Stoltz and Van Huyssteen defend titles

Conrad Stoltz. – Xterra Buffelspoort

The picturesque Buffelspoort Dam (North West Province) was a hub of excitement on Saturday, 26 January 2013 with 800 multisport warriors toeing the line at the TOTALSPORTS XTERRA Full presented by REHIDRAT® SPORT.  Defending men’s and women’s champions Conrad Stoltz and Carla Van Huyssteen came out with guns a blazing.  Leaving no room for error, they took the lead early in the race and never looked back, crossing the finish line in spectacular times of   02hours 22minutes 52seconds and 02hours 49minutes 56seconds respectively.   

According to Stoltz, the level of racing in South Africa has definitely gone up.  “I knew there would be serious competition on the day with Stuart Marais, Dan Hugo, Bradley Weiss and Theo Blignaut.  Unfortunately Theo had to withdraw due to illness.  I heard that Pieter van der Mescht is a good swimmer, so I decided to stick to him on the swim and managed to make a comfortable transition onto the mountain bike discipline.  I passed Dan on the first dirt road and managed to make up time.  I expected Stuart Marais and Bradley Weiss to run hard.  Being injury free I was able to put in some run training for the first time in three years.  I’d say there’s definitely one hill too many on this route, with awesome kloofing sections, cliff climbs and tunnels.  I just love the excitement of XTERRA.  The sport is growing like crazy and it’s really exciting.  I’m really proud to have won my 50th XTERRA title today, especially because it was at a local XTERRA”, says Stoltz.  Dan Hugo came in second, while Stuart Marais finished third.

Van Huyssteen was ecstatic with her hat trick win at the Totalsports XTERRA Buffelspoort.  “The combination of the heat and altitude definitely added to the toughness of today’s XTERRA.  Coming out of the water my legs felt a little tired, but I just had to keep on.  On the mountain bike discipline I found myself riding with a strong group of guys, so I knew that I was in the mix, even though everything felt so slow.  I knew the run would be tough and I really didn’t want to walk, but I had to on some of the hills.  I just loved having my family here.  You miss that when you race overseas.  Today’s event was definitely good exercise for XTERRA Grabouw”, says Van Huyssteen.  Susan Sloan came in second, while Sylvia Van Tromp finished third.

In the team category Team “Lebone College” was the first men’s team to cross the finish line on the day.  Team “Just for Fun” was the first female team home, while Team “Impala RCD” was the first mixed team home on the day.

For the first time since its inception the TOTALSPORTS XTERRA Buffelspoort presented by REHIDRAT® SPORT has been split over two days with the TOTALSPORTS XTERRA Full taking place on the Saturday, 26 January 2013 followed by the TOTALSPORTS XTERRA Lite on the Sunday, 27 January 2013.

Photo Credit ~ Cherie Vale / Newsport Media

EVENT INFORMATION:

TOTALSPORTS XTERRA Full Buffelspoort presented by REHIDRAT® SPORT
Date:                               Saturday, 26 January 2013
Venue:                           Buffelspoort Dam, North West Province
Event Format:             1.5km swim, 26.5km mountain bike and 12km trail run
Start:                               08:30

TOTALSPORTS XTERRA Lite Buffelspoort presented by REHIDRAT® SPORT
Date:                               Sunday, 27 January 2013
Venue:                          Buffelspoort Dam, North West Province
Event Format:             400m swim, 17km mountain bike and 6km trail run
Start:                               09:00

Family and friends are encouraged to come support their favourite XTERRA Lite Warrior on Sunday!

RESULTS