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Ellina Mhlanga in Nyanga
THE stage is set for 2023 Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup Troutbeck with 51 elite and junior athletes expected to compete today.
The event takes place at the Troutbeck Resort here in Nyanga. With a bigger field in the elite men and women, there are high expectations at the event today.
In the elite men, last year’s bronze medallist Dylan Nortje from South Africa, said he is hoping to defend his position. “Last year I finished third, so I would like that position back. “This is my fifth year racing here, so the course feels like home now. It’s nice and hard, and it’s proper African racing, so I am excited to give it a go,” said Nortje.
Austria’s Martin Demuth, who came fifth in the last edition, is targeting an improvement this year.
“I was fifth last year, I am racing with number three, so the goal is for sure to beat the number. But it’s going to be tough, a lot of good guys are here.
“But it depends how the race develops, if like you are going to have a break away after the swim or not, if it’s going to be a big bunch… But we are going to try to make it a hard race and a fast race,” said Demuth. In the women’s section, last year’s runner-up, Shanae Williams from South Africa is back and is optimistic about the race.
“I am really excited to be back here in Troutbeck. I mean this course is pretty hard and it’s still the beginning of the season and I am excited to see where I am at off a race that I just come back from New Zealand last week. So, I am very excited to be back here and racing tomorrow (today).
“So, this year it’s a very tough field compared to last year, there weren’t many athletes. So, it’s going to be a really hard day out tomorrow and especially with all the hills on the bike and the run.
“It’s going to be very difficult but I am very excited to see where I am at on this challenging course,” Williams said. Williams is likely to face some tough competition from the likes of Barbara De Koning from Netherlands, who has so far won three races in Africa. She won two races in South Africa and one in Namibia before coming here.
“It’s a different course, it’s a tough course with hills… So I am excited to race, hopefully finish off well this race but we will see. I am excited to go out there and do my best.
“I haven’t been here before but I really like it, it’s definitely a different course to the other ones I have done,.
Zimbabwe are not represented in the elite men and women but they are looking forward to the Africa Junior Cup with Duwan Botha and Mandlenkosi Mthethwa competing in the junior men.
They are both looking forward to qualifying for the Africa Championships to be held later in the year.
Mthethwa is aware of the tough competition ahead against South Africa’s Kyle Erskine, who recently won gold in Namibia, and last year’s winner Shaun Wolfaardt.
“I wouldn’t lie the nerves are there because you have people like Shaun and Kyle. These guys really push on their bikes and the swim they come like in first groups
“So to get a qualifying time that would be pretty good and anything apart from that would be a bonus,” said Mthethwa.
Matipa Mawere withdrew on medical ground.
Anja Van As, Makanaka Mawere, Nicole Madya and Inkosinomusa Mthethwa are up for competition in the junior women.
Madya is targeting a personal best.
“I am quite nervous. I am racing with quite fast and experienced people. Honestly, I am just trying to get a personal best and do the best that I can. But I would be happy with a podium position,” said Madya.
Van As has also had a promising start in the junior section so far and is looking forward to the race.
Besides the elite race and the junior’s event, Triathlon Zimbabwe have brought in a multi-sport element with several other activities taking place today.
There is a variety of supporting events lined up that include duathlon, aquabike, off-road triathlon standard and sprint, aquathlon and open water swim – 5000m, 3000m, 1500m, 750m, and a 4x500m relay and the national championships as well.
Online Reporter