Sports
Sasha Caterina at Ironman 70.3 Brasília: Heat, Bike, and Lasagna
The Swiss-French athlete shares his thoughts on the race, his passion for the sport, and life beyond triathlon.
Meet Sasha Caterina, the triathlete who traveled to Brazil for the Ironman 70.3 Brasília. He reveals the challenges of the heat, his race strategy, and insights into his routine. An exclusive interview on high performance and balance.
In special coverage by Stemma Sports at the Nubank Ultravioleta Ironman 70.3 Brasília, presenter Bruna Mahn spoke with triathlete Sasha Caterina. Sasha, who has a mix of French and Italian origins, discussed his expectations for the competition, the challenges of adapting to the Brazilian climate, and his journey in the sport.
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The Fascination with Brazil and the Challenge of the Heat
Sasha Caterina revealed that he had always wanted to visit Brazil and took the opportunity of the Ironman 70.3 Brasília to combine competition with tourism, alongside his girlfriend. Besides getting to know the country, his main goal is to qualify for the World Championship in Nice. He expressed his enchantment with Brazil's beauty but did not hide the main challenge: the intense heat.
Adapting to the tropical climate is crucial, especially during the hottest part of the day. Sasha emphasizes the importance of hydration and all safety measures to prevent heat exhaustion that could jeopardize the race. "Yesterday I suffered a lot; I hope not to suffer as much in the competition," the athlete commented, showing awareness of the climatic conditions.
Bike Strategy and Professional Life
After testing the bike course, Sasha felt optimistic. "It's a course I really like; it's a bit undulating," he said. Considered his strongest discipline, cycling is where he intends to "push" hardest to stay with the best and achieve a good result. He arrived in Brazil just two days before the race and confessed to having tried the famous pão de queijo (cheese bread) but avoided other new foods to not take risks before the competition.
Surprisingly, Sasha Caterina is not a full-time professional athlete. He works as a mason in Switzerland and is grateful that his company gives him the freedom to compete. After five years dedicated 100% to the sport as a professional, he chose to return to work to reduce stress and rediscover the joy of competing, showing the importance of balance in the life of a high-performance athlete.
A Triathlete's Curiosities
Sasha shares some curiosities about his routine and preferences:
- Training music: He listens to everything from System of a Down to current commercial songs, showing an eclectic taste.
- Triathlon hero: Since childhood, he has admired Kristian Blummenfelt, who is now a benchmark and a great source of motivation.
- Post-race food: Despite enjoying a good burger, his favorite food to celebrate with after a race is lasagna.
- Support: His partner is the one who encourages him to train and dedicate himself to the sport, showing the importance of family support.
After the race in Brasília, Sasha plans to visit Rio de Janeiro for a few days before returning to work. The Stemma Sports team wished him an excellent competition and always a warm welcome back to Brazil.
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