Moletta, Vanlandingham win XTERRA Brazil

Felipe Moletta and Shonny Vanlandingham won the XTERRA Brazil Championship amidst thunder showers in the Amazon near Manaus on Saturday, June 23.

Moletta, the top ranked Brazilian at XTERRA Worlds last year, edged Rodrigo Altafini by just under a minute while Vanlandingham chased down Luzia Bello and Sabrina Gobbo on the run to win her second Brazil Championship crown in three years.

“I had an amazing experience in the Amazon,” said Vanlandingham, who shares her experience with us here…

“The day before the race I joined a handful of people for an Amazon survival course in the jungle taught by the Brazilian military.   We learned the proper way to hang sleeping hammocks, bug nets and rain tarps which turned out to be very important in the rain forest!  Then we learned the most important survival tip, finding pure water to drink...from a tree.  Fire was next on the agenda, attained in many ways depending on what tools you have, to cook the Tameaqui fish found in the Amazon.

On race morning I awoke in my hammock to lots of unfamiliar sounds.  The race, of course, starts in the Amazon River and while I didn't see any crocks or piranhas, I’m sure I set my PR for a swim…sure didn't want to get left behind in those waters!

Just as I exited the river, it started to rain...Now, I've raced in a lot of rain, mainly bike races in Europe, but not rain like this.  It was literally a monsoon in the jungle.  The bike course was super fun, muddy in the jungle single track but once we got out on the clay road sections it was slippery as you would image, like riding on ice.  Crazy!  I crashed hard going UP hill!  The military told us that the abundant population of Jaguar would not bother us because they were afraid.  Hmmm, okay. That's what I kept telling myself as I hurried through the jungle.

After transitioning from bike to run it was back to the jungle single track.  The rain was so heavy that I could barely see.  Hydrating wasn't a problem, there was so much water running down my face.  I learned quickly not to grab trees to help you balance when sliding down a steep embankment.  Thorny trees cut my hands to shreds.   I came from 3rd off of the bike to take the lead during the run and held on for the win. 

After traveling and racing for many years, some venues you forget.  Not this one!  An experience of the lifetime, racing in the Amazon!  Selva!”   

Top 5 Men
Felipe Moletta (BRA) 2:27:34
Rodrigo Altafini (BRA) 2:28:30
Bruno Silva (BRA) 2:47:37
Gabriel Domeniconi (BRA) 2:48:54
Marcelino Pinto (BRA) 2:49:28

Top 5 Women
Shonny Vanlandingham (USA) 3:07:03
Luzia Bello (BRA) 3:08:45
Sabrina Gobbo (BRA) 3:16:03
Manuela Vilaseca (BRA) 3:18:28
Isabella Ribeiro (BRA) 4:00:35

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