The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
A huge turnout is expected at this year’s Bonaqua Troutbeck African Triathlon Union Sprint Triathlon African Cup to be held at the Troutbeck Inn Resort in Nyanga on 16 February with the elite athletes already standing at almost 30.
According to the International Triathlon Union website, so far 20 men and eight women have confirmed their participation in the annual race. Zimbabwe only have representative in the elite section, Gideon Benade who made his debut as a senior last year is making his second appearance again this year as he looks to start the qualifying process for the 2024 Olympics.
South Africa have nine elite men followed by Germany with five, Luxembourg have two of their triathletes while Czech Republic, Ireland and Mauritius have one each. In the elite women, South Africa have four representatives, Germany two while Ireland and Egypt have one each.
Last year’s Bonaqua Troutbeck ATU African Cup saw the elite section being entered by 15 men and five women.
Rick Fulton, the Triathlon Zimbabwe president said they are reaping the rewards of having the event a week after the Triathlon World Cup, which is taking place on 10 February in Cape Town, South Africa. With some of the triathletes still on the waiting list to be cleared by the ITU, Fulton believes that the numbers are likely to grow in the days leading up to the event.
“That’s the best we have ever had in terms of entries, it’s happening a week after the Triathlon World Cup in Cape Town so it’s much easier for some of the international athletes to plan to come here from there. Elite international entries will close a week before the event so there is still a chance for more to enter. For the local events, entries are open until 24 hours before so we expect a good turnout there as well,’’ Fulton said.
German Jonas Breinlinger won the men’s elite section ahead of Australian Nicholas Free and Namibian Jean-Paul Burger. Cindy Schwulst of South Africa won the women’s race, with her compatriot Jayme-Sue Vermaas second while Yan Yin Hilda Choi from Hong Kong finished third.
This year’s Bonaqua Troutbeck ATU African Cup was officially launched in Harare last Wednesday where Fulton and Vee Chibanda, the Coca-Cola senior brand manager were the speakers.
While this is the third time that Bonaqua are the title sponsors, this is the sixth year that Coca-Cola have been involved with the Troutbeck event.
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