Preview: 2017 Ironman Brazil

The Ironman South American Championships are coming up! Trizone looks at the course and the impressive field due at the races on 27th May.

Course Review

Ironman Brazil is the next regional championship on the 2017 calendar, just weeks after the African and North American Championships. On May 27th, a seriously strong field will descend on Florionopolis, Brazil to fight for plenty of Kona points up for grabs.

Ironman Brazil Swim

Athletes will start the two-loop 2.4 mile swim at Jurere Internacional Beach right out the front of the iconic La Serena Restaurant. Last year, Kevin Collington who placed third, mentioned the swim buoys were hard to see, so bear that in mind! The current was also fairly strong: “A current pushing left made the swim even more difficult,” said Collington.

Ironman Brazil Bike

The two-loop bike course has four major climbs and four major descents although it’s mostly flat. This makes for a very fast bike leg. So fast in fact, many athletes tire themselves out.
“My effort was WAY above Ironman effort and the variability in power was making me uncomfortable about what would happen for the rest of this very long race,” said Collington of the race in 2016.

“Over the course of the first 70k things continued to blow apart – First Will made the decision to ride his own race, then Brent rode off by himself like a man possessed. Igor dropped out, and Paul fell off the pace,” Collington said.

Ironman Brazil Run

The run is mostly flat. It starts with a 13 mile loop with one challenging climb, then progresses to two 6.5 mile loops that are mostly flat. The flat course makes for a fast run leg, although last year’s weather may have hindered the runners slightly.

Who’s tipped to win

The men’s race is tipped to replicate last year’s Ironman Brazil race; Brent McMahon is tipped to win, while Tim Don may make it to the podium. Tyler Butterfield* is unlikely to race as he’s already qualified for Kona, although he’s still on the start list. If he doesn’t, everyone else’s chances will increase. Kyle Buckingham, Andreas Raelert and Igor Amorelli are key performers to watch out for.

• Brent McMahon: 49% (1-1)
• Tyler Butterfield*: 17% (5-1)
• Tim Don: 9% (10-1)
• Kyle Buckingham: 7% (14-1)
• Andreas Raelert: 6% (17-1)
• Igor Amorelli: 3% (28-1)

This year’s women’s race will be the most thrilling Ironman Brazil race in the women’s field for a number of years with Linsey Corbin, fierce Brit Susie Cheetham and last year’s runner up Mareen Hufe all on the start line. While Haley Chura isn’t tipped to take out the top spot, the data may be wrong, as Chura has recovered from injury and is looking stronger than ever.

• Linsey Corbin: 33% (2-1)
• Susie Cheetham: 28% (3-1)
• Mareen Hufe: 19% (4-1)
• Haley Chura: 9% (10-1)
• Laurel Wassner: 4% (23-1)
• Sonja Tajsich: 4% (27-1)

Who won last year- Men?

Despite stormy weather and torrential downpours, Canadian Brent McMahon won last year in a lightning fast time of just 07:46:10. McMahon had a significant lead, and Tim Don of Great Britain ran to second place almost twenty minutes later in 08:04:15. American Kevin Collington placed third, finishing in 08:04:58.

Who won last year- Women?

American Elizabeth Lyles of the USA won last year in 08:54:10, with Mareen Hufe of Germany running into second in 09:09:36, and Spanish Gurutze Frades Larralde coming in third.

Who holds the records?

Brent McMahon’s brilliant course-record run last year helped him attain the overall course record in 2016 with his final time of 07:46:10. Aussie Luke McKenzie’s record swim from 2010 still hasn’t been beaten (42:26)

Elizabeth Lyles set the overall course record last year, but it was the only record set by the women in 2016. Dede Griesbauer set the swim record in 2010 (08:54:10), while Jessie Donavan set the fastest bike time in 2014.