Macarena Salazar: Chile's Strategy for IRONMAN 70.3 Rio
Chilean triathlete and Puerto Varas champion details her preparation and expectations for IRONMAN 70.3 Rio.
Macarena Salazar, the IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Varas champion, gave an exclusive interview ahead of the race in Rio de Janeiro. She shares the challenges of training in the Chilean winter and adapting to Rio's heat, as well as her goals and reunions with rivals.
During the Nubank Ultravioleta IRONMAN 70.3 Rio de Janeiro coverage, presenters Fabio Bessa and Thiago Kawamura of Stemma Sports spoke with Chilean triathlete Macarena Salazar. The IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Varas champion shared her expectations, challenges, and strategies for the Rio race, which marks her first time competing in Rio, although she has previously been to Brasília for a World Cup.
Climate Adaptation and Training in Santiago
Macarena highlighted the stark climate contrast between her training location and Rio de Janeiro. In Santiago, where she lives, the Chilean winter means very cold temperatures and rain, requiring indoor training. The shift to Rio's intense heat is one of her biggest challenges. However, Santiago offers altitude training opportunities during the summer, utilizing the Andes Mountains. Choosing Brazil for the competition was strategic, seeking a race during the Southern Hemisphere winter, with the advantage of geographical proximity.
Known Rivals and Strengths
The Chilean triathlete showed a good understanding of her competitors, mentioning names like Pamela, Vitória, and Jennifer. Although Vitória would not be competing due to health issues, Macarena expressed a desire for a good race dynamic with the others. With a solid swimming background since childhood, she also emphasized her cycling improvement, attributed to a year and a half of work with her coach, Luciano Taccone, who is well-known in Brazil.
In her victory in Puerto Varas, the swimming leg was shortened due to bad weather, but Macarena managed to get ahead. Following Taccone's guidance to "push hard on the bike" (meterle forte na bici), she built a good lead in cycling, which allowed her to "arrive dancing" (chegar bailando) at the finish line.
Expectations for the Rio Course
For IRONMAN 70.3 Rio, Macarena aims for a podium finish, but acknowledges that the heat will be a critical factor. Curiously, her coach had informed her that the weather in Rio would be milder, an expectation that did not materialize. She also revealed she hadn't seen the race course but expressed a liking for climbs, which could be a positive point in sections like the tunnel. The previous year's experience in Rio, with a shortened swim and colder weather, was recalled, showing how conditions can vary.
With determination and her team's support, Macarena Salazar is ready to face the challenges of IRONMAN 70.3 Rio de Janeiro, seeking a great performance and, perhaps, another spot on the podium, always with the joy of "dancing" at the finish.