Blog Archives

Xterra SA Championships

2/24/2013

5th

Pre-Race interview

XTERRA GRABOUW.... What more needs to be said? Anyone who has ever had the privilege of competing at this prestigious event will know what I am on about. In my three years of racing here I have yet to step off the course without multiple war stories! The weather is HOT, terrain extremely unforgiving and organizers determined on out-doing their previous year's performance.

Xterra Grabouw is the only race in my calendar year where I don't have the stresses of travel, accommodation, food requirements etc on me because my house is just a 30min drive from the course. Having the opportunity to go out and view the course weeks prior to the event and refresh the memory on just how tough the terrain is out there is a massive advantage and one I take full advantage of. Come race day I know the course backwards and this year specifically I was convinced I was ready to put up a good fight and do my best to sneak onto the podium against such a quality SA field with so much depth. Xterra Grabouw always attracts the best of the best and this year was no different. Stoltz, Hugo, Murray, Marais, Phitzenmaier the list goes on! if you are planning on doing well here you sure as hell better bring your A game.

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Aca Joe Warm Water Weekend

2/9/2013

3rd - Road Triathlon
2nd - Off Road Tri

After a very disappointing DNF at Xterra Buffespoort due to mechanical issues I was back home in the Western Cape very eager to get a solid race in under my belt as a confidence booster going into preparation for Xterra Grabouw and then on to the Philippine Islands for another 3 Xterra races. I competed in the AJWWW in 2011 but unfortunately was unable to attend in 2012 and had a serious case of FOMO following twitter updates during the race. The scenery of this spectacular event is second to none and the amount of passion and effort the organiser and good mate of mine Paul Ingpen puts in ensures that an absolutely incredible weekend is had by all, from toddlers to Pro's it is not easy to satisfy everyone's needs but somehow every year he pulls it off and everyone is very sad having to leave at the end of a magical weekend. So before I get into the racing itself another big Thank You must go out to Paul for all the blood sweat and tear he puts in each year, thanks mate!

2013 saw a new format to the weekend, traditionally there was a long road triathlon on Saturday, well road until you started running at least, followed by a few more chilled out events on Sunday, trail run, MTB "race" etc. But this year we had the opportunity to compete in back to back triathlon races something that I have never had the chance to do. There was the normal long road bike triathlon on the Saturday with a shorter distance race as well for those not brave enough to take on the full and then another off-road triathlon on Sunday again with a shorter option for those who wished to do so. The distances of both these races were as follows, Road Tri (2k swim, 70km TT, 12km trail/beach run) Off Road Tri (2.8k swim, 30km MTB, 10k Trail/beach run).

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Xterra SA Championships

5th

Aca Joe Warm Water Weekend

3rd - Road Triathlon2nd - Off Road Tri

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3rd - Road Triathlon
2nd - Off Road Tri