Wolfaardt, Steyn have BSG Energade Tri Series titles in their grasp

Erhard Wolfaardt and Andrea Steyn have the 2009 BSG Energade Triathlon Series winner’s trophies firmly in their grasp after winning the fourth stage in this year’s competition at the Germiston Lake on Sunday morning, November 8.

The lanky Potch athlete crossed the line in the senior men’s division in a time of 55:56 to claim victory ahead of Sander Berk second in 56:31 and Hendrik de Villiers third in 56:52.

In the women’s race Pretoria’s Steyn had to overcome a determined onslaught from Bloemfontein’s Kate Roberts to win in 1:03:18. Roberts crossed the line in 1:03:21 with Vicky van der Merwe of Cape Town third in 1:05:45.

By making it four wins out of four starts in this exhilarating seven-event competition the talented Wolfaardt and Steyn have virtually won the senior men and women’s divisions of this competition with three races still to go.

“They don’t have to compete in the next two races in Cape Town or PE, all they need to do is start, not even finish, the seventh and final race in Vanderbijlpark on December 6 to be crowned the series champions for 2009,” says race organizer, Corné Grobler, after a change to the race rules this year.

“Previously an athlete’s top three performances plus his or her result in the final race was used to calculate the final point’s standings, with the final race the overriding factor. This format has been altered in 2009 with an athlete’s best four performances (any four races) used to calculate their final position with the proviso that they just compete in the final race. If two or more athletes have the same number of points going into the final event, the athlete with the best placing in the final race will be determined the winner. In Erhard and Andrea case they already have full points with four wins each – no one can do better - so they just have to start the Vanderbijl event,” adds Grobler.

Reigning BSG Energade Triathlon champions Wolfaardt and Steyn have swept all before them in the series since October last year and certainly look unlikely to be beaten during the remainder of the series even if they don’t have to do their best.

With Wolfaardt boasting a 10 race winning streak and Steyn, one better with 11 victories on the trot in the series, doing anything but their best is not an option and both were quick to give assurances after winning at Germiston that they would still be going for victories in the remaining races.

The likes of Berk and Roberts (who have had to play second fiddle to the reigning champs all series) can be certain they will still have to produce something special at Big Bay in Cape Town, Pollock Beach in PE or Noordwes Universiteit Vaal if they want to beat Wolfaardt and Steyn.

The runners-up have repeatedly said that they give everything they’ve got but Wolfaardt and Steyn are just too strong during the final 5km run stage of each race.

“I tried hard on the run today but Andrea just has such a good kick - I can’t respond to it,” said a frustrated Roberts who again had to endure finishing second by a mere three seconds. With the next two events being held at the coast the 600m swim stages will be sea swims and the advantage may just fall to Roberts who is a stronger swimmer than Steyn, but the latter is unlikely to hand her (Roberts) a victory on a plate.

Berk, who feels he has done much better than expected in the series, was under no illusion that he would be taking home a winner’s cheque in the next few races as he praised the reigning champion. “Erhard is just so strong at the moment, you can’t run against him,” said Berk.

There is still plenty at stake for the other athletes in the series however, so there won’t be a shortage of thrills especially with Berk, De Villiers, Chris Felgate and Claude Eksteen competing for the second and third place prize money in the senior men’s section of the series. While Roberts looks assured of taking home the runners-up cheque in the senior women’s category Vicky van der Merwe, Kim Battson, Riana de Lange and Carla Germishuys will be fighting it out for the other top spots.

The tightest contest in the series can be expected in the junior women’s division where it looks like a three-horse-race with Carlyn Fischer, Ashleigh Blackwell and Lauren Dance set to fight it out for the title. Having recorded her second win in the series at Germiston, in a time of (1:05:49) Pretoria student, Fischer might just have the edge over the other girls.

Cape Town’s Blackwell, with one victory, and two second places – she finished in Germiston behind Fischer in 1:06:41, will fancy her chances as the next two races are at sea level. Dance who won the first race of the series at Midmar and has since finished third on three occasions also can’t be discounted.

Despite Abrahm Louw missing the Germiston race he must be the favourite to win the junior men’s division with three victories in the bank. At most needing one more win from three races for full points it will take a major disaster to keep him from winning his second BSG Energade Triathlon junior men’s title.

In his absence on Sunday Wian Sullwald of Warmbaths took top honours finishing in a time of 58:31 followed by Henri Schoeman in 1:00:10 and Ryan Banks third in 1:06:10.

Veterans
In the women’s veteran race in Germiston there were no surprises as perennial winner Sue Peterkin of Pretoria crossed the line first in 1:15:09 which means she has won her fourth race in a row, and like Wolfaardt and Steyn, now only needs to start the final to win the title in her division. Sue was followed home by Lynette Fischer in 1:18:13 and Lee Thompson in 1:20:48.

A legend of the sport, Durban’s Glen Gore won the veteran men’s category in a time of 1:00:21 and looks well on his way to winning the title in this division as it is his third victory in the series so far. Second was Patrick Hofer in 1:01:47 and Piers Pirow third in 1:02:02.

The master men category was won by Charles Naude in 1:09:39 with Reinhardt Manfred hot on his heels in 1:10:52 and Cliff Wallace third in 1:12:32.

The action now moves to Big Bay, Blouberg Strand in Cape Town for race five of the series on Sunday, November 22. Triathlon enthusiasts who plan to enter can do so online at www.bsgenergadetriseries.co.za or at the venue on the day from 6.30am with the race getting underway at 9.30am. Prior to this, starting at 8am, will be the BSG Energade Kids Triathlon Series race for youngsters under the age of 14. To enter the children’s race visit www.kidsseries.co.za or call Corné Grobler on 082 568 0301 for further information.