Schafer shakes up Compendium Winter Triathlon

September 1, 2009 13:59
Brian
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Berg USA U20 Collegiate Champion, Cameron Schafer rattled more than a few nerves when he won the 3rd leg of the Compendium Winter Multi-sport Triathlon in a time of 1hr 55,57sec at Suncoast Casino yesterday. Top SA Duathlete, Bryce Viegas made short work of the Olympic Duathlon event, claiming the well deserved first place duathlon spot ahead of a small but star studded duathlon field.

290 eager competitors took to their starting lines for the first Olympic distance event in the 2009 Compendium Winter Multi-Series. With less than ideal sea conditions, the Rookie athletes headed out for a tough but short 200m surf swim in the warm but rough sea. Tyler O’Conner managed to stay in front of the rookie pack and claimed his second win in the 2009 Series ahead of Jayde Perrins and Aaron Biggar. Shelly Oosthusien managed to sneak ahead and win the ladies rookie race, after ladies leader Bridget young missed the rookie’s turn point. Young managed to hold on to second place, while Jade Hattingh claimed a well deserved 3rd place.

In the ladies Triathlon event, JHB triathlete Corrine Berg managed a good swim in the rough conditions, but had to work hard to catch the strong swimming Kim Carter. Corrine managed to pull back some time on the bike and the run and claimed a great finish in a time of 2hr 15, 47sec Kim Carter who has been suffering from back pains managed to hold on to 2nd place, with 3rd going to a fast chasing Riana de Langa.

In the men’s race, Jeff Norton exited the tough 1.5km water first with Olympic swimmer Joe Shoemann close behind. They were chased by a large pack containing Glen Gore, Lawrence van Lingen, Richard Murry, Carl Storm, and Cameron Schafer. Once on the bike, the pack stayed close at hand, trying to hold on to each other, while obeying the non-drafting rules. Over the fast and flat 8 lap bike course, the athletes managed to reach speeds of over 47km per/hr, while making the most of the road closures by the Durban metro police. After 8 laps of the bike course, the non-drafting pack was now about 8 strong, and it was clear that the run leg was going to be the decider for the winners.

Cameron Schafer, who has been living in the US while studying sports science for the past few years managed to get himself into the lead over the first 3 km, but was being chased hard by the strong running of Carl Storm and World Duathlon Champion Richard Murry. However once onto the 2nd lap of the run, it was evident that Schafer was in peak form and was able to hold off the chasing athletes to win the Olympic Compendium Winter, claiming his lion’s portion of the R22 500 prize money.

A big thanks must be made to the Durban metro Police and the KZNTA officials for the road closure and keeping the athletes safe while out on the course. The next and final event in the 2009 Compendium Series takes place on the 27th September and boasts a prize purse of R45 000. Competitors wishing to enter the final event in the series, can enter on the b-Active Website or collect an entry forms from their nearest Sporting shop.

Damian Bradley, B-Active Sports.