Galindez leads “Argentine Armada” into Ironman Brasil Telecom - Triathlon Week

Robert G. · 05-25-2005, 04:28 PM

2003 champion again one of favorites; 125 athletes from Argentina, as race grows again

SÃO PAULO (May 19, 2005) – Ironman Brasil 2003 champion and 2004 runner-up, Argentine triathlon hero Oscar Galindez (Reebok/Memorial/Zipp/Ironman Wetsuits/Oakley/Profile Design), heads the 125-athlete “Argentine Armada” to South America’s biggest race of the year, this coming Sunday’s Ironman Brasil Telecom, on Jurerê International Beach, in the beautiful, southern city, Florianopolis. It’s also the race’s biggest year yet, with 1,172 athletes from 41 nations, and a $50,000 USD purse.

Galindez, who has lived along the beach in Santos (SP), Brasil, for the last nine years, is prepared for his rematch against 2004 winner Olaf Sabatschus (GER) and other world-class athletes from around the globe at South America’s only full-Ironman distance qualifier for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii. Only three male professionals will earn coveted spots among the 50 total to be awarded.

“My expectations are positive. I have had very good preparation, knowing the challenge to compete in an Ironman race. In the last two years I got a place in the podium and I would like to repeat it in this season,” says Oscar. “Ironman Brasil Telecom is one of my main objectives this year. I need to have a good mindset and race without pressure. I want the podium, but only God knows what is going to happen,” adds the 33-year-old triathlete.

A Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics triathlete for Argentina, Galindez has collected many titles in his career, among them – Duathlon World Champion, two-time Pan-American Games bronze medallist, six-time South American triathlon champion, ten-year Argentine triathlon champion, and seven-time Trofeu Brasil series champion. His highlights this year alone include: third place at Half-Ironman Pucon (which he has twice won), second at the Santos International Triathlon, and wins for the second time at the half-iron-distance Half ISS Triathlon, in Mar del Plata, and the Reebok/PowerBar Long Distance, in Ubatuba.

Oscar doesn’t hide his emotions about racing Ironman Brasil Telecom. “I feel happy knowing that I am a local athlete. I keep imagining the people cheering and I am sure that will be exciting, even (more so) because the event grew in terms of organization and number of athletes.”

The Ironman Brasil Telecom 2005 is produced by Latin Sports and sponsored by Brasil Telecom and co-sponsored by Volkswagen and Track & Field. It’s supported by Gatorade, Condomínios Intelligent, Pepsi X, Unimed, Ironman Sunglasses, Barilla and PowerBar, and by the Santa Catarina government, Florianópolis city hall, FETRISC and CBTri. For more information, visit www.ironmanbrazil.com and www.oscargalindez.com.