RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Brazilian triathlon made history this Sunday. For the first time in its 20 editions, all held at Jurerê Internacional in Florianópolis (SC), Ironman Brasil had the country’s representatives at the top of the podium in elite, men’s and women’s races in the same edition.
On this rainy Sunday in the capital of Santa Catarina, the Paulista Reinaldo Colucci and Pâmela Oliveira from the state of Espírito Santo were responsible for this great feat and delighted the fans along the route.
Colucci completed the 3.8km swim, 180km bike, and 42.1km run in 7h48m27s, the third-best time on the Brazilian leg of the Ironman Circuit, followed by Igor Amorelli from Santa Catarina with 7h53m10s and Fernando Toldi, also from São Paulo, with 7h59m39s, ensuring an all-Brazilian podium. Colucci and Amorelli won two spots for the 2022 Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, USA.
BRAZILIANS HAVE ALREADY WON SIX TITLES
Pâmela Oliveira, who had said before the race that she wanted to improve her time of 2019, when she was second, kept her word, lowered her time, and achieved the best result of a national athlete in the race, joined the gallery of champions of the race.
Her time was 8h54m01s. The second was Joanna Ryter from Switzerland with 9h06m05s, and the third was Bia Neres from São Paulo with 9h14m05s. Pâmela and Bia will represent the country in Kona, as the runner-up already has a spot.
Brazil has now won six titles at Ironman Brazil. On the women’s side, Fernanda Keller won in 2004 and 2008, Ariane Monticelli won in 2015 and Pâmela Oliveira won in 2022. On the men’s side, before Reinaldo Colucci’s victory this year, only Igor Amorelli of Santa Catarina had won in 2014.
COLUCCI DEFEATS HIS OPPONENTS
The battle for first place in the men’s race began in the first discipline. Colucci and Igor left the water together, closely followed by Frenchman Arnaud Guilloux, who caught up with them on the pedal.
In the race, Colucci started stronger and was able to gradually pull away from his opponents until he took his first victory at Ironman Brazil. Highlight also for Fernando Toldi, who in the end managed to beat the Frenchman and secure a place on the podium.
“I am very happy. I made my debut as a professional here in 2004 and now, 18 years later, I have my first victory. I’ve already achieved a lot in my career, but I was missing this title, and I prepared intensively for the victory. I was sure that I could deliver a good result, and that has been confirmed. I am even happier to have shared the podium with Igor and Fernando,” said the champion. “I want to continue to improve and think about Kona, which is the dream of every athlete. This time together with Igor”.
Igor added another important result. This second place has a special charm for the triathlete. “It was a great relief after some time without any results. It’s good to know that I’m on my way back. It’s still a long way to what I want, but it’s already starting to get better. Another important point was to get the place. I was already thinking that I would not compete there, and it will be special to be there,” said the Santa Catarina-born athlete.
There wasn’t as much competition in the women’s event, as the winner didn’t give her opponents a chance. Pâmela showed that she is in great shape, starting at full speed and building a good lead in the swim, increasing the gap in the pedaling and also in the race. In her second participation in Ironman Brasil, she took the top spot on the podium.
“It was a complete day because I achieved my three goals. If I had only achieved one, I would already be satisfied. The crowd pushes hard and you can’t get discouraged here,” she explained. The triathlete still highlighted her better preparation for swimming.
“In 2019 I didn’t give much importance to the swim, but this time we trained a lot. I was able to swim calmly and keep my rhythm, so I even came out rested. Everything went well, and that’s the most important thing.” (Iúri Totti)
RESULTS
Men: 1st Reinaldo Colucci (BRA), 7h48m27s; 2nd Igor Amorelli (BRA), 7h53m10s; and 3rd Fernando Toldi (BRA), in 7h59m39s.
Women: 1st Pâmela Oliveira (BRA), in 8h54m01s; 2nd Joanna Ryter (SUI), in 9h06m05s; and 3rd Bia Neres (BRA), in 9h14m45s.
Ironman Brazil Champions
2001-Eduardo Sturla (ARG), in 8h11m10s / Wendy Ingraham (USA), in 9h10m02s;
2002-Spencer Smith (GBR), in 8h15m38s / Nicole Leder (GER), in 9h24m45s.
2003 – Oscar Galindez (ARG), in 8h16m10s / Bárbara Buenahora (ARG), in 9h33m21s
2004 – Olaf Sabatchus (GER), in 8h19m32s / Fernanda Keller (BRA), in 9h26m05s;
2005 – Olaf Sabatchus (GER), in 8h50m56s / Joanna Zeiger (USA), in 9h29m43s.
2006 – Oscar Galindez (ARG), in 8h15m18 / Lisbeth Kristensen (DIN), in 9h20m46s
2007 – Oscar Galindez (ARG), in 8h21min11s / Nina Kraft (USA), in 9h12min39s
2008 – Eduardo Sturla (ARG), in 8h28m24s / Fernanda Keller (BRA), in 9h24m49s
2009 – Eduardo Sturla (ARG), in 8h13m38s / Dede Griesbauer (USA), in 9h10m14s
2010 – Luke McKenzie (AUS), in 8h07m38s / Tereza Macel (CAN), in 9h26m08s;
2011 – Eduardo Sturla, (ARG), in 8h15m03s / Amy Marsh (USA), in 9h09m39s;
2012 – Ezequiel Morales (ARG), in 8h22m40s / Sofie Goss (BEL), in 9h17min42;
2013 – Timothy ODonnell (USA), in 8h01m32s / Amanda Stevens (USA), in 9h05m52s;
2014 – Igor Amorelli (BRA), in 8h07m53s / Sara Gross (CAN), in 8h56m34s;
2015 – Marino Vanhoenacker (BEL), in 7h53m44s / Ariane Monticeli (BRA), 8h59m08s;
2016 – Brent McMahon (CAN), in 7h46m11s / Elizabeth Lyles (USA), in 8h54m11s;
2017 – Tim Don (GBR), in 7h40m23s / Susie Cheetham (GBR), in 8h52m00s;
2018 – Jesper Svensson (SUE), in 8h08m06s / Kirsty Jahn (DIN), in 8h54m57s;
2019 – Andrew Potts (USA), in 8h02m57s / Sarah Piampiano (USA), in 8h40m48s; and
2022 – Reinaldo Colucci (BRA), in 7h48m27s / Pâmela Oliveira (BRA), in 8h54m01s.