Gold on the horizon
Port Elizabeth’s Mandi Maritz is craving the gold medal in her speciality beach flags event at the Interclub World Championships in Australia this weekend.
Coming off the back of a silver-medal performance in her beach sprints event a week ago, Maritz will be looking to brush off the cobwebs and get her body ready for Saturday and Sunday’s events where she will again be doing her signature beach flag and sprint.
On last Saturday’s performance, she said: “I’m happy with that second place. It was a close race, New Zealand took the win, crossing the line just ahead of me.
“I was actually a bit surprised to finish second as the lineup was very tough.
“I also had a good lane for the race close to my competition because even though I focus on my own race, I like to see what my competitors are doing as well.” She also took part in the beach flag event where she finished a “disappointing” fourth.
“I am quite disappointed with that result.
“I made a few bad decisions which cost me a podium spot, but I have learnt and I know competitors from Australia and New Zealand will be gunning for me again this weekend, so I will need to be on top of my game.”
Maritz said she had used the week to rest up a bit ahead of what are expected to be some more tough battles in the sand over the weekend.
“I’m excited for the weekend’s event,” she said.
“I want to do better, especially in flags, get my revenge.
“I am craving the gold medal for that sprint event, so I am hoping to do well, if my body allows it.
“My body is quite sore, so I am recovering this week in order to get it back to where I need it to be.”
Maritz said the weather in Australia had wreaked havoc with part of the competition venue, with the beach sprint track taking a particular beating, but she added that she was a lot more familiar with it, and would be hoping for a better race second time round.
“So with my sprints on Saturday and flags race on Sunday, I would definitely be hoping to gain at least a podium in both.
“I am doing everything to make sure my mind and body are ready for some tough races.”