Sandman to invade coast
LIMBA MUPETAMI
WINDHOEK
It's going to be an epic weekend once again with the FNB Sandman triathlon slated for Sunday at the Swakopmund Mole.
Last year the event had 330 participants, with the number this year expected to increase.
According to the event organiser from OTB Sport, Yvonne Brinkmann, there is a strong field this year. The event has been sponsored by FNB for the last 13 years.
Entries still open
Brinkmann further said that entries are still open for those who want to take part and that they can choose between the Ultra (1.9 km swim followed by 90 km cycle and then a 21.1 km run), Standard (1 km / 40 km / 10 km), Sprint (400 m / 20 km / 3 km) and the Mini distance (150 m / 6 km / 3 km). In the Ultra Elite Men's race, the defending champion Konrad Marais is the favourite. However, Horst Neuman, who is a stellar cyclist, is expected to give Marais some stiff competition.
In the Ultra Veteran Men's category, David Gardner from Zimbabwe is expected to win. A 2020 win in the veterans age category will be a fifth for Gardner. Gardner also has a good chance of being the overall male winner. Local athlete Paul Brinkmann is another strong contender in the veterans category. Paddy Murphy is a favourite for the masters category.
“For the leaders of the Ultra Male event we expect to see times between 4 hours and 50 minutes but much depends on the conditions of the day, and specifically the wind conditions on the 90 km bike route,” said Brinkmann. The Ultra Ladies Elite is expected to be a tight and interesting race between the national triathlon champion, Benita Kasch, and Risa Dreyer. “Kasch has won the event twice in the last few years and is expected to get a good lead on the swim.
“But Dreyer is a phenomenal cyclist and runner and in triathlon the distance and time is in the cycle and run, and this could be to the clear advantage of Dreyer. Adel de la Rey is expected to win the veteran ladies and Marion Himmel the masters,” he said. In the Standard Elite Men, the almost assured victory is Divan du Plooy. He was the winner of last month's RMB Off-road Triathlon, he is the national champion and competes in international ITU races. Herbert Peters is also expected to be a tough contender in this race.
In the Standard Veteran Men's category, the favourite is Andrew Rowles. He should expect strong competition from Mark Spath and Pierre van Rensburg. The latter is an excellent cyclist and runner. The Standard Elite Female category is less clear cut, possible contenders include Bertha Theron, Frances Chase and Ilka Preschel. In the veterans race, contenders include Bronwen Chase and Charmaine Shannon.
In the sprint male distance, 12-year-old Nathan Chase has an excellent chance of winning the overall race. In the Mini event there will be a tight race between Fourie and Ryan Steyn as well as Micah Chase.
OTB Sport thanked African Marketing for their sponsorship over many years, as well as EMA, which assists with medical support.
WINDHOEK
It's going to be an epic weekend once again with the FNB Sandman triathlon slated for Sunday at the Swakopmund Mole.
Last year the event had 330 participants, with the number this year expected to increase.
According to the event organiser from OTB Sport, Yvonne Brinkmann, there is a strong field this year. The event has been sponsored by FNB for the last 13 years.
Entries still open
Brinkmann further said that entries are still open for those who want to take part and that they can choose between the Ultra (1.9 km swim followed by 90 km cycle and then a 21.1 km run), Standard (1 km / 40 km / 10 km), Sprint (400 m / 20 km / 3 km) and the Mini distance (150 m / 6 km / 3 km). In the Ultra Elite Men's race, the defending champion Konrad Marais is the favourite. However, Horst Neuman, who is a stellar cyclist, is expected to give Marais some stiff competition.
In the Ultra Veteran Men's category, David Gardner from Zimbabwe is expected to win. A 2020 win in the veterans age category will be a fifth for Gardner. Gardner also has a good chance of being the overall male winner. Local athlete Paul Brinkmann is another strong contender in the veterans category. Paddy Murphy is a favourite for the masters category.
“For the leaders of the Ultra Male event we expect to see times between 4 hours and 50 minutes but much depends on the conditions of the day, and specifically the wind conditions on the 90 km bike route,” said Brinkmann. The Ultra Ladies Elite is expected to be a tight and interesting race between the national triathlon champion, Benita Kasch, and Risa Dreyer. “Kasch has won the event twice in the last few years and is expected to get a good lead on the swim.
“But Dreyer is a phenomenal cyclist and runner and in triathlon the distance and time is in the cycle and run, and this could be to the clear advantage of Dreyer. Adel de la Rey is expected to win the veteran ladies and Marion Himmel the masters,” he said. In the Standard Elite Men, the almost assured victory is Divan du Plooy. He was the winner of last month's RMB Off-road Triathlon, he is the national champion and competes in international ITU races. Herbert Peters is also expected to be a tough contender in this race.
In the Standard Veteran Men's category, the favourite is Andrew Rowles. He should expect strong competition from Mark Spath and Pierre van Rensburg. The latter is an excellent cyclist and runner. The Standard Elite Female category is less clear cut, possible contenders include Bertha Theron, Frances Chase and Ilka Preschel. In the veterans race, contenders include Bronwen Chase and Charmaine Shannon.
In the sprint male distance, 12-year-old Nathan Chase has an excellent chance of winning the overall race. In the Mini event there will be a tight race between Fourie and Ryan Steyn as well as Micah Chase.
OTB Sport thanked African Marketing for their sponsorship over many years, as well as EMA, which assists with medical support.
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