La Estrella, the oldest daily newspaper in Panamá and the second oldest in South America, closely followed two of those trainings and interviewd Pedro Cordovez (national champion on several occasions) and Fernando Alfaro (a bronze medal at the 2010 Central American Games) about their preparation plan.
'We will give all our best... The work is already done, we have trained for at least four to five months to address this complicated test ', said Alfaro, for whom the cycling route will be the most complicated.
'The bicycle is the most difficult. There is a rout of provided elevations, and therefore, we have worked on that aspect, "said Alfaro.
The majority of the national athletes were prepared in the Albrook pool and the route where the competition will take place.
On the other hand, Cordovez explained that the Panamanians are expected to be on the podiums of different amateur categories.
'We have made a good preparation and have the advantage of knowing the terrain, "said Cordovez. "I think the chances of Panamanians being on the podium of the different categories are wide.’
Dementiev Carolina is another Panamanian woman who was on the weekend preparation.
'Everything has been difficult during this prepation process. We had sacrificed other commitments in order to be at the practices every day. "said the TV presenter, who is also looking to win its category.
The Panamanians Emanuel Lemma, Cristina Mata, Malcom Provost, Liana Licona, Lotty Harari, Ronan Pavoni, Van Hoorde, Patricia Real, Pablo Testa, Gaetano Goldoni, and Martín Sosa are also strong candidates to win the competition.
Mario Perez, from the Organizing Committee, said there will be 40 professional competitors and at least a thousand amateur participants, including 10 percent of local triathletes.
STARTING POINT
The race will start at 6:30am from the waters of the Panama Canal entrance on the dock of Balboa Yacht Club.
The second phase will consists of 90 kilometers cycling, which will move up Las Américas Bridge, reach the old checkpoint of La Chorrera Highway, return, entering the city through Los Mártires Avenue, take the Cinta Costera and return to the transition area next to the Gehry Museum and begin the 21 kilometer run on the Causeway and ultimately, reach the finish line at the Figali Convention Center.
