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 !!!