Happy Birthday Conrad!

Photo: Rich Cruise

Conrad has graced the pro race courses in our sport for almost two decades and is still my hero as a person and as an athlete. He is PASSIONATE and always has time for young and old. He personifies all that is good in sport!

Conrad turns 35 years old on October 23rd and races Xterra World Champs in Maui on the week-end. He is the reigning World Champ and a already legend in this format of the sport.

As Simon Whitfield said in his blog recently: (http://simonwhitfield.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html)

In my 13 years racing on the World Cup Stoltz was simply one of the nicest and most interesting guys you could ever meet.

Happy Birthday Conrad.......may you keep tearing up the trails for many years to come !

Kleinmond - the place I call 'home'

Kleinmond Lagoon
Athlete Tent Village for over night stop on Cape Odyssey

Start area for Cape Odyssey (5 days- 200 km)


Bridge over lagoon to finish area after final 11km run on beach - Day 1

I am back to regular blogging now !

After Beijing, blogging took a back seat while I caught up with life, family and friends.Returning to 'reality' was oh so sweet. Do not get me wrong, being in Beijing was amazing but the lead up to, and the process itself, was a drain on everyone involved.

Now, back on home soil, I am running madly preparing for my first marathon in years and enjoying the time in the hills around Kleinmond.

I have also have included some photos of the Kleinmond stop- over while all 'dressed up' for the Cape Odyssey -5 day Running Adventure (200km run over the mountains). What a beautiful venture and what an exciting race/challenge. I think I have been inspired to race the 2009 version of this great race.

The good news on this side of the world is - Summer is coming fast!!!! Time to enjoy even more of the outdoors again once the ITU year comes to a close.

Two more trips (Brazil and Spain) and then 2 weeks of holiday - in Kleinmond.

African Triathletes in Beijing!

Chris Felgate (ZIM) flagged by RSA's Mari Rabie and Kate Roberts

Race day is around the corner and the athletes from Africa are ready to go! Chris competes on Tuesday 19th while Kate and Mari will be diving into the waters of the Shinsaling Reservoir in Beijing , China at 10:00 on Monday 18th culminating many years of hard work to achieve their dream of becoming an Olympian.

Hats off to these fine young athletes!

Postcards from Beijing!

Mari and Kate at race venue in Beijing

Libby and Andrew (ITU media and TV) at National Stadium
Libby outside Aquatics Centre

Libby at swimming to watch Phelps take another Gold!

Libby, Sean and Daniel in Broadcast Studio

Libby, Mari and Kate at swim session on another rainy day!

Libby with Sports Presentation staff at race site

Rabie and Roberts are Beijing Bound!

Mari Rabie

Kate Roberts

For the first time ever South Africa have selected TWO women for the Olympic Triahtlon Team. Kate Roberts and Mari Rabie will join Hendrik De Villiers in Beijing in August. After a two year qualification period that literally had them circumnavigating the globe, Olympic selection is just reward for their grit and determination. We are all very proud of them and wish them well at the greatest sporting show on earth !

For Kate and Mari the wait is nearly over!

Kate Roberts and Mari Rabie will know in just 5 days if they will be part of the South African Olympic Team to compete in Beijing. Despite the official announcement still pending, they are preparing hard for the Olympic Games both very confident they have both done enough to be on the start line in Beijing.

Kate is doing her final preparation at home in Bloemfontein using the altitude factor (Bloemfontein is 1,800m above sea level) as a key part of her preparation plans.

Mari is currently in Leeds in the UK making use of the excellent running and riding opportunities there in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.

They will spend 10 days in Stellenbosch doing their final sea level preparation before we head off to Beijing on 8th August!

Chris Felgate to line up in Beijing

Chris Felgate (BG scholarship athlete) will be Zimbabwe's second every Olympic triathlete.

After 4 years of commitment to his goal and loads travel to race against the best in the world Chris was given the nod by the Zimababwe Olympic Committee. He is currently training in Holland with Sander Berk and will travel from there to Korea with the Dutch Olympic Team to prepare alongside Sander and then on to Beijing.

Chris has been an example of commitment and dedication despite the odds! He is a symbol of what the Olympic Games is all about ! I am proud to be able to share this journey with him.

Erhard Wolfaardt wins Elite SA Duathlon Champs in time off

Erhard Wolfaardt- 2008 Champion (Elite)

Erhard Wolfaardt decided to race the 2008 SA Duathlon Championships during his short break from international racing because it was an event in his home town and there was no travelling required! Despite being on his short break from full training and it being an event at 1,800m altitude, he raced solidly and took the title in his stride. His only challenge came from an age group duathlon specialist Brand Du Plessis from Central Gauteng. But, Erhard knew what he had to do to win the Elite title and he went out and did just that.

