Sarah Schoenfelder at IRONMAN 70.3 Brasília: Strategy and Strength

In an exclusive interview live from the Nubank Ultravioleta IRONMAN 70.3 Brasília 2026, German triathlete Sarah Schoenfelder spoke with Fabio Bessa and Thiago Kawamura. In her first time in Brazil, Sarah shared her impressions of the country, strategies for the competition, and her passion for high-performance sports, revealing details about her preparation and expectations for the race. The conversation, full of personal insights, showcases the mindset of an athlete striving for excellence and enjoyment in every challenge.

Impressions of Brazil and the Strategic Choice of Brasília

Landing in Brazil for the first time for the Nubank Ultravioleta IRONMAN 70.3 Brasília 2026, German triathlete Sarah Schoenfelder did not hide her enthusiasm. Alongside Fabio Bessa and Thiago Kawamura, the coverage hosts, Sarah highlighted the warm welcome from the people, the richness of the local cuisine, and the pleasant climate – a welcome contrast to the cold still prevalent in Germany. This cultural and climatic experience perfectly aligns with her strategic choice of Brasília for the first race of the season. The decision was motivated by the desire to acclimatize to the warmer climate and to experience a new challenge in a different competitive setting. Although the course is new to her, Sarah anticipates a fast race, a type of challenge that she enjoys and that drives her running style.

The Passion for Cycling: A Strength in Triathlon

For Sarah Schoenfelder, cycling is not just one of the three triathlon disciplines; it is her greatest passion and where she finds her main strength. "It's the best part of triathlon for me, riding my bike and training," confesses the athlete, emphasizing the deep connection she has with her bike. This affinity translates into notable performance, and she plans to use her maximum power during the cycling leg in Brasília. Her mental approach to races is quite particular: Sarah is not a fan of exhaustive mental visualizations of the course before the competition. Instead, she prefers to focus on the experience itself, the joy of cycling, and the opportunity to race on a course described as "beautiful." Her primary goal is simple but powerful: to have fun, give her best effort, and enjoy every moment of the challenge, without being tied to rigid outcome expectations. This lighthearted yet focused mindset is a key advantage when facing the pressures of a high-level race.

Rhythm, Inspirations, and Post-Race Rituals

During training, the German triathlete turns to electronic music to maintain rhythm and motivation, prioritizing the energetic beat that propels her through each pedal stroke or run. Far from fictional superheroes, Sarah finds her greatest inspirations in her family, especially her parents. Affectionately, she refers to her father as her "cycling superhero," acknowledging the influence and strength he imparted to her in the sport. Beyond triathlon, Sarah has a declared passion for soccer, being a fervent supporter of FC Bayern Munich, her favorite team in Germany. And after the monumental effort of a race, her reward rituals are clear and comforting: a good ice cream immediately after crossing the finish line and a delicious pizza to end the night. Recently, in an emotional Mother's Day message, Sarah expressed her gratitude and love, highlighting her mother's constant concern about her speed on bike descents, although she acknowledges that in Brasília, with its flat course, her mother will be more at ease.

The interview with Sarah Schoenfelder at IRONMAN 70.3 Brasília offers an authentic and inspiring perspective. Her combination of passion, strategy, and a relaxed approach to high performance resonates with Stemma Sports' philosophy of inspiring people to live their best lives. May her performance in Brasília be as vibrant as her personality!