Interview with Carolina Routier, best Spanish in the Rio'16 Olympic ranking

Taking advantage of the fact that the 2015 season has ended and after the well-deserved vacation, we have talked with Carolina Routier, the best Spanish in the ranking of the ranking for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

 

 

Since its ITU debut in the Quarteira European Cup in 2010 has not stopped growing every year, getting this 2015 the best result of a Spanish WTS, being 4 in Edmonton.

Hello Carolina, I would like to congratulate you for your recent graduation from the UOC in Communication. How do you combine the studies, with the trainings, trips and competitions?

I take advantage of the breaks between sessions to read, and the days of less training load to do the heavier jobs. I try to overtake also during the long airplane trips. When the competitions are approaching, although it seems to be a lie, it is when I have more time to dedicate to the studies, since the hours of training are less and studying is not a physical effort.

Tell us a little about your workouts. How are the days in the Filliol group with so many ITU elite triathletes?

The workouts follow a pattern that is repeated week after week, so that our day to day can seem a bit boring and monotonous. We usually train the three disciplines every day, we swim all together, we go by bike in small groups and make the race on foot according to rhythms and intensities.

You are one of the best swimmers in the ITU circuit and you are also always very active on the bike pulling the head of the group. The race on foot is your Achilles heel, although every year you progress, in your case, have you trained more specifically on foot? Is there any part of the year where you do some more specific block?

Since I started competing in the World Series circuit I was very clear that the best formula to improve my career on foot is constant work and patience. Obviously in recent years I have emphasized the race on foot but I have not forgotten the other two modes. Maybe in summer I include some extra track session a week instead of a water session, but that's it.

In general terms, what is your assessment of your 2105 season?

This season I was able to achieve my best results as a triathlete, achieving a fourth place in the Edmonton World Series (Canada) and a seventh place in the Tongyeong World Cup (South Korea), as well as consolidating in the Olympic Ranking (37 position) facing Rio 2016. Therefore, my assessment is good and I am satisfied with all the work done to date.

 

In Edmonton you got the best result of your career. Could you summarize the competition a bit? How did you feel?

Since swimming I was very good, I was able to lead that segment during the 750 meters and continue working on the bike with a group of 15 triathletes. I think what made the difference was the confidence and determination with which I faced the race on foot, which of course was joined by feeling strong and good feelings.

I am sure that in 2016 you will repeat more performances like Edmonton, since you have been working hard for it. How far do you think you can progress in 2016?

My goal is to continue improving in the three disciplines and compete better than the previous season. For this I will work as best I can, to be able to match or improve the results of the 2015.

After several seasons competing in most of the WTS, what is your favorite competition? And the one you like the least?

One of my favorite competitions is Stockholm, because of the demand that it involves on a bike and the charm of competing in the heart of a big city. On the other hand, the races that I like the least are those where the temperature and humidity is very high, such as Huatulco (Mexico).

You are focused on the WTS and the Olympic classification, where you are the first Spanish player in the world ranking ... I suppose that in 2016 the main objective is the Olympic Games. River. do not? This year you competed in the Olympic circuit. Is it as hard as it seems? How did you feel at the Rio Test?

For almost three years my main objective has been to try to get the place for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. This year I had the luck to compete in the same circuit where the Games will be played next year, and I personally liked it a lot. I think the circuit is demanding in all three disciplines, especially by bike, where unlike the Olympic Games in London 2012, it will mean more wear for the triathletes.

And for a long-term future ... These years you are practically playing only World Cups, WTS and French GP. Of the triathlons you have not yet run, is there one that catches your attention and you would like to dispute in the future? Do the tests without drafting and MD attract you?

No doubt there are many triathlons that catch my attention and that I would love to run. I like to travel a lot and especially to travel by sport, so I do not rule out doing triathlons, after the Olympic Games, in countries that I do not know yet. On the other hand, yes I am attracted by the tests without drafting and the MD, in fact I am passionate about everything related to triathlon!

 

Completing an ITU season at the highest level requires significant costs. Who supports you in your career as a professional triathlete? Any special thanks?

I am lucky to have the support of great brands that have accompanied me since my inception as a professional triathlete. These are (I hope not to leave any): Spiuk, Macario, Stevens, Hotels Viva, Roka, Asics, Oakley, Sacyr, Ucam Federació Catalana de Triathlon and Aquawiz.

And without a doubt, I would never have enough words to thank my immediate surroundings for all the effort they make for me.

Thank you very much for the interview and to share this little bit with the readers of Triathlon News, we wish you the best for this 2016 and we are sure that we will see you in Rio fighting with the best.

Thanks to you and greetings to all the readers of the web.

Juan José Martí Navío @jjnavio