WP Triathlon Championships
“Checking the line-up
at the start, it was clear
that this was going to be a
quality race�
01
Grouoers 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.
Triathlon
Story and Photos: Chris Hitchcock
I
f those who entered the Western Province Triathlon Champs on Sunday the 19th of January thought that a 6:30 am race start was a tad early, then they were no doubt very glad of it when the temperatures bounced into the thirties by midday.
Photo: Chris Hitchcock
2
XTREMEDIA
WesternProvinceTriathlonChamps
With weather that played according to the script,
Raw Events, and the indefatigable Tony Bradford
and no wind to speak of, the cherry on top was
pulling the strings, making things happen, and just
the venue. The Val De Vie estate is stunning, with
being everywhere, this event took Triathlon in the
manicured lawns, quality water and friendly folk
Western Cape to a whole new level.
everywhere, the triathlon circus rolled into town for what was going to be an amazing day of racing. With the organisation of the event entrusted to
02 First Out
The Shot: First out of the water after a brilliant swim was Theo Blignaut followed 18 seconds later by Fred Wagenvoorde, then Ryk Neethling who gave the others a fighting chance by swimming backstroke. Stuart Marais was trailing by a massive 2 minutes going into the swim/bike transition and had set himself up for a massive effort if he wanted to take the win.
WesternProvinceTriathlonChamps
XTREMEDIA
3
03 Head Out
The Shot: Top age group athlete Neil Vallance heads out of the water at the end of the first swim loop.
Photo: Chris Hitchcock
4
XTREMEDIA
WesternProvinceTriathlonChamps
http://www.landrover.com/za
04
Loop the Vinyard
The Shot: Onto the bike and it was out on the road towards Paarl, looping through the verdant vineyards, before heading back towards Franschhoek and then the return road to Val De Vie. Stuart Marais was hammering the ride on his mean green Trek tri-bike and was clawing back the minute and a half he had lost to the leaders on the swim, eventually pulling a minute back on Wagenvoorde and 4 and a half minutes on Theo Blignaut to come into T2 second with less than 30 seconds to claw back .
6
XTREMEDIA
WesternProvinceTriathlonChamps
C
hecking the line-up at the start, it was clear that this
was going to be a quality race, despite many top contenders
treating it as part of their taper before Ironman 70.3 in East London a week later.
Photo: Chris Hitchcock
WesternProvinceTriathlonChamps
XTREMEDIA
7
05 Leaving T1
The Shot: Tyron Ingle heads out of T1 onto the bike course.
Photo: Chris Hitchcock
8
XTREMEDIA
WesternProvinceTriathlonChamps
http://www.landrover.com/za
06
Frantic Sprawl The Shot: The run was frantic, with Marais slowly closing on Wagenvoorde, to eventually power into the lead 1 km from the finish with his customary kick, eventually winning by a miserly 20 seconds.
10
XTREMEDIA
WesternProvinceTriathlonChamps
I
n the men’s race, Xterra champ
comeback trail), Marie Rabie and
Stuart Marias, Ironman star Matt Robyn Williams, who although
Trautman and up and coming
concentrating more on off road
local star Frederick Wagenvoorde races these days, was looking to
T
he presence of multiple Olympic gold medallist, and
Val de Vie resident, Ryk Neethling lining up as the swimmer in a fun
were all on the line, along with
pick up the pieces left by those in relay team added some entertain-
a host of other class talent.
front should they have a bad day.
Heading up the women’s field
ment value and must have had a few egos twitching.
was race favourite Di McEwan, Olympian (on the serious
Photo: Chris Hitchcock
WesternProvinceTriathlonChamps
XTREMEDIA
11
07
Fast Sedate
The Shot: The women’s race was a far more sedate affair in comparison, although no less fast at the front, with Marie Rabie clocking the fastest swim time of anyone (male and female)on the day. But it was Di McEwan who was the runaway winner, taking the win by almost 4 minutes from Rabie with Robyn Williams another 1 minute 45 seconds back. Such was McEwan’s domination, that her coach Neil MacPherson was on course calling split times and urging her to slow down in an effort to save herself for Ironman 70.3 where she will be starting as one of the favourites. Photo: Chris Hitchcock
12
XTREMEDIA
WesternProvinceTriathlonChamps
WesternProvinceTriathlonChamps
XTREMEDIA
13
Final Results Men
Ladies
1: Stuart Marais
1: Dianne McEwan
2: Frederick Wagenvoorde
2: Marie Rabie
3: Theo Blignaut
3: Robyn Williams
08
Olympic Legend The Shot: Olympic gold medallist, and Val de Vie resident, Ryk Neethling part of fun relay team exits the water.
14
XTREMEDIA
WesternProvinceTriathlonChamps
Photo: Chris Hitchcock
WesternProvinceTriathlonChamps
XTREMEDIA
15
16
XTREMEDIA
WesternProvinceTriathlonChamps
WesternProvinceTriathlonChamps
XTREMEDIA
17
18
XTREMEDIA
WesternProvinceTriathlonChamps