Erhard resumes training on Monday 7th July preparing for the rest of the domestic season in South Africa and the 2009 international circuit.

The four year plan through to London 2012 has now begun!

Mari Rabie wins Bronze at World Champs

After a testing season Mari Rabie does what we all knew she was capable of and races to the Bronze medal at World Champs in the U23 event.

After an almost 5- week lay off from running to rest up a niggly leg, Mari exited the water first in the swim and rode in the 3 person break away group on the bike and she 'hung tough' to come home as the first ever South African to win a medal in the U23 event.

This was a GREAT come back event for Mari and is now on track again to achieve big things in Beijing in August.

Ashley Finaughty - Great Triathlon Talent form Africa

Ashley Finaughty (ZIM) after an excellent swim in Vancouver

Ashley Finaughty's 4th place at the junior World Championships heralds the arrival of the next generation of triathlon stars in Africa. Ashley has been part of the BG Triathlon Sport Development process. She attended a coaching course in Zimbabwe (partially funded by ITU) coached by Craig Redman(AUS) where he wAas quick to spot her talent. She then attended the BG Triathlon World Junior Camp in Hungary after which she travelled to Australia (arranged by Craig)where she has now set up her training base in Brisbane and is under the guidance of Coach Steven Moss. Her improvement has been phenomenal and her talent coupled with her work ethic stands her in good stead as she approaches the lead up into the 2012 Olympics.

Ashley has set a new standard for young triathletes from Africa!

Abrahm Louw shows his Class

Abrahm Louw (NAM) leads the chase group

In his first ever World Championship event, Abrahm Louw (NAM), just 16 years old, raced to his best performance ever finishing in an excellent 20th position in the freezing cold conditions in Vancouver, Canada. Abrahm was the best placed finisher of all the African participants outsprinting his friend and training partner Wikus Weber (RSA), who also notched up his best ever performance (21st) at a World Championship event.

Both these young athletes are talents for their respective countries for 2012 Olympic Games in London.

In the company of a legend - Simon Whitfield

Triathlon group from Africa with Simon Whitfield and Pippa.

Abrahm Louw(Namibia) and Wikus Weber (RSA) with Simon after Durrance Lake swim

Icing legs in Cadbora Bay after running on Elk Lake Trails

The group of triathletes from Africa rounded up their preparation camp in the company of a legend. They swam in the beautiful Durrance Lake, dined at a local food mall, held his 2000 Olympic Gold Medal in their and listened to Simon's amazing stories on a day where he unselfishly gave up his valuable time to make a difference in the lives of this young group. To top it all Simon showered the group with gifts from his sponsors and for the rest of the evening the kids from Africa were in awe of this fine young man and could not stop talking about their time with "the legend".

Once again I was reminded of the importance of role models. Simon Whitfield was the cherry on the top of an amazing pre World Champs training camp in Victoria, Canada. What an amazing training location. We will be back for sure !!!

Conrad Stoltz wins XTerra West Champs

Conrad Stoltz wins XTerra West Championships making it 6 wins in 7 years

(Photo by Rich Cruse)

Conrad Stoltz swam well, biked like a superstar and ran strong in the horrendously hot conditions of the XTerra West Championship event in Temecula, California. A great start to his 2008 season which will see him racing both the USA and the Europe circuits for the first time ever.

This was just the start he had hoped for and a great performance considering he is still in his base training phase!

GREAT JOB CONRAD !

Leonardo Chacon - A young man with the heart of a lion

Leonardo Chacon (COSTA RICA)

Today I pay tribute to a young man with the heart of a lion! At a time where Leonardo Chacon (COSTA RICA) has almost watched his 2008 Olympic hopes and dreams fade away with bad luck (a crash in Mooloolaba, Australia and then a plastic packet getting stuck in his back derrailleur of his bike and totally putting him out of the race) he has jumped onto yet another long haul flight this time to South Africa and run his way into an excellent 16th spot at the Richards Bay BG Triathlon World Cup blowing new life into his possible Olympic journey. Bad luck nearly ruined it again for him though when his bike box went missing on the flight from the USA only to arrive in Richards Bay on the morning of the race! Despite all of this he stayed focussed on the job at hand and delivered one of his very best world cup performances of his career.

In my books Leo is a superstar in the making with an attitude that will stand him in good stead in his triathlon career for many years to come.

Leo - you were the highlight of theWorld Cup week-end for me! There will be many more great days for you in the future!

