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Sunday welcomed an epic start to the 2009 Compendium Winter Multi-Series, as a record number of 380 competitors packed the start line, ready to put their hard training into practice. Athletes from all over Durban and surrounding areas converged on Suncoast beach for the first event in the 2009 Triathlon and Duathlon series. Athletes from Cape Town, Gauteng, Newcastle and Richardsbay had also made their way to KZN present ready to try secure their claim on the R10 000 prize money.
Sea conditions had improved overnight, but still posed a healthy challenge for the competitors, with a small swell but a challenging 3 to 4ft beach break was resent ready to test the athletes swimming ability. The Rookie triathlon was first to start with over 60 athletes taking to the challenging surf conditions. The rookie athletes made their way to backline for their short 200m surf swim before they headed out for a flat 5km cycle route and finally taking to the tar to a short 1.25km run.
First home in the rookie triathlon was Tyler O'Conner in a time of 32min 27sec who was being chased down by Luke Browett, who finished only 1second behind Tyler. In the ladies race Megan Thompson had a fantastic race and gave the boys a run for their money only finishing 18seconds behind 2nd placed Luke Browett.
The main Duathlon and Triathlon races kicked off 30min after the rookies took to the water. These longer distance races consisted of a 600m swim, 20km cycle and a 5km, and the Duathlon challenged the athletes with a 5km run followed by a fast and flat 20km cycle and a short 2.5km run to the finish. First out the water was Chris Lionnet and Johnny De Dominicis closely chased by capetonian Gilbert Quevauvillers. These three took to the 20km bike course just ahead of the first lady out of the water Kim Carter.
Donavan Van Gelder made short work of the duathletes 5km run route, finishing in sub 18min, just ahead of Bertus Van Zyl. Donavan Van Gelder who has recently returned to Triathlons after a 5 year absence has a brilliant start to the year, winning KZN triathlon champs and claiming a top place on the Midlands Ultra triathlon. First off the bike was Johnny De Dominicis who lead the triathletes out to blue lagoon for their 5km run. Chris Lionnet chased hard but couldn't match Johnnies pace or make up his lead from the bike. Johnny took the line honours in a time of 1hr 3min and 19seconds. Chris was not far behind finishing in 1hr 4min 27sec, with Capetonian Gilbert Quevauvillers rounding off the top three in the triathlon race.
In the duathlon race, Donavan van Gelder dominated the flat 20km cycle and took off on the last 2.5km run route with a 3min lead on 2nd placed Bertus van Zyl. Van Gelder managed to extend his lead another 13seconds on the run to win the Duathlon and the lion's portion of the prize money. A strong contention from Bertus van Zyl could only claim his 2nd place with Willie de Plooy clinching 3rd place.
In the ladies triathlon race, Kim Carter dominated the race from start to finish, with the battle taking place behind between Jane Brewer and returned triathlete star, Dominique Donner, now Dominique Rodd. Jane Brewer managed to get away on the bike and opened up a 2min gap on chasing Dominique. However Dominique managed to claim back a minute on the run, but could not close the gap further, leaving Brewer to claim second place with Dominique Rodd clinching 3rd place.
The next event takes place on the 12th of July, and already looks set to draw some of South Africa's elite duathletes and triathletes to Durban's Golden Mile. Some of Joburg's top athletes stayed away this weekend due to the long distance Ironman triathlon taking place this coming weekend in Port Elizabeth.
Athletes wishing to find out more information or to enter for the next event can call B-Active Sports on 031-5644062 or go to www.bactive.biz
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