#warrior1 2014

DOWnRIGHt BILLBOARD dirty

SUB HEADING

“Pull, quote”

AND OBSTACLE OBSESSED

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Helping hand

Grouoers

The Warrior Race is all about overcoming adversity and nowhere is this more evident than in the Mud Monster where random strangers lend each other a helping hand.

The shot: There were events for all categories from age grouoers to kiddies. Here Rossouw Bekker in the junior male, 12-15 year old category exits the swim. Bekker finished 3rd behind William Kruger and category winner Henry Le Roux.

The spec: 1/500s @ f 5.6 ISO 320 no flash Nikon D610 Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 zoom lens

More info: www.dryland.co.za

Obstacle Race

Story and Photos: Zoon Cronje

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he Jeep Warrior Race kicked off the new year and their new partnership in spectacular style. The new venue Heia Safari Ranch added a uniquely African touch to the immensely popular obstacle racing series offering some spectacular scenery and close encounters with wildlife in addition to the normal hard hitting action associated with obstacle racing on this scale.

zooncronje.com / NIKON

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A pensive moment

The surprise winner of Jeep #Warrior1 Jay Jay Deysel takes a moment to gather himself on the final obstacle standing between him and the win. The youngster succeeded where the early leader Claude Eksteen failed and in an impressive show of power and determination went on to take the win.

The Spec: 1/200s @ f13 ISO 100 flash and remote flash Nikon D610 Nikkor 14-24mm f2.8 SB910 flashes

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stablished as South Africa’s largest obstacle racing series the Jeep Warrior Race set a new benchmark with the over 7000 warriors that took part in the very first event of 2014.

What makes this recipe of mud and larger than life obstacles so successful in this case is the constant innovation by the organisation team behind the event. Each event has new challenges and with that the obstacles only grow bigger and better.

zooncronje.com / NIKON

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Getting down and dirty

The Danger Swamp as it’s known is essentially a pool of mud and water with barbed wire spanning over it forcing athletes to crawl under it. This is the first taste of dirt the athletes get as it is usually the very first obstacle they encounter.

The Spec: 1/200s @ f8 ISO 100 flashes fired Nikon D610 Nikkor 14-24mm f2.8 two SB910 flashes

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zooncronje.com / NIKON

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hat made this event stand out as a runaway success is not only the capacity participation but the attention to detail making the entire course enjoyable. The fact that 40% of the field is women did not go unnoticed by the organizers and certain of the obstacles saw the addition of women specific channels to cater for shorter reach for instance.

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Rearing to go

Nervous moments for most but with the motivational words from Ricardo Gressel fondly known as Warrior Ric, athletes turn that nervous energy into inspiration.

The spec: 1/320s @f9 Nikon D610 Nikkor 70200mm f2.8 zoom lens Lightroom levels

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istening to the crowds it was the infamous Mud Monster and the Tower of Rage that stood out for most. The Mud Monster is a 100m stretch of mud riddled with 3m humps and 3m dips athletes have to navigate and the Tower of Rage is a 6.3m platform athletes need to jump off into a pool of water. Obstacle Racing is rather new to South Africans and a lot of lessons had to be learnt the hard way but with comments from athletes like “It was the best Jeep Warrior yet, and I somehow say that after each one I do” and “This was my first Jeep Warrior and I’m absolutely hooked, I won’t miss another one!” shows they are learning from their mistakes and making the changes as they go.

zooncronje.com / NIKON

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Hitting the wall

Keeping your grip is crucial, ropes and shoes are wet and even keeping your hands on the rope is a challenge, but that what Jeep Warrior is all about - overcoming adversity.

The Spec: 1/200s @ f8 flash and remote fired Nikon D610 Nikkor 14-24mm with two SB910 flashes

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Jump around

The sun right behind the athlete’s head made for some spectacular natural backlighting in this shot The Spec: DPS 1/200s @ f18 flash and remote fired Nikon D610 Nikkor 14-24mm two SB910 flashes Lightroom vignette

zooncronje.com / NIKON

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Jeep with 速

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zooncronje.com / NIKON

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Hanging around

The Jeep Warrior Race doesn’t only cater for the hardcore fitness fanatics and is a sport enjoyed by many and of late more and more corporates have started entering teams as a team building exercise.

The Shot: 1/250s @f8 no flash Nikon D610 Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 zoom lens

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he Jeep Warrior Race has certainly struck a chord with the outdoor minded and that sense of accomplishment mixed with team building fun it can only go from strength to strength over the events to come in 2014.

Find more info on www.warrior.co.za

zooncronje.com / NIKON

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Smile and wave

There’s nothing like a bit of surprise to get a perfect spontaneous smile.

The Spec: 1/200s @ f18 flash and remote fired Nikon D610 Nikkor 14-24mm f2.8 two SB910 flashes

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Fear face off

Many rate this as their best and worst experience. The 6.3m Tower of Rage is one of the biggest mental obstacles athletes face during the Jeep Warrior Races.

The Spec: 1/320s @ f9 Nikon D610 Nikkor 14-24mm lens no flash

zooncronje.com / NIKON

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It’s a sign

The Jeep Warrior Race spares no expense in venue layout to avoid congestion,improve medical ease of access and top spectator value. The courses are carefully mapped and obstacle position is also considered during planning especially with three distances for each event.

The Spec: 1/200s @ f13 Flash fired Nikon D610 Nikkor 14-24mm lens SB910 flash

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Muddy smiles

The enjoyment factor of getting dirty and carefree as a child is evident everywhere The Spec: 1/500s @ f5.6 no flash Nikon D610 Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 zoom lens Lightroom levels

zooncronje.com / NIKON

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Dirty date

Seeing how many couples test and build their relationships at events like this is incredible. In a bold move Black Ops winner Jay Jay Deysel asked his friend to be his girlfriend at the prize giving, naturally she said yes of course.

The spec: 1/500s @ f5.6 no flash Nikon D610 Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 zoom lens

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zooncronje.com / NIKON

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In flight entertainment

Pointing a camera at some of the participants brings out the fun factor every now and again.

Here Carel van Heerden gets some air before splashdown in Mudmonster The spec: 1/800s @ f7.1 no flash Nikon D610 Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 zoom lens Lightroom levels

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A touch of Africa Heia Safari Ranch played host to the first Jeep Warrior Race and athletes were absolutely spoilt with scenery and close encounters with the local wildlife.

The spec: 1/1000s @ f8 no flash Nikon D610 Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 zoom lens Lightroom levels

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zooncronje.com / NIKON

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Elation and celebration

Nobody saw Jay Jay Deysel coming but this Motocross and cross fit enthusiast overtook past winner and pre race favourite on the second last major obstacle of the 17km Black Ops Course. The youngster really had a good day, apart from walking away with the win and R10 000 he got the girl as well.

The spec: 1/200s @ f9 flash and remote fired Nikon D610 Nikkor 14-24mm f2.8 two SB910 flashes

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Top step From left to right: Debbie Agenbag (Warrior Race director), Ricardo Gressel aka Warrior Ric (the voice of Warrior), Carla van Huyssteen (women’s winner), Jay Jay Deysel (men’s winner), Max Cluer (MC) and Pieter Swart (Warrior Race Managing Director) The Spec: 1/200s @ f10 flash and remote fired Nikon D610 Nikkor 14-24mm f2.8 lens two SB910 flashes Lightroom vignette

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