Triathlon South Africa supports incredible project in KwaZulu Natal

SA Elite Triathletes with leading "Tree- Entrepenuer" Thobela at his nursery.

TSA President - Gideon Sam and his Elite Team along with some of competitors at duathlon event.

South Africa's Elite Triahtletes with the some 464 competitors

in the Esikhawini Community Challenge

In KwaZulu Natal, the Wildlands Trust has initiated an indigenous tree growing project with the community to generate income for this impoverished community. The seedling trees are then sold by the Wildlands Trust to companies that rehabilitate land disturbed through mining and other activities. The young "Tree-preneurs" earn a money value for each tree they grow up to a height of 30 cm and can then exchange this for needed goods. Once they have grown 150 such trees they earn a bicycle and a helmet of their own and are encouraged to participate in multi-sport events.

All but 6 of the of the 464 competitors at the duathlon event held over the Richards Bay BG Triathlon World Cup week-end have already grown their 150 trees and been presented with their brand new yellow bicycles and helmets and lined up at the Esikhawini Community Challenge for what was a tremendous event and a wonderful sport development initiative.

I felt both humbled and privileged to be part the day.

A World Cup on home soil for South African Triathletes!

South African Elite Triathletes race ready for Richards Bay BG Triathlon World Cup

(Photo: Dr.Carol Austin)

The BG Triathlon World Cup Circuit comes to South Africa again this week and will take place on the 'tried and tested' Richards Bay course. In 2007 history was made when Hendrik De Villiers (RSA) became first South African male or female to win a World Cup event. Local fans will be hoping for the same again this year but the cream of theWorld Cup Crop will be here and the quality of field is way higher than in the two previous World Cups on the same course so we can only hope the local triathletes come with their 'A-game' and use the home ground to their advantage.

I know most of us are excited that we will all only have to fly 2 hours to get to the event instead of the usual 20 hours plus of energy sapping trans-continental travel.

Also lining up will be 11 past and present Team BG triathletes hoping to earn valuable Olympic points to help them onto the start line in Beijing.

Do Role Models Matter ? - Of course they Do!

Conrad Stoltz finishing at Xterra South Africa and coach Libby Burrell

Mari Rabie (current SA and African Triathlon Champion) wrote this in her blog after once again being inspried byher childhood hero - CONRAD STOLTZ (http://marirabie.com/)

I want to be able to do that...

It is not everyday that you get the opportunity to meet, never mind race against the hero that inspired you as a kid. I was in the fortunate position to do exactly that this weekend at the South African Xterra held in Eligin, Grabouw.

Conrad Stoltz............

I have memories of me as a little aspiring triathlete sitting at our dinner table staring at this lean, mean triathlete absolutely captivated by the stories he was telling of his racing in Europe. I must have been 10 years old. I can't exactly remember and Conrad was back from Europe (I think France?)and having dinner at our house. I always knew of some awesome South African triathlete racing somewhere else, but to finally meet him was a mayor wow. I was inspired...later that year I wrote down in my yearbook that mum made us fill in each year that I wantto be a Professional Triathlete when I grow up.I think that was the first time Conrad made me think "I want to be able to do that".

Another memory is of a 13 year old me sitting on our living room floor, at 2am during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. It was the first time triathlon would feature in the Olympics and there was no chance in the World I would miss it, even thoughI had swim training the next morning at 5.15am. I remember the streets of Sydney looking absolutely packed. I kept asking my Mum during the men's swim "Where is Conrad?Where is Conrad?". A tough question to answer during a wetsuit swim. My question was soon answered on the bike though...Conrad and Oliver Marceau had a successful breakawayon the bike....IN THE OLYMPICS!!!!! My parents had invited most of the local triathlon crowd over and Conrad's break caused so much excitement in our house that we woke up my poor sister who was writing her final High School exams duringthat time.I remember thinking "One day I would like to be able to do that..."

I guess that even now (a good 8 years later and knowing Conrad a lot better)I still think "Wow" every time I see him and still follow his now extremely successful Xterra career closely...I was on a sailing holiday last year in the Seychelles while he was racing World Xterra champs and was bugging Libby every ten minutes to tell me what was going on in the race.My whole family was delighted when we heard he ran away from Oliver Marceau to take his third World Xterra title.

