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22 year old Vanessa Fernandes from Portugal is the current ITU World Champion and has already won more ITU World Cup events than any other person in history. She is a clear favorite for the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing and she was kind enough to share a few of her thoughts.


ST: Vanessa, you are the current ITU World Champion and you just won your 20th ITU World Cup triathlon. What are you most proud of?

Vanessa: Having won the World and European title in 2007 was very important to me. But I’m proud to be the World Cup triathlon record holder.


ST: You won the World Cup race in Beijing in 2007 and looked very dominant. How confident are you about the Olympic triathlon this summer on that same course?

Vanessa: Being in the Olympic games was one of my goals, and my coaches and I have been preparing for this course over the last years. I’m feeling very good at the time and I’m going to give the best there. But every race is different.


ST: What is on schedule for you for 2008?

Vanessa: I’m going to Vancouver to the world championships, then to Hamburg ITU triathlon, and finally Olympic games.

ST: Can you describe a typical mid season training week for you?

Vanessa: My day starts early at 6am, I usually start by swimming for about two hours. Then I take a small lunch and rest a little before the cycling training, which can last about 2 - 3 hours. After lunch I sleep a little again and at the end of the afternoon I train again, usually running. At the end of the day I do massage or gym.


ST: What sports did you take part when you grew up?

Vanessa: At age 6 I started swimming, at age 13 I joined a track club and at age 16 I started Triathlon.


ST: Your dad was a professional cyclist, is that who inspired you to pick up cycling and triathlon?

Vanessa: Yes, my father is my big inspiration.


ST: Do you have a favorite race, and if so, what is it?

Vanessa: My favorite race is the ITU triathlon in Madrid where I won in the last 6 participations. It was my first victory in ITU world cup and it is my talisman race.


ST: What is going on for you in terms of sponsorships?

Vanessa: I have important sponsors such as Halcon Viagens, Nike, Volkswagen, Litespeed, Zipp, Giro, Aquaman, Isostar, Green Pepper and Carlos Cruz & Associados. Plus I would like to have some more concerning products that I need for my activity. ☺

ST: Do you follow any other sports?

Vanessa: I follow sports in general, but not anything specific. I like, cycling a lot and also running.


ST: What is your favorite food?

Vanessa: I eat pretty well almost everything, but I avoid fats. I love my mother’s food. I also love bread.


ST: Could you share with us what the last book was you read?

Vanessa: The Lance Armstrong Biography, Living Strong.


ST: What about music, what do you like?

Vanessa: I hear a bit of everything in my mp3. Mostly relaxing music.


ST: Typically we want to know where you see yourself in 5 years, but since you are only 22, that seems like an odd question. Or is it possible that with all your successes so early that you just might retire very early too?

Vanessa: Sincerely I don’t think much about the right time to retire now. It’s too soon, for now I’ll keep going. I only want to do what I love, and that is sport as long as I can.


ST: Is there anything else we should know about you?

Vanessa: Well, I love to see the public at the events, and hope more people came to the races and support triathlon athletes.



For more information on Vanessa Fernandes check her website vanessafernandes.net