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One of the biggest stars in Spanish sport, the triathlon champion Alejandro Santamaría, tells us in this interview how he has trained over the last few months and his plans to compete again.
Alejandro Santamaría's professional career has been really amazing. A professional triathlete since 1996 with a spectacular record, he is one of the biggest stars in Spanish triathlon, a sport that Zafiro Hotels is also passionate about, with no less than 28 IRONMAN competitions behind him.
For Alejandro, the triathlon is a way of life. Not only does he spend his time preparing for and participating in races all around the world, he is also a triathlon coach and trainer and organises his own sports events and campuses.
We had a chat with Alejandro to find out a bit more about how he has adapted his training over recent months due to the health crisis and what his plans for the future are.
How are you doing Alejandro? How have you spent the last few months?
It’s been a really difficult situation for everybody, but as I’m a very positive person, I tried to look at it as like being on holiday at home. And I’ve also spent the time doing other things which I never had time for before.
I’ve been trying to stay fit doing indoor workouts and also organising online exercise sessions for my athletes.
How have you managed to stay positive and keep your motivation up over recent months?
With a lot of patience. Those of us that compete in IRONMAN events work a lot on being patient, and that also helps us in extreme situations like this. One new and very rewarding experience has been the online training sessions we’ve been having several times a week.
We have heard you say that "triathlon is a way of life, and it’s always been with me." Tell us about how you got started. How did you become a triathlete?
Well, I think it all started with my admiration for my older brothers. Some of them used to take part in competitions and, as the youngest of 10 children, at home it was normal for me to go and see them compete as we lived in a really sporty family. And then, in 1993, I took part in my first triathlon at the age of 15.
Your record is really impressive: 4 times world champion, 3 times European champion, 11 medals with the Spanish national team, several podiums in IRONMAN events... Of all of your achievements, which brings you the most special memories, and why?
In 1997 I was duathlon junior world champion, a few days after my mother passed away. And more recently, my victory in the Vitoria-Gasteiz IRONMAN triathlon event in 2018 was also very special.
I’d already won the event back in 2014, and it’s an event that I really like. It’s close to home, a great route, very popular and with a great crowd. That year, I really got myself well prepared and ready to win as the previous year I had been one of the favourites to win but ended up having to walk the course due to injury problems, and I wanted to give back some of the love to all my followers.
We know you know all about Mallorca, and that you’ve taken part in several competitions on the island such as the TriStar Mallorca or the Peguera-Mallorca Challenge, the European Middle Distance Triathlon Championship, etc. Tell us about your experience in Mallorca. What were your feelings?
Mallorca is the best place in the world for cycling and also for triathlon. I’ve actually been visiting the island for many years and it’s the place that I would choose to live because it has everything. I have competed many times in all kinds of competitions on the island, including IRONMAN events and the European Middle Distance Championship, where I came in 4th.
You know that Zafiro Hotels is very committed to sport and we would love to share some new experiences with you on the island. When will we see you back in Mallorca?
I’d love to visit the island this summer. And if everything goes well, in October I hope to take part in the Mallorca 312 bike race. I can’t wait to see the beautiful scenery on the route, the weather and the charming surroundings.
The Mallorca 312 race, one of the top events for cycling fans, will be held next October 10. There are 3 different challenges with a 312, 225 or 167km route through some of the most impressive scenery in the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains. The route is full of contrasts, and climbs up to almost 900m before a descent that finally ends in Playa de Muro.
Make the most of the opportunity Zafiro Hotels gives you to enjoy this cycling experience in the best possible way with your friends or family in our hotels in Can Picafort and Puerto de Alcudia. Sport, relaxation and fun on the shores of the Mediterranean.
Live and love sport with Zafiro Hotels!
