Sports
Scarabino's IRONMAN Brazil Journey: Training, Texas & SA Challenge
Uruguayan triathlete Federico Scarabino shares his preparation journey, challenges, and the excitement of competing in Brazil.
In an exclusive interview with Stemma Sports, professional triathlete Federico Scarabino details his intense preparation for IRONMAN Brazil 2026. He discusses the challenges of IRONMAN Texas, the rigor of altitude training, and the dynamics of his team, Team PTC. Scarabino also shares his expectations for the race in Florianópolis and his appreciation for the Brazilian fans.
In an exclusive interview live from the Nubank Ultravioleta IRONMAN Brazil 2026, hosts Fabio Bessa and Thiago Kawamura of Stemma Sports spoke with Federico Scarabino, the Uruguayan triathlete who secured 3rd place at IRONMAN Brazil 2025 and was champion of the 70.3 Florianópolis. Scarabino shared details of his preparation, challenges, and expectations for the upcoming race.
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The Preparation Journey and IRONMAN Texas
Federico Scarabino's season began with intense training in Girona, Spain, before focusing on IRONMAN Texas. The race in Texas, though challenging, was positively evaluated by the athlete. He encountered a major unforeseen event: his bike's gear system broke just 5 km into the course, and a penalty for "unintentional littering" forced him to stop, taking him out of the main group and resulting in a 6-minute delay in the bike leg. Despite the setbacks, Scarabino expressed satisfaction with his overall performance, considering it a good start to the season.
Training Strategies and Altitude Adaptation
Preparation for IRONMAN Brazil included a crucial period of altitude training in Colombia, alongside athletes like Luciano and Martin. Scarabino compared this preparation to the previous year, feeling better adapted this year, even with one less week (4 weeks versus 5 in 2025). The decision to have one less week at altitude was strategic, aiming for better sea-level recovery after IRONMAN Texas.
Federico also revealed a shift in his perception of long training sessions. After a more challenging first preparation, he began to appreciate long bike rides, especially when training with Martin Van Riel, which transformed the dynamic and motivation for this type of effort, making it a moment of pleasure in the sport.
The Dynamics of Team PTC
Federico Scarabino is part of Team PTC, a team that started with three athletes in 2018 and now has 15 triathletes. Despite being a team, most of the training is individualized, with about 80% of workouts done alone. Group moments usually involve swimming and, occasionally, long aerobic bike rides, or warm-ups before interval training, where each person follows their own pace. The team gathers for social activities, such as coffee and lunch, but the main focus is the athlete's autonomy in their training routine.
Expectations and the Support of Brazilian Fans
When asked about the favorites for IRONMAN Brazil, Scarabino pointed to Taccone as the main contender, citing his previous victories and course record. However, he emphasized that, as a long Ironman race, many athletes — possibly 10 to 15 — have a chance at the podium, and the outcome is unpredictable. The Uruguayan athlete also highlighted the special affection he has for the Brazilian fans, who already consider him almost a local athlete. He sees the competition as a kind of South American versus European showdown and expresses his gratitude for the support, which motivates him to always return to Brazil.
Federico Scarabino is ready to face another challenge in Florianópolis, driven by solid preparation and the warmth of the fans he so admires.
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