MEDIA RELEASE JANUARY 2009
HUGO AND BOONSTRA TO FACE UP AT DUESOUTH XTERRA BUFFELSPOORT DAM
Anticipation is high as two of South Africa’s top DUESOUTH XTERRA athletes, Dan Hugo and Lieuwe Boonstra, prepare to battle it out at the 2nd leg of the action packed 2008/2009 DUESOUTH XTERRA presented by Nissan on Saturday, 24 January 2009 at Buffelspoort Dam (North West Province).
Boonstra will be out for revenge, having placed 2nd to Hugo, who managed an impressive 06minute58seconds lead at the 2007/2008 DUESOUTH XTERRA Buffelspoort in November 2007. According to Boonstra, the DUESOUTH XTERRA Buffelspoort is really challenging. “XTERRA Buffelspoort is a tough race due to the altitude and heat combined with really hilly bike and run sections. I am, however, happy with my fitness level and am really looking forward to returning to Buffelspoort for a win,” says Boonstra.
Earlier this month Hugo was successful in defending his title at the 8th annual Totalsports Challenge, presented by New Balance and Powerade in Kleinmond. According to Hugo, the South African organisation of the XTERRA events is tops. “I can confidently invite any foreigner to our XTERRA events and know that they’ll be very impressed. Our courses are challenging and often out of the ordinary. With regards to Buffelspoort, the weather will be the trump card on the day. If the temperature rockets, it will definitely slow things to a virtual stand-still as the course leaves little mercy. The bike course is rocky and technical with some faster open sections later on before a savage run, which will test the remainder of the athletes’ energy reserves. The venue is great and I am really looking forward to competing,” says Hugo. Other top athletes that will compete on the day include Kent Horner and Michelle Lombardi.
The DUESOUTH XTERRA Buffelspoort Dam will feature three disciplines where individual athletes or teams of three can tackle the full challenge of the XTERRA which will consist of a 1.5km swim, 25km mountain bike and 10km trail run. Although the XTERRA Lite consists of shorter distances than the full XTERRA, athletes will still be faced with a pleasant challenge and will need to complete a 400m swim, 12km mountain bike and 5km trail run. Surrounded by the majestic Magaliesberg, Buffelspoort Dam is one of the cleanest dams in South Africa, which makes it the perfect venue for the swim leg of the XTERRA.
Individual entries for the DUESOUTH XTERRA presented by Nissan will cost R260 and team entries will cost R360 per team (male/female/mixed), while individual entries for the DUESOUTH XTERRA LITE presented by Nissan will cost R130 and team entries will cost R180 per team (male/female/individual). The DUESOUTH XTERRA Lite will start at 07h30, followed by the DUESOUTH XTERRA at 08h30. Registration will take place on the day between 06h00 – 08h00 at the dam. Race briefing will take place 15 minutes before the start of each event.
The South African DUESOUTH XTERRA finals in April form part of the XTERRA Global Tour and will offer competitors the opportunity to qualify for the world championship final in Hawaii. The global series span more than 90 qualifying events in 13 countries and take competitors to some of the most spectacular and challenging courses around the globe.
For more information on the DUESOUTH XTERRA presented by Nissan, race rules or on-line entries please contact Stillwater Sports Marketing on (021) 883 – 2413 or e-mail info@stillwatersports.com or visit www.stillwatersports.com
ENDS
Issued by PERIDOT COMMUNICATIONS
On behalf of STILLWATER SPORTS MANAGEMENT
For further information, please contact Jacky McClean on 083 291 9283 or e-mail Jacky@peridot.co.za
