Search
shop

Sara Perez Sala ready for tough title defence at The Championship

Spaniard Sara Perez Sala is ready to defend her title at The Championship in Slovakia this weekend, but knows it will be a tough challenge.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Defending champion Sara Perez Sala is ready for a tough test at The Championship this weekend, as the Spaniard looks to repeat a similar performance to the one which saw her clinch the title in 2022.

With water temperatures threatening to cancel the swim or at the very least significantly shorten it, Sala is one of the athletes who stands to lose out in this scenario, but the PTO World #20 is sticking to focusing on what she can control.

In a pre-race interview, Sala shared her thoughts on the race this weekend, the strength in depth in the women’s field and why she keeps coming back to the Challenge events.

“I don’t know what to expect this weekend”

Despite being in good spirits ahead of Sunday’s race, Sala revealed that it hasn’t all been smooth sailing since the PTO European Open in Ibiza, with some lingering fatigue following her to Slovakia.

Sara Perez Sala The Championship 2022
Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade

“I am feeling very good and very happy, but over the last few weeks since Ibiza, recovery has been slow and I’ve been feeling really tired, so I don’t know what to expect this weekend.”

The Spaniard added that she expects the racing at The Championship to be hard from the gun and having raced here before, knows that each discipline presents its own challenge.

“This race is a hard race because the weather conditions are hard, it is very windy here, the water is always cold and this year especially it’s extra cold.

“The swim is okay, the bike is very fast and hard and then the run is completely different from other races because you are on a number of different terrains which makes it tough.”

UK girls significant threats

Discussing the world-class field assembled in Samorin, Sala highlighted the British women on the start list, including rising star Lucy Byram, as the athletes to watch out for.

“The women’s field is very strong, especially from the UK. Lucy [Byram] is a young girl, she is a very good triathlete, and maybe the proposed duathlon with no swimming will be better for her. Fenella [Langridge] is also always dangerous and some of the other girls are very good runners.

“I think this situation [a shortened swim], for some of the stronger swimmers like Fenella, India Lee and me, might be worse, so we will just have to work very hard on the bike to get a gap for the run course.” 

Staying relaxed the key

With all things considered, it would be understandable if Sala felt the odds were stacked against her this weekend, but the Spaniard remains resilient and is adamant that she will only worry about the factors within her control.

“My plan is to just stay relaxed and focused. I will only worry about what I can control and not worry about the things that are out of my control.”

Having also finished second here in 2021, Sala shared that the atmosphere and support that Challenge provides for the athletes is the reason she keeps coming back every year.

“For Challenge, the athletes are very important and I feel very good about that. I feel like with them I am important, and I am a star in the sport, so it is easy to race with them and it is also fun.” 

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
Ruth Astle finishing IRONMAN Vitoria 2024
PremiumHow to cope with a DNF: Elite athletes share their stories
PremiumIs your evening workout routine wrecking your recovery? Expert physiologist on how to improve recovery and what NOT to do
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
03/07/2025 - Tour de France 2025 - Grand départ Jour 2 - Lille - Présentation des équipes -Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike)
PremiumWhat triathletes can learn from the Tour de France pro peloton
latest News
Georgia Taylor Brown wins supertri Chicago 2024 photo credit supertri
Georgia Taylor-Brown on enjoying her busy “year off” and wanting “to go out on a bit of a high”
challenge roth race ranger
Challenge Roth publish RaceRanger anti-drafting data from both pro races in a first for triathlon
Sam Laidlow celebrates Challenge Roth win 2025
IRONMAN Leeds 2025: Date, start time and how to follow live
Anne Haug wins Challenge Roth 2024 [Photo credit: Simon Fischer | Challenge Roth]
Triathlon legend and current world record holder Anne Haug announces her retirement
Lovseth Perterer Sanchez IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
Rising Norwegian star underlines Kona claims and says that’s now the big goal
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...