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Buffelspoort XTERRA This Saturday

South African XTERRA standouts Kent Horner (pictured) and Carla Germishuys headline the second leg of the 2009-2010 XTERRA South Africa Series at the Buffelspoort Dam in the North West Province on Saturday.

The Buffelspoort XTERRA has quickly gained the reputation as the toughest XTERRA event in the country and the one that most closely resembles the World Champs course in Hawaii. The main event combines a 1.5km swim, 26.5km mountain bike and 12.5km trail run, and is the last race before the February 20 XTERRA South Africa Championship that qualifies amateur racers into XTERRA Worlds.

According to Horner, the route at Buffelspoort Dam is brutal.  “The course is really tough at that altitude, but as it is the same for everyone, it is a case of the tougher the better.  The mountainbike course is quite rocky and just when you think you’re through it, you find yourself traversing waist-deep through rivers and climbing mountains.  Although challenging, it promises to be loads of fun and that’s what makes it XTERRA.  After Buffelspoort Dam, I will definitely compete at the South African finals in Grabouw in February as I have lots of unfinished business with XTERRA Grabouw.  It’s the only XTERRA venue where I haven’t managed a win yet,” said Horner.

Organizers describe the course quite colourfully, by saying… “In the heart of Magaliesberg lies the picturesque dam called Buffelspoort. The terrain is typically bushveld and the temperature soars. Ernest Hemingway never once wrote “my body may be in London but my heart is in Buffelspoort.” – The dam is famous for a rare species of bird called the double-breasted mattress thrasher often found hanging out near picnics. You will be challenged by the vast collection of rocks, long stretches of untouched beauty and the dreaded water-buffalo – Africa’s only swimming buffalo.”