Felix crashed on Dylan’s apartment floor in the republic of Mon Desir for two weeks last year while training and preparing for Xterra Grabouw 2008 – an out of the ordinary move for a German med-school student. We connected again in Europe at the Xterra Czech and France events – with a memorable few moments in Nice before flying back to South Africa. Felix has returned for a longer stint of 8weeks for an elective at the Tygerberg Hospital, and is accompanied this time by his misses Mignon Vatlach – who seems to keep Felix in check by taking her medical studies and triathlon career more seriously… They’re a great couple, with such an inspirational drive for a life less ordinary.
They joined for an evening out at the farm, where both treated me to some company in the usually lonely stretch of Breede river where I occassionally do some open water swimming in; albeit in disbelief of the water security through much nervous laughter.
Felix and Mignon have been in Sydney for the past few months, time without a mountain bike and/or trails to ride it on. So Felix was super excited for some time above Brandwag and in Jonkerhoek. Its been a while since training with an athlete who has such raw enthusiasm for a session as Felix. It was such a treat running with him on the farm, and biking around Stellenbosch in the afternoon. :: Note to self, with “important” in the subject line.
Once again I was treated to the most breathtaking sunset from Jonkershoek. Perhaps I am just in the head space to appreciate home and its subtle sacred attributes more on the last Monday night here (for more than three months), but even in this context it was exceptional. And I am passionate about sunsets. You see, I read this in high school sitting in ms Austin’s English classroom, and its stuck with me:
If I had my life to live over,
I’d try to make more mistakes next time.
I would relax, I would limber up,
I would be crazier than I’ve
Been on this trip. I know very few things I’d
Take seriously any more.
I would take more chances,
I would take more trips, I would scale more
Mountains, I would swim more rivers,
And I would watch more sunsets. I would eat
More ice cream and fewer beans. I would have
More actual troubles and fewer imaginary Ones.
– Aparently from an 82 year old man reflecting on his time here.–
All that as intro to the media release earlier today of my friend Felix, who will be a foe for two hours on Saturday:
GERMAN ATHLETES RETURN TO GRABOUW WITH A VENGEANCE
German multisport athletes, Felix Schumann and Nico Pfitzenmaier are no strangers to the DUESOUTH XTERRA SA racing scene. In April 2008 Schumann and Pfitzenmaier placed 2nd and 3rd respectively behind local athlete Dan Hugo at the DUESOUTH XTERRA South African finals in Grabouw. Both athletes will return to Grabouw Country Club on Saturday, 18 April 2009 where they will fight it out once again for the coveted title of 2008/2009 DUESOUTH XTERRA SA Champion.
According to Schumann, a final year medical student currently completing his internship at Tygerberg Hospital, the SA XTERRA race course is as good as XTERRA gets. “The style of the South African event definitely rivals that of the World Championships in Maui and ranks in my top three races around the world. My favourite part of the race is the run course, as it’s really beautiful and very challenging. I expect Dan Hugo to be the strongest competition on the day. He is among the best riders in XTERRA especially when it comes to the technical sections. I have, however, learnt that XTERRA is about always being prepared for the unexpected, so I won’t underestimate any competitor. I am really looking forward to catching up with the XTERRA family and spending a legendary weekend with everybody. The XTERRA SA team really know how to put an awesome event together,” says Schumann.
Pfitzenmaier recently place 1st in the mixed team category of the Cape Epic. ” I currently have the best form since years and plan to race hard at XTERRA Grabouw. The XTERRA SA event is one of the most organized XTERRA events and offers amazing exposure to the sport. The route at Grabouw is one of the nicest with great single tracks and beautiful nature. I am really looking forward to the SA finals,” says Pfitzenmaier. Top South African athletes competing on the day will include Kent Horner, Dan Hugo, Lieuwe Boonstra and Carla Germishuys.
Orca invites all competitors to a warm-up swim on Friday, 17 April 2008 from 11h00 at the Grabouw Country Club. Come test the water while trying out Orca’s latest and most innovative wetsuits. Registration for all events will take place on Thursday, 16 April 2009 from 16h00 till 20h00 at NH The Lord Charles Hotel (Somerset West).
DATE: Saturday, 18 April 2009
VENUE: Grabouw Country Club, Western Cape
EVENT: XDURO 5km or 10km Trail Run
DUESOUTH XTERRA lite: 400m swim, 12km MTB route and 5km trail run
DUESOUTH XTERRA: 1.5km swim, 25km MTB route and 10km trail run
COST: XDURO Trail Run: 5km = R30 / 10km = R60
DUESOUTH XTERRA Lite: R130 per individual / R180 per team (male/female/mixed)
DUESOUTH XTERRA: R260 per individual / R360 per team (male/female/mixed)
START: 08h00 – XDURO Trail Run / 09h00 – XTERRA Lite / 12h00 – XTERRA Full
The day will close off with the DUESOUTH XTERRA Night of Champions prize-giving dinner taking place directly after the race. Event organisers, Stillwater Sport and Entertainment encourage all competitors and spectators to attend. Hot showers and meal tickets will be available on the premises. The star-studded evening will honour the achievements of all award winners.
For more information on the DUESOUTH XTERRA presented by Nissan, race rules or on-line entries please contact Stillwater Sport and Entertainment on (021) 883 – 2413 or visit www.stillwatersports.com. For accommodation contact NH The Lord Charles Hotel (Somerset West) on 021 855 – 1040.
EVENT NEWS
- MTB and RUN routes will be open from 12h00 on Wednesday, 15 April till 16h00 on Friday, 17 April 2009
- The first 400 entrants for the XTERRA Lite will receive a cotton t-shirt
- The first 400 entrants for the XTERRA Full will receive a legendary New Balance moisture management t-shirt
- Amazing lucky draw prizes include New Balance hampers, ORCA wetsuits and a VUKA SCUTA
- No entries for the DUESOUTH XTERRA (LITE AND FULL) will be taken after registration closes on Thursday, 16 April at 20h00.
- Athletes must personally register at NH The Lord Charles Hotel between 16h00 and 20h00 on Thursday, 16 April. You will not be permitted to compete without
personal registration and indemnity signing.
- Only XDURO Trail Run entries will be taken on Saturday, 18 April at the Grabouw Country Club
- XTERRA HAPPY HOUR at NH The Lord Charles Hotel on Thursday, 16 April 2009 from 18:00 – 19:00
- Have your friends and family join you at the event in the NISSAN Village with music, food, kiddies entertainment and XTERRA action to keep them occupied
- The Bokomo Breakfast Zone open at 07h00: free Bokomo breakfast snacks and rusks
- Spectators can relax at the HUNTER’S HUB
- Delta Blue will perform after the Awards Ceremony
(Felix running the final 1km of Xterra Grabouw 2008 – photo by Oakpics.com)
