Let’s all run, swim and bike to Grabouw

LEADING triathletes from across the globe descend on Grabouw today to compete in the South African Championships, one of the most sought-after titles on the world off-road circuit.

While high- profile events such as the Cape Epic and the Two Oceans Marathon have long attracted the world’s best, the SA Championships has steadily gained credibility and this morning’s event, comprising a 1.5km dam swim, a 40km mountain bike cycle and a 10km trail run, boasts a topquality field.

South Africa’s Stuart Marais and Bermuda’s Flora Duffy will have to be at the best if they hope to defend their titles.

Swiss Jan Pyott is a strong title-contender, having won his country’s championship last year and has also taken podium places at the Czech and Swedish events, while 23-year- old New Zealander Aiden Dunster is fast emerging as a star of the future, having placed fifth at the World ITU Cross Triathlon Championships in Italy in September.

Niels Brandt-Jorgenson of Norway, Italy’s Simone Calamai and Dominik Wychera of Austria are other international contenders, but it could be Marais’ fellow Stellenbosch triathlete Bradley Weiss, who could emerge as his biggest threat.

Weiss, who won last year’s ITU Under-23 Cross Triathlon title, is in a rich vein of form having taken line honours at the two early-season championships at Buffelspoort and Nelson Mandela, the latter in a convincing two-minute victory over Marais.

But Marais, brother to leading trail athlete Kerry- Ann Marshall, will be on his favourite course, which he has previously excelled and will be hard to beat.

“I absolutely love Grabouw,” Marais said. “The event is without a doubt a massive highlight for me. I will definitely be going for the win.”

Theo Blignaut, Antoine van Heerden and James Cunnama are other South Africans who will push hard for a topfive finish.

A long way from her Caribbean home, Bermudan Duffy is looking forward to her return to Cape competition today. “Grabouw is my favourite on the circuit. The course is incredible, the mountain bike discipline offers everything – climbing, twisting single track, rock gardens and beautiful views.

“The run is also really cool – it’s quite breath-taking. My goal is to secure my third Grabouw victory.”

Duffy will not have matters her own way, though, with several athletes capable of taking gold.

Salzburg-based sports science student Sandra Kolbmueller, 25, proved her mettle by outracing Megan Mackenzie to win the 32km Silvermine Mountain Challenge last weekend, and won her country’s 25km trail championship last year.

While running is her strength, the Austrian’s talents in the swim and on the bike make her a formidable competitor, and she will be keen to chalk up her second title in as many weeks in the Cape.

Carla van Huyssteen, who won at Nelson Mandela two weeks ago, is one of South Africa’s strongest off- road triathletes, while Gauteng trail star Nicolette Griffioen, who beat Van Huyssteen at Buffelspoort, is always a tough competitor in challenging distance events.

Andrea Steyn and Susan Sloan are also capable of racing at the front of the pack on their day, while the extraordinary British actress, stuntwoman and triathlete Daz Parker is certain to attract interest.