Enzo Krauss Breaks Down IRONMAN 70.3 Curitiba Course

In his final preparations for the Nubank Ultravioleta IRONMAN 70.3 Curitiba, Enzo Krauss heads into the 2026 season fueled by a strong trajectory of growth. Looking back on the previous year, the triathlete highlighted that his main breakthrough went beyond podium finishes, coming down to tactical and mental maturity against an increasingly competitive professional field.

Having bypassed the traditional junior short-course pipeline, Krauss used recent seasons to study the racing styles and strategies of his rivals across middle- and long-distance events. For 2026, his planning began earlier, featuring periodization adjustments, a brand-new bike setup, and improved performance balance across the swim, bike, and run.

The 20-meter rule and bike split dynamics

Krauss expects the Curitiba course to be fast and relentless from the start, leaving no room for complacency. In his view, the profile's punchy, steep climbs combined with the strict 20-meter non-drafting zone—replacing the traditional 12 meters—will significantly break up the field over the 90-kilometer bike leg.

Under the expanded draft zone, race execution requires heightened vigilance from both competitors and officials. Krauss notes that uphill sections, where drafting rules apply differently, will naturally disrupt pack flow and spark frequent attacks. This dynamic promises to turn the bike segment into the race's defining battleground, testing competitors' pacing and nutrition under continuous surges.