Costa Rica’s Alia Cardinale and Brazilian Reinaldo Colucci won the 2012 Santiago ITU Triathlon Pan American Cup and South American Championships held last weekend in Chile.

In the elite women’s race Cardinale claimed the title, finishing the race in 2:07:58, ahead of Brazilian Carolina Furriela with Yun-Jung Jang from Korea in third.

Carolina Trewhela came first out of the water along with Colombian Diana Castillo, 30 seconds ahead of Cardinale and Jang. Close behind was a group that included locals Favia Diaz, Pamela Tastets and Andrea Longueira. On the bike, the Chilean pushed hard to get to the front.

Diana Castillo (COL) pulled out in the first lap and Longueira was forced to withdraw due to a puncture leaving Diaz, Tastets, Cardinale and Jang one minute behind Carolina Trewhela (CHI).

On the fifth lap a number of the cyclists were involved in a crash, among them Jang and Diaz. Diaz seriously affected by the fall then took a wrong turn when she got back on the bike and was later disqualified.

On the run Cardinale took off and ran away with the win, while Diaz crossed the line in second but soon learned of her disqualification and the silver went to Furriela.

In the men’s elite race Brazilian Reinaldo Colucci claimed the title in Piedra Roja, Santiago de Chile finishing in a time of 1:47:13, ahead of Mexico’s Irving Perez and fellow Brazilian Mauro Cavanha Conceicao crossed the line 48 seconds after the winner for bronze.

Colucci was among the first out of the water on the swim alongside Wesley Matos (BRA), Perez and Carlos Javier Quinchara Forero (COL).

Together with Cavanha Conceicao (BRA) and Matos, Colucci set the pace of the race. Behind them, Americans Kevin Collington and Barrett Brandon who entered T1 with the leaders, were struggling to keep up with the pace.

On the run, Perez managed to overtake Matos and Cavanha Conceicao, but couldn’t catch Colucci who took a comfortable win.

Colucci has already secured a London 2012 Olympic spot for Brazil following his win at the 2011 Pan American Games.

“As I’ve already qualified for the Olympic Games, I can work and train without the pressure. I want to get the best result any Brazilian athlete could have obtained in an Olympic triathlon event. For that, I have to be among the top 15,” said Colucci.

Photos: FECHITRI / Trichile.com