraging triathlon as a healthy lifestyle. Divided into two categories (7-9 years, 10-12 years), its course will be: 150 m of swim, 1 k cycling and 500 m running and 150 m swim, 2 k cycling and 800 running respectively.
The event’s Brazilian ambassador, triathlete Fernanda Keller also praised the choice and highlighted Brazil's potential for the sector. "Challenge is an event that I participated since its beginning in Germany. 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”.
The Challenge Florianópolis will also reward the best placed of the Elite and age groups with registrations to two major events of the series Challenge Family: Challenge Family Roth 2015 (4 slots for Elite and 2 to the age groups) and Challenge Almere and Amsterdam (24 slots for the age groupers).
Alongside to the event, on November 28th and 29th, there will be the 1st Congress of Applied Sciences to Triathlon, headed by Arthur Herdy, UFRGS PhD in Cardiology and Sports Medicine Specialist, another initiative of the event's quest for health and welfare of triathletes. Themes related to long-duration sports, training, performance and health, such as "Nutrition and Hydration" will be discussed at the pre, during and after the triathlon and the risks and benefits to the athlete's heart. The technical committee is formed by Lourenço Sampaio, Doctor of Science Movement - UDESC and Specialist in Sports Medicine; Pires Rangel, Nutritionist and Physical Educator; Carlos Fernando Ramos de Menezes, Physiotherapist and Director of Challenge Florianópolis.
For further information, visit www.challenge-florianopolis.com.br