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3 Champs Named at XTERRA South Africa

South African Lieuwe Boonstra and German Felix Schumann were named co-champions of the XTERRA South Africa finals at the Grabouw Country Club in Western Cape on Saturday.  It’s the first-time in XTERRA history that a championship race has ended with a shared title.

Boonstra (pictured here courtesy Oak Pics) led the race after the swim and bike, but due to a blown over directional arrow at the top of the mountainous running course he ran 400m further than required which allowed Schumann to reach the finish line first.

The South African race committee immediately considered all the facts and the decision was made to award both athletes the title.

According to Boonstra, he had an amazing race.  “I can’t believe how everything just fell into place for me.  I had an awesome swim, followed by a fantastic mountain-bike and run.  I’ve focussed all of my attention on the XTERRA SA finals and am not really sure what event I will compete in next.  I definitely want to go to the XTERRA World Championships though,” said Boonstra.

Schumann, on the other hand, was positive about his swim and run but felt that he would need to work on his biking skills.  “I made the mistake of misjudging Lieuwe, thinking that I could find his rear wheel.  He, however, was crazy on the bike and I just could not keep up.  I knew that I would have to make up time on the run leg.  I had a great race and am really going to work hard for the XTERRA World Champs,” said Schumann.

Both Boonstra and Schumann completed the event in just over two hours, 30 minutes.  Kent Horner came in third with a time of :2:39:23.

XTERRA European star Carina Wasle from Austria dominated the women’s event, finishing in 2:49:57, nearly 12 minutes ahead of runner-up Jeannie Bomford.

 “I had a good swim, considering that it’s not my strongest discipline.  The mountain-bike course was fast with a few technical single tracks.  It was slippery though with quite a lot of loose sand.  I enjoyed the run route the most, as it was up-hill, my favorite.  I had a good race and hope to be back next year to defend my title,” said Wasle.

For more information contact Jacky McClean at Jacky@peridot.co.za or visit www.stillwatersports.com.

Top 5 men
1. Felix Schumann, 2:34:17
1. Lieuwe Boonstra, 2:36:03
3. Kent Horner, 2:39:23
4. Richard Murray, 2:40:05
5. Cas Van Aardenne, 2:44:58

Top 5 women
1. Carina  Wasle, 2:49:57
2. Jeannie Bomford, 3:01:37
3. Carla Germishuys, 3:10:54
4. Tanya Rabie, 3:30:20
5. Dominique Provoyeur, 3:42:25