After a year full of memorable races, Sunday, 4 December sees the Challenge Family season finale with the sold-out Challenge Florianópolis featuring a world-class field racing for podium finishes on the stunning ‘Magic Isle’.
On paper, the biggest favourites are Reinaldo Colucci and Pamella Oliveira, both vying for a victory in their home country. Colucci has been in perfect shape all season, with several podium finishes. Most notable were his third place at Challenge Roth, fourth place at Challenge Puerto Varas together with a win at IM Brazil. A strong all-around athlete, Colucci often finishes races with a very strong run.
Still, Colucci will not get the victory as a gift; he can expect strong competition from Andre Lopez, Luciano Taccone and Fernando Toldi. Like Colucci, Taccone is also a very strong runner, so that could make for an interesting dynamic. Taconne and Colucci met earlier this season; in fact, Taccone finished third at Challenge Puerto Varas, staying ahead of Colucci at the time. Toldi also raced there and finished eighth, so now he will give everything he has to stay ahead of his competitors.
In the women’s race, most eyes are on Pamella Oliveira; the Brazilian athlete is known for her strong swim/bike combination and can handle hot and humid conditions well. This year she had several good finishes including second at Clash Miami and a win at IM Brazil. Oliveira is by far the biggest favourite for victory at Challenge Florianópolis, but can expect opposition from Bruna Mahn, Rachel Olsen, Nicole Valentine and Bruna Stolf, among others.
Challenge Florianópolis is set on one of the most beautiful coastlines in Brazil and is also the Brazilian National Championship Grand Final, deciding the Brazilian long distance national champions of 2022. Race start is at 5:50am local time on Sunday 4 December.