So I guess I had this same wow feeling on Saturday when I was doing the swim leg of the Xterra in Grabouw and realisingat the first bouy that this person next to me that I kept on hitting over the head, is actually Conrad.Oeps. So I decided to swim a little faster to get away. I exited the water 3rd, behind Heinrich Dahms and Dan Hugo. I headed to the VIP tent then, to have coffee and chill with Libby while we waited for the guys to come in from the bike leg. When we got the update from the halfway mark and realised Conrad was not in the Top 5, we knew something had happened...Conrad slit open his tyre on the one of the technical sections. I suppose most athletes would have done the "Just my luck/chuck my bike into the forest thing", but not Conrad. He fixed his puncture, held his head high and came into T2 more than 12 min off Dan Hugo who was leading the race.

The most amazing thing to me was Conrad's composure when he came up to the finish, he had a smile on his face, obviously disappointed, but not showing any glimpse of it what so ever.Once again I thought..."I want to be able to do that"

Respect Conrad and thanks for inspiring us, the "younger" ones.

From website of Mari Rabie http://marirabie.com/content/view/54/43/

Tribute to Team BG Support Team - Part 2

Craig Redman (AUS) working with Team BG athletes on Mooloolaba Beach

Jamie Turner (AUS) giving surf tips toSvetlana Blazevic (SERBIA)

In part 2 of the blog paying tribute to Team BG Support Staff I recognise Craig Redman and Jamie Turner who as coaches and sport development contract staff always go the extra mile to serve the sport globally.

Thanks guys - you really make a difference to our programme!

A Tribute to Team BG Support Staff

Jeff Donaldson (Bike Mechanic) and Diana Palmer (Physio)

It is time to pay tribute to our superstar support team, Jeff and Diana, that work endlessly to see that 'bodies and machines' are in perfect condition for race day.

I get so many 'thank you' notes from the athletes post-event for the great support Team BG has on board so this post is my way of saying THANK YOU to you both.

Fabulous two weeks for Team BG !

Javier Cuevas meets Javier Gomez in New Plymouth, NZ.

Team BG athletes post race in New Plymouth, NZ .

As our back to back TEAM BG trip down under came to a close we took time to celebrate a trip full of high points. After a stellar race day in Mooloolaba the team travelled to New Zealand and went even better!

Omar Tayara (SYRIA) got word that he was selected by IOC for the Tripartite slot to compete in Beijing; Lisa Norden (SWEDEN) went one better to take silver in New Plymouth and Javier Cuevas (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC) took the second bike prime in New Plymouth ahead of his highly favoured peers.

On a personal note I got to see my eldest sister, Wendy who lives in Brisbane, Australia. This was a real treat as we live miles apart now and only see each other every other year or so.

Lisa Norden (SWE) wins first World Cup medal for Team BG

Lisa Norden becomes first Team BG athlete to win a medal at a World Cup event.

Lisa Norden celebrated the one year anniversary of the Team BG - Elite Athlete Development Project by winning the bronze medal at the first World Cup of the 2008 season. Lisa paid tribute to the BG project by making mention of the fact that there are so many talented young athletes that could benefit from the same support she has had from ITU and BG this past year. The funding has allowed her to travel and train with her personal coach, Darren Smith (AUS) and the fruits of their labour have been justly rewarded. Lisa is an inspiration to her B G team mates who now believe that their dreams can come true with the necessary support and commitment.

Race Day approaching in Mooloolaba, Australia

Team BG athletes get advice from the experts

Leo Chacon (CRC) and Javier Cuevas (DOM) testing waters on day before World Cup

The first BG World Cup event of the 2008 season gets underway on Sunday March 3oth in Mooloolaba, Australia. This is also the first Team BG event of the season. The conditions are slightly cooler than for the 2007 event but the waves of the Mooloolaba coast still offer their usual challenge.

Team BG lines up for first World Cup Events of 2008

Leonardo Chacon (Costa Rica) and Libby at final party of the 2007 Beijing BG Triathlon World Cup

Team BG will line up in Mooloolaba, Australia for the first World Cup of the 2008 season. Lisa Norden (SWE); Svetlana Blazevic (SERBIA); Loenardo Chacon (CRC); Chris Felgate (ZIM); Dan Alterman (ISR and Javier Cuevas (DOM) make up the group for the first Team BG event of the year. They will be supported by Diana Palmer (Physio); Jeff Donaldson (Bike Mechanic); Jamie Turner (Coach); Craig Redman (Coach); Roberto Solano (mentor coach);Morgan Inglis (ITU Media) and Libby Burrell (Team Manager). The team will be in Australia for a week and then fly on to New Plymouth, New Zealand for the second World Cup event of the season. They will be joined in New Plymouth by Omara Tayara (SYRIA) who flies into New Zealand directly from an Asian Cup Event.

