Santiago and Gianini take the victory at TriStar 111 Rio de Janeiro

Fantastic event with amateur and professional athletes was held on Sunday in Aterro do Flamengo. The debut edition of Tristar in Flamengo Rio gathered more than 800 amateur and professional athletes in two very special events of 55.5km and 111km on Sunday (October 14).

On a day with perfect weather conditions and pleasant temperatures, the fantastic Monumento dos Pracinhas, beach and Aterro do Flamengo were welcoming the organization setting for the realization of this first edition of Tristar Rio in Brazil.

The first triathlete to complete the entire race route of 111km (1km swim, 100 bike race and 10) was Ascenco Santiago, one of the best Brazilian long distance athlete, including three-time champion Brazil’s Trophy and second in Ironman Brazil this year. “It’s very special to win this first edition of Tristar in my country, it is a new age for Triathlon. I hope the sport will grow even more with these events, “said the champion who finished the course in 3:12:58.

After a mass start from the beach in front of the Pan de Azucar, Marcus Fernandes was first out of the water followed by a group of 5 people in which Marcus Ornellas local heroe and TriStar ambassador was more than motivated to push hard on the bike course.After 30k on the bike Marcus Fernandes wass leading, Gustavo Slaib was second with 1 minute gap, Adriano Sacchetto, Alvaro Couthino, Marcus Ornellas, Antonio Filho and Fabio Carvalho were together in the chasing group at 30 seconds behind.

The group stayed together during the flat and fast bike course along the coast passing Flamengo Beach and Botafogo Beach. After 75k, Luiz Ferreira took the lead and wanted to get out of the small group where Marcus Ornellas, Adriano Sacchetto and Santiago Ascenco were chasing him. Finally they arrived all together and the fight could start for the 10k run course.

On the run Santiago Ascenco made the difference and when Marcus Ornellas was cramps suffering, Ascenco increase his advance to be the first TriStar 111 Rio de Janeiro winner with an excellent time of 3 hours and 12 minutes. Adriano Sachetto keep the pace on Luiz Ferreira and finished second only 1 minute in front of his collegue Ferreira.

On the women field, the three-time champion Brazilian Triathlon Vanessa Gianini had an excellent performance in the race and secured the first place. She completed the course in 3:34:52, followed by Suzana Festner, which ended the race in 3:37:30. Bruna Mahn secured third place in this inaugural edition of TriStar 111 Rio, to finish the race in 3:44:44.

TriStar 55.5km
Aside from the 111 race, the TriStar Rio conducted by Star Events South America in partnership with sports marketing agency One Sports Business was also proposing a shorter distance race with a very interesting format of 55.5km (0.5km swimming, 50km cycling and 5km race).

In this race, the triathlete Carla Moreno had the best result and secured the top of the podium, while finishing the course in 2:01:59. Andrea Carloni finished the race in 2:20:25, followed by Maria Brandão Tavares, with 02:23:21, ended his participation in the TriStar River 55.5

In the men race, the Brazilian who represented the country in London Olympics, Diogo Sclebin did a high level performance and received the gold medal by finishing with the fastest time of 01:47:13. Wesley Matos arrived shortly after and placed himself second in 1:50:12. The triathlete Pedro Freitas also had a notable performance and completed the course in 1:51:08 for the third place.

In addition to professional and amateur triathletes who participated in this fun edition of TriStar Rio de Janeiro, some personalities present at the event, as Mario Moraes, João Paulo Diniz and rapper Tulio Deck. The mastermind of the TriStar in Brazil, the driver Lucas di Grassi also participated in the 111km race and really liked the outcome of the event.

“This race is very well organized, athletes are very pleased about this inaugural edition of Tristar Rio. I have attended other events and this event has undoubtedly the set up for the most interesting and most beautiful event in Brazil,” says the athlete. “There are still some details to be improved, but overall, the result is very positive”, says Lucas.

All results and photos can be found in www.tristarlive.com and www.tristarriodejaneiro.com.