Duel Ultra Triathlon – Results

Raynard Tissink, SA’s leading contender for the Ironman South Africa title this year, was in superb form and came in to win the Duel Ultra Triathlon at Midmar last weekend in seemingly effortless fashion.  Completing the 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21km run in an impressive time of four hours, Tissink literally set out on a victory lap after breaking the tape – all in the name of training for the marathon run of Ironman distance.

Not discounting the chase for second in which the highly regarded David Hyam ran home ahead of Storm brothers Brad in third and Carl in fourth, while James Cunnama placed fifth amongst an elite crop. A rare one for the record books was the youngest of the three Storm brothers, Anton (22) placing ninth overall.

In the women’s race, competition was fierce with Cathryn Cronje taking the overall honours after a good start in the swim, and continuing with solid performances both on the bike and run to take the victory just over three minutes ahead of veteran Claudia Feige. A ding-dong battle ensued for third
place with Carla Germishuys finding the legs to pass Robyn Adendorff in the final stages of the run. Melanie van Rooyen concluded the top five women home.

Pietermaritzburg multisporters Jean-Paul van der Linde and Landy Taylor were convincing winners of the respective men’s and women’s titles in the Canoe Ultra Tri, in which a 7.5km paddling leg substituted for the swim. Van der Linde took the lead from early race leader Sakkie Meyer during the cycle leg, with Meyer eventually settling for second ahead of Deon Braun.

For the rest of the field of over five hundred athletes, the mid-summer heat as the day progressed did little to ease the challenge of conquering the testing half-ironman event. By the 3pm cut-off most of the athletes werehome, giving aspiring Ironman contenders a taste of what lies ahead come the 18th March. The Duel Ultra Triathlon made a huge impact in its first year and is sure to become an annual highlight on the triathlon calendar.

Swim Triathlon

Elite Men:
Raynard Tissink 4h00.01
David Hyam 4h12.17
Brad Storm 4h15.15
Carl Storm 4h16.12
James Cunnama 4h17.11

Elite Women:
Cathryn Cronje 4h52.40
Claudia Feige 4h56.19
Carla Germishuys 5h02.25
Robyn Adendorff 5h05.20
Melanie van Rooyen 5h09.47

Canoe Triathlon

Men overall:
JP van der Linde 4h52.36
Sakkie Meyer 5h08.24
Deon Braun 5h17.41

Women overall:
Landy Taylor 5h56.00
Karin Strachan 6h30.25
Judith Grove 7h21.48

Wildlands “Dream Team” Raise Funds and come out On Top at the Duel

The Wildlands “Dream Team” completed the Duel Ultra Corporate Challenge at Midmar on Sunday in a quest to “walk the talk”, and to get a small taste of what participating in a Wild Series event is all about.  Coming first through the finish line was a tad out of reach so the team focused on doing what Wildlands does best… fundraising.

The Duel Ultra Corporate Challenge consisted of 3 half-distance legs, relay style, with each team member competing in a different leg.  Facing the challenge for the Trust was CEO Andrew Venter, who tackled the 1k swim, friend of the Trust Mike Farley rode out the tough 45k cycle and finishing off with the 10k run was Communications Officer, Simone Dale.

All corporate teams were required to raise a minimum sponsorship of R600 for the Trust.  The Wildlands Dream Team managed to do this and much more, thanks to our loyal supporters.  A big thank-you to Toyota SA, Deloitte & Touche, Grindrod Bank, BDO Spencer Steward (PMB), Mike & Pippa Hankinson & Ewing Trust Company for raising an incredible R10, 500 for the Trust.  Thanks also to all the other Corporate Teams that participated, for their generous sponsorships.

Countdown to the Midmar Duel Ultra Triathlon 2007

With the start of the Duel Ultra Triathlon only days away, triathletes from all over the country will be heading up to Midmar Dam in the beautiful Natal Midlands to participate in this exciting new event on the triathlon calendar.  Midmar Dam, situated between Pietermaritzburg and Howick, is an ideal sporting venue with its large expanse of water and picturesque, tranquil surrounds.

Sunday 28th January will be the first in a full calendar of sporting events to be launched by the Trust in February.  Through these events the Trust aims to provide unique and challenging sporting experiences and with this platform, raise funds for conservation & development projects around the province.   The Trust also aims to promote the remarkable natural heritage and wonderful eco-tourism ventures KZN has to offer.

The Duel Ultra, essentially birthed to prepare Iron Man die-hards and first-timers for a full Iron Man, will be held over Half Iron Man distances including a fresh 1,9km Dam Swim, a lung-stretching 90km Cycle through undulating Meander hills, and a fast 21km run along Midmar’s hazy shores. A unique and once long forgotten aspect of the KZN Triathlon will be revived with the addition of a 7,5km canoeing leg for those not too keen on taking on Midmar in a Speedo and wetsuit.

There is also an option for the not-so-ultra-fit; a corporate team challenge for three members who will have the opportunity to experience a long distance triathlon by participating in an event over half the distances of the main event. These teams will cover a 1km Swim, 45km Cycle and 10km Run.  The Trust has entered a Team in the Corporate Challenge and will be battling it out with other teams not so much to be first at the finish line, but to bring in the highest sponsorship.

The event has had a fantastic response from entrants with a field of over 600 athletes lining up for the start on Sunday, all of which will receive an exceptional value-for-money goodie bag packed with great goodies from our sponsors, including products from the events title sponsor Duel Shaving Products.

Top athletes such as Glen Gore, Raynard Tissink and Carl Storm have all confirmed their participation, so a mammoth battle for line honours is expected. Some exciting teams made up of high calibre athletes such as Jenna Worlock and Dominique Donner will ensure that the teams are mixing it up with the individual athletes. Top canoe tri-athlete Sakkie Meyer and Landy Taylor will be heading up the canoe field. Doubling as the SA Long Course Triathlon Champs,  elite athletes and age groupers can anticipate racing for a race purse that amounts to R30 000, 00.

“Our goal and vision has been to motivate couch potato’s and seasoned athletes alike, to take part in a unique, challenging and ultimately rewarding experience. The field speaks for itself and we are extremely pleased with the entries for the event”, say the race organisers; “Good luck to all entrants!”

Contact 083 6475 372 or visit <a href=”http://www.duelultratri.co.za/”>www.duelultratri.co.za</a>  for more information on the Duel Ultra and watch this space or click on the Events Page for information on up-coming events hosted by the Trust.