Nigeria Represented at 2008 African Triathlon Championships

Nigeria (Victor Aladdin) represented for the first time at the African Triathlon Championships

A Nigerian delegation of administrators, coaches and athletes attended the African Triathlon Championships for the first time in the history of the sport. Under careful leadership of their president, Dr. Lanre Glover, a well known sports administrator and member of the international sports medicine commission, the group travelled to Yasmine -Hammamet, Tunisia. Nigeria also recently entered their first ever team to participate in the ITU World Championships in Vancouver, Canada in june of this year.

Nigeria is one of the BG Asset Area projects and they have used the support of BG Group and ITU Sport Development to develop the sport in Nigeria. ITU Sport Development staff will travel to Lagos,Nigeria inDecember 2008 to work with the federation on coaching, technical and event management projects.

Namibia's Rising Star - Abrahm Louw

Abrahm Louw at the finish line of the 2008 African Championships in Tunisia

Abrahm Louw raced his way to the start line of the World Championships in Vancouver in June 2008 with an incredible performance at the recent African Championshships in Hammamet, Tunisia winning the U17 category and placing 4th overall Junior in the U19 category. This young 15 year old is pure class and Namibia can be rightfully excited about his future. It is exciting to see another African Nation making inroads into elite level racing!

Great day of racing in Tunisia - 2008 African Championships

Host hotel in Yasmine -Hammamet, Tunisia

Mari Rabie in full flight heading out on the run.

Libby Burrell and Gergely Markus at race hotel in Tunisia

Tunisia Triathlon Federation played host to the 2008 African Triathlon Championships and while the weather was uncharacteristically cold the racing was exciting and the race course itself proved itself to be a prospective World Cup venue for sure. Hendrik De Villiers and Mari Rabie ran out worthy winners with Mari winning the title by over 3 minutes from Kate Roberts but Hendrik had to fight hard for his victory after being chased down by Erhard Worlfaardt who made his intentions known coming within 10 seconds of a victory. Ashley Finaughty (Zimbabwe) had a great race winning the junior girl's category and Wikus Weber (RSA) lead from the gun to the finish winning his first ever African Championship title. Abrahm Louw (Namibia) walked away with the boy's under 17 title and earned himself a start at the World Championships in Vancouver in June.

Stellenbosch - A Training Destination of choice

Stellenbosch, South Africa has been a hive of triathlon activity for several national and international triathletes this summer. This beautiful town in the winelands of the Western Cape has become a training destination of choice for triathetes from all over the world.

This week Javier Gomez (ESP), Tim Don (GB), Rici Lisk (GER), Richy Nicholls (GB), Erhard Wolfaardt (RSA) and Vicky Van Der Merwe (RSA) all lined up for a popular 10km night race in Stellenbosch, South Africa and did the triathletes proud. Javier recorded an excellent sub 30 minute performance to take overall third place with Tim Don not too far behind. Erhard was on a mission to record a good 5km time for the first half of the run and did just that with a sub 15 minute run showing the form he needs going into African Champs next week. Rici Lisk of Germany won the women's race in a fine 35 minute run and young Vicky Van der Merwe (still a junior) took overall 4th place in her first ever 10km run in a time of just over 37 minutes.

Photo: Erhard Wolfaardt and Mari Rabie after a swim session on Thursday in Stellenbosch

Kleinmond - Running Paradise

Photos: View from running trails on Heuningklip Protea Farm in Kleinmond, RSA.

After another fabulous run today, I thought it was time for me to share some images from my running paradise - Kleinmond, South Africa. How many people get the chance to hop onto trails just 100m from their front door and run for miles and miles with only the trails, the wild flowers, bird life and small buck in sight. Kleinmond has become my little running paradise and a wonderful working retreat when I am not jetting to any one or other ITU- BG Sport Development activity.

Africa Cup Race in Bloemfontein, South Africa

This week-end several top triathletes including the likes of Javier Gomez (ESP) and Rici Lisk (GER) will line up in Maselspoort just outside of Bloemfontein, South Africa for the African Cup Event. Interestingly enough Javier Gomez won one of his first ever ITU Continental Cup races in the very same city a few years ago and no doubt he is the strongest contender to take the title again his year. Being a high altitude city it will offer additional challenges for the athletes other than the usual African heat at this time of the year. BG Scholarship athlete from Zimbabwe, Chris Felgate, will be racing for points to try to keep his African ranking high enough to secure his slot for Beijing. Also on the men's start line will be several other top South African athletes including Kent Horner and Erhard Wolfaardt.

Photo: Erhardt Wolfaardt on training run at recent RSA High Performance Camp in Knysna, South Africa