Top field for Triathlon World Cup leg
14 April 2008
Defending champion Hendrik de Villiers will be up against a strong international field, vying for international points and prize money, when the Richards Bay BG Triathlon World Cup takes place in the City of uMhlathuze, KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday 4 May.
Last year, Potchefstroom-based de Villiers covered the 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run, in one hour 52 min and 53 seconds to win the title in a dramatic sprint finish.
Silver medal winner, Volody Polikarpenko from the Ukraine, is on a mission to go one better this year, and the calibre of the entered athletes is set to make the 2008 edition of the Richards Bay BG Triathlon World Cup the best in its three-year history.
World ranked contenders
The Richards Bay BG Triathlon World Cup is part of a 14-leg world series.
World ranked contenders, such as Canadian Simon Whitfield, Germany's Daniel Unge and Polikarpenko, plus a South African contingent that is set to include De Villiers and Erhard Wolfaardt, will be out to claim a stake of the US$100 000 in prize money.
<>p>Canadian Kirsten Sweetland is also expected to return to the east coast city to defend the women's title, following her triumph in 2:03.32 last year.The Swiss duo of Magalie di Marco Messmer and Nicola Spirig, as well as Luxembourg's Elizabeth May, and local stars Kate Roberts, Anel Stuart and Mari Rabie, are included among the entries.
'New heights'
"Last year's Richards Bay BG Triathlon World Cup took triathlon to new heights in our sports-crazy country, and we look forward to many more role models being formed for the youth of South Africa to look up to," said Triathlon SA President Gideon Sam.
"The calibre of athletes set to participate is indicative of the popularity of the event in international terms and Triathlon SA is proud to host this event on behalf of all South Africans and Africans."
Event organiser Casper Kriel said the positive response to last year's race route has resulted in only a few minor changes at the transition being made for this year’s event.
Race route
He explained: "The swim leg will take place in a saltwater bay over a two-lap course, after which the competitors will change over to the cycling stage to be contested over eight laps, while the area between the Davidson Lane turnoff into Hibberd Drive, past the host hotel, and left into John Ross Parkway provides the speediest section of the cycling route, followed by the run.
"The 10 kilometre run will be held over a very flat and fast route, which creates the potential of a breakaway for the strong-running tri-athletes," added Kriel.
Zakhele Mnqayi, the mayor of the City of uMhlathuze, said an event of the calibre of the Richards Bay BG Triathlon World Cup is the perfect platform for the city to be showcased through sport to the international community.
Benefits for Richards Bay
"The event will bring visitors to our wonderful city which will be of benefit to our economy, from a transport, accommodation, and tourism point of view," said Mnqayi.
"We believe that all South Africans should live a healthy lifestyle and we are proud to host a family-fun event of this nature."
Alderman Stan Larkin , the Mayor of the uThungulu District Municipality, described the hosting of the Richards Bay BG Triathlon World Cup as a major sports scoop for the area.
"The uThungulu District Municipality is in need of the opportunity of staging major international sports events of this nature and we look forward to being a partner in the successful hosting of a world class showpiece sports event," he said.
SAinfo reporter
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