Sports
Fernanda Penkal Breaks Down the Ironman 70.3 Curitiba Course
The local triathlete highlights the technical bike segment, clean Passaúna waters, and women's empowerment at the inaugural race.
In an interview with Stemma Sports, Fernanda Penkal discussed the technical details of the Ironman 70.3 Curitiba course. The local triathlete broke down the bike course climbs, water conditions at Passaúna Reservoir, and shared her perspective on women in endurance sports.
Racing on home turf in the debut of the Nubank Ultravioleta Ironman 70.3 Curitiba, professional triathlete Fernanda Penkal knows the roads and waters of Paraná's capital better than most. The updated bike course, which added a more technical and demanding section, was welcomed with enthusiasm by the Curitiba native, who regularly trains in the region for international competitions.
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Technical challenge across the 20 km bike section
With an accumulated elevation gain of around 1,100 meters, the defining feature of the bike course is concentrated in a 20 km section marked by constant rolling hills. According to Fernanda, this stretch does not allow athletes to settle into a steady rhythm, requiring technical focus on corners, steep climbs, and fast descents. For those preparing for tough international races—such as the World Championships in Nice or European events like Cascais—the route offers a level of elevation rarely found on the Brazilian circuit.
Beyond the physical demand, Penkal highlighted the scenic rural backdrop, surrounded by farms and smooth pavement. Her advice for tackling the inclines is to stay mentally disciplined and use the scenery to ease the tension of the course.
Clean water at Passaúna and favorable weather
The swim, held at the Passaúna reservoir, positively surprised athletes who tested the venue ahead of the race. Fernanda praised the water quality, noting the absence of mud or debris, which delivers a clean and smooth swim experience.
Compared to other stops on the national circuit—such as the humid heat of Aracaju—Curitiba's forecast calls for mild mornings with sun and a cool breeze. Although she faced periods off running due to injury, the athlete emphasized her consistent progress on the bike as she aims for a podium finish in front of the home crowd.
Female representation on International Women's Day
Scheduled for March 8, the race coincides with International Women's Day. Fernanda used the opportunity to encourage female participation in long-distance endurance sports, emphasizing that equal distances and course profiles should inspire more women to take the starting line in both amateur and professional divisions.
When asked about hormonal impacts and the menstrual cycle during high-performance training, the triathlete emphasized the importance of understanding individual physiological responses without turning them into mental hurdles, praising athletes' resilience and ability to perform on the toughest competition days.
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