Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
AFTER a successful outing last weekend at the Troutbeck event in Nyanga, Zander Botha will be hoping to carry on the momentum when he steps out to compete at the Africa Triathlon Junior Cup Swakopmund today in Namibia.
He is one of three Zimbabwean athletes that will be on course today.
Botha will be joined by Matthew Hildebrand in the Junior Cup, men’s category.
Zimbabwe’s leading triathlete Andie Kuipers will take part in the Africa Triathlon Premium Cup, in the elite women.
Kuipers, who withdrew from last week’s event at Troutbeck, says she is ready to give her best.
“After last weekend I am just looking to get the most out of myself in the race tomorrow.
“I have prepared well and I am ready to just give my best. My aim is to get points toward my World ranking, and that’s what I am going for tomorrow,” said Kuipers.
Fresh from another Junior Cup held last Saturday at the Troutbeck Resort where he clinched the title, he is up against a bigger field this time around with 14 participants expected on the starting line.
Speaking after his previous race, Botha said he is going for time at the Swakopmund event.
“I hope to do really well there. Unfortunately, for that one, I will be aiming for a time as opposed to a place,” said Botha.
At Troutbeck he posted a time of time of 1 hour 9 minutes 31 seconds.
Botha, who is in his first season as a junior said it has been an interesting new challenge having competed at events such as the South Africa Youth Championships and posting some impressive performances.
“I have enjoyed being a junior a lot more than I used to as a youth because it is a lot more dedication needed and I am really enjoying it.
“But for youth it was very fun going internationally and competing against those athletes. Because it gives you a drive to get better, to go forward and to race against those athletes and give them a run for their money.
“Now in junior (category), I am back at the bottom of the age group, so now it is giving me another drive to get as good as I can against these athletes that are much better,” said Botha.
Hildebrand placed fifth at the Troutbeck event in 1 hour 18 minutes 21 seconds, and will be out for an improved show in Namibia.
Meanwhile the curtain comes down on local competitions with Triathlon Zimbabwe holding their final event and prize giving tomorrow at Mt Pleasant Pool.
This comes after the national championships, held alongside the Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup and Multi-Sport Festival last weekend.
They also concluded the Schools Series early this month.
As they wrap up local competitions, national coach Pamela Fulton said it has been a busy season.
“This season has been another busy one with many local events catering for all athletes including our selection athletes as well as our development initiative within the junior schools.
“It’s been a busy period for our youth and juniors with tours to SA Championships, Africa Championships as well as YOG (Youth Olympic Games) development camps and races.
“Our Corporate Challenge is also finally starting to grow as we see companies seeing the benefits of assisting their employees to stay fit and healthy.
“Our season is finishing on an extreme high after another exceptional Troutbeck event whereby our organising team worked well together despite the tough conditions on race day,” said Fulton.
For the athletes that made the team for the South Africa Junior Championships, tomorrow’s fun races will give them a platform to fine tune their preparations ahead of the tour next week.
