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www.thevillagenews.co.za
15 January 2020
MY SPORT
Locals triumphant in Trans Agulhas O ver 40 teams took part in the 32nd annual Trans Agulhas Inflatable boat race which was held from 28 December to 1 January. Known as the toughest boat race in the world, this competition covers approximately 700 km by boat, from Plettenberg Bay to Gordon’s Bay over five days, and is a test of both skill and physical endurance. Three locals from the Overberg, JD and Dreyer van Niekerk, and Wiltas Leeuwner participated and – not for the first time – did extremely well in the event. For Wiltas, a past pupil from Hermanus High School who now lives in Langebaan, this was his sixth Trans Agulhas race. He and his pilot, Marc Gleed from Somerset West, competed in the Modified Class as team Rusgenot Transport M1 and completed the 700 km in a total of 11 hours and 31 seconds, earning them the top spot in their class.
The Rusgenot Transport team also took home the Motul King of the Waves title for the Modified Class for winning the surf races which were held at certain beaches along the 700 km route.
King of the Waves is an M-shaped racing circuit in the surf consisting of 6 laps over approximately 1 km that competitors have to navigate, along with braving the waves, winds and fellow competitors to get to the finish arch on the beach. Upon reaching the beach the co-pilot has to leap out the boat and run underneath the arch to stop the race timer and claim their place. “This Trans Agulhas was very challenging,” said Wiltas after recovering from five days of racing. “We didn’t have one calm day – we just had gusting winds all along the coast. We even had to help another racer who was in distress because of the rough conditions.” Wiltas and Marc are
currently first in South Africa in the Modified Class. The father and son team from Caledon, Marshmallow Pop, consisting of Dreyer and JD van Niekerk also did very well in their class, Pro Stock, placing second with a final time of 11 hours, 1 minute and 21 seconds for the 700 km, just behind the winner. They placed first in their class in 2018. Dreyer has 22 years of experience in the Trans Agulhas and JD has been racing with him for the past 5 years. According to the Van Niekerks, they are currently ranked number one in South Africa in their class, thanks to all the points they have built up from racing in 2019. They expressed their thanks to their sponsors Marshmallow Pop and Toyota Bredasdorp for their support. Both teams have been selected to represent South Africa in the UIM P750 Inflatable Powerboat World Championships in their respective classes from 21 – 29 March in Stilbaai. The competition will consist of surf, flat water and long haul racing. We wish Wiltas, Dreyer and JD the best of luck and look forward to hearing their results. – Taylum Meyer
LEFT: JD van Niekerk from Caledon jumps out of the boat to run to the finish line during the surf race in Stilbaai as his dad, Dreyer brings the boat ashore. PHOTO: Taylum Meyer BELOW: Marc Gleed and Wiltas Leeuwner with their inflatable powerboat and protective gear. PHOTO: Heinrich Sauer
The Overberg Chess Team participated in the South African Junior Chess Championships (SAJCC) held in Johannesburg from 3 – 8 January. They entered three teams with 10 players in each and all of them can be extremely proud of their outstanding achievements. The U10 A team won first place and consisted of Connor Opperman,Tayden MacKenzie, Michaely Arendse, Madden Joshua, Sinawo Magida, Anelisa Mbuli, Khazimla Ntontelo, Liso Macamba, Lakeisha Hendricks and Francois Olivier. The U12 A team won third place and was made up of Samantha Brink, Lanique Beukes, Miguel da Silva, Anisa Koko, Russel Byrne, Juan Witbooi, Sintle Roto, Christiaan Muller, Mlibo Mfundisi and Zininzi Livi. The U14 A Team also won first place and comprised Jawon Gabriels, Jordan Fillis, Jared Fillis, Duwayne Thomson, Suewin Jonas, Heinrich Moses, Ayola Dondolo, Malani Hlanzela, Juan Witbooi (Petoors) and Grashwil Amsterdam. Board Prizes were awarded to Connor Opperman, Tayden MacKenzie, Anelisa Mbuli and Francois Olivier (U10), Zininzi Livi (U12) and Jordan Fillis, Jared Fillis, Ayola Dondola, Malani Hlanzela, Heinrich Moses and Suewin Jonas (U14). The Overberg Chess Federation would like to thank its committee, Overberg Sports Council, parents, guardians and head coach Marius van der Westhuizen, team managers and the Overberg community for their contributions and support which made all this possible. Most importantly, thank you to the players for their dedication, commitment and perseverance. You have made the Overberg exceptionally proud! – Overberg Chess Federation
Golf results The new Golf Operations Manager at Hermanus Golf Club, Willem Lindeque, who took over from The Village NEWS’s Putting Pirate, Julian Shaw at the end of last year, congratulates all the winners of the competitions that were played over the festive season. The results were: 14 Dec 2019 – Alliance Stableford East Course Winners: J. Ruddy, H. Schreuder, P. Cawdry & J. Perold 87 pts; South Course Winners: A. Gouws, W. vd Wettering, J. Clifford & J. Clifford 86 pts; North Course Winners: S. Koch, W. Grindrod, P. Sulley & T. Squires 91 pts 21 Dec 2019 – Individual Bogey Plus East Course Winner: J. Reynell +3 c/i; South Course Winner: H. Steyn +6; North Course Winner: T. Behagg +6 28 Dec 2019 – Alliance Stableford East Course Winners: J. Simpson, J. Beckman, P. Richardson & J. Kuhn 87 pts; South Course Winners: C. Basson, J. Cloete, D. King & S. Smit 87 pts c/i; North Course Winners: G. Brown, E. Venter, P. Carinus & J. Senekal 90 pts 4 Jan 2020 – 4 Ball Betterball Stableford East Course Winner: A. Zeederberg & J. Rowse 45 pts c/i; South Course Winner: JJ. De Wet & J. De Wet 46 pts; North Course Winner: A. v Noordwyk & P. Botha 47 pts
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