Race Report – Totalsports Challenge Kleinmond 2008

I got it all horridly wrong. As I ran onto the beach with my mint carbon Epic V10 on my shoulder, the lined up surfski field started nudging forward in anticipation for the start of the 2008 Totalsports Challenge in Kleimnond. For sure the latest I’ve been for a start in years, since missing a triathlon start all together as a junior I guess… 

(Starting the 7 Discipline multipsort race with a 12km Surfki leg in Gordon’s Bay)

It took the first few minutes on the ski for my heart rate to calm, and adrenaline levels to taper off. I’m still baffled at where the minutes went. But when the sinking realisation sets in, its chaos, and more hast becomes less speed. I was fumbling round, chasing a toilet, getting my road bike setup in t2, giving last minute instructions to my seconds, all with an urgency unnecessary for any form of professionalism. Crazy how hours of prep could be hashed in a few minutes.

(Getting back in after a small portage after lap1 of 2)

I really enjoyed the first leg in False Bay on the ski in tame conditions by sea-lover’s standards, but bouncy by someone’s who never gets out on the ocean much. I tried in-vain to catch a run or two, and in the end just settled in behind some steady soul’s. I had my only scare for the day after lap1, having connected my boat with another. My under-stern rudder was jammed. It meant capsizing, swimming to the back, straightening it, and climbing back on. Thankfully minor in the end, and if anything I was then two bunches back and going more civilised pace.

(My father starting lap2)

One of the reasons for my abundant excitement for the day was that so many of my friends were involved in the race, as well as my father who would be taking on his first Totalsports Challenge individually on not much training and archaic equipment.

On my side it was just the opposite, and I was fortunate enough to have access this year to some really great equipment, including a brand new Ocra Long John, lent to me by Orca, as its ideal for slipping on after the surfki… With a little help from Ruth of course.

(Putting on an ‘out-the-packet’ Orca Sleeveless)

(Swim exit, heading into t2 off the Gordan’s Bay beach)

The swim had been carnage, and nothing as orderly as the ordinary triathlon swim, with the field spreading itself from the gun in different ability levels. After the surfki, some hand over to their pairs partner, who has never swam, or to the fastest 1500 swimmer in the country at the moment type of vibe. So I was swimming over some slower vessels, while some came flying past me in the whirlpool like I was going nowhere slowly.

But despite all the franticness in the water, I hit the road bike and couldnt see anyone ahead, nor behind. The dreaded no-man’s land. I figured to put my head down and ride too hard for 15min in the hope of catching a bunch to work with. I knew I was playing with fire applying some hurt early on. 15min along the most stunning road ride along the cliff face between Gordan’s Bay and Rooiels, and I still couldnt see my ticket home. I was feeling great through this patch though, and enjoyed the time trialing. Its one of the intimate parts of the race as well, as probably close to 500 cars would pass me, most of whom toot and hurl encouragement out the window.

(Just pass Rooiels onward to Kleimond on my S-Works Transition)

The buzz in each transition is sufficient for the quieter roads between, and none more so than the road run. A long straight 13km drag that feels all slightly up. I had company from a friend, Steve Atwell, and we ran well together. Till the much needed ‘slashing-stop’.

(Road running to the Arabella Golf Estate)

I was definitely feeling better than last year, perhaps aided by the choice weather which was a most welcome change from last year’s cold front. The race was tight up front, with team New Balance and team Mr Price within one minute of each other. I was interest in the playoffs between the two star studded teams, but felt the mountain bike between Christoph Sauser and Burry Stander would be the decider. Further back I was hearing positive reports on father, as well as Dylan, Christie and Brett.

I’d not paddled much this past year, and was feeling so on the second paddling stage of the race. I’d manage to build a small lead on Steve coming into the transition, in the hope of catching a wave from his partner, but my change over, putting the splashy and life-jacket on, just took too long. I’d be pulling on my own this time.

(Calm waters on the estuary – starting the 13km K1 leg)

(Another stunning photo by my sister Clare)

Mr Price lead off the water with Sven Bruss handing over the Yellow Live Strong Band to South Africa’s best mountain biker, Burry Stander. He’d be chased by Christoph though, current UCI world mtb champion, and a mere minute I felt was bridgeable. But Sauser missed a turn, and lost another 50sec.

(Christoph Sauser starting the mtb – wheel spin and all)

In my mind, the second half of the race is the last two legs. They’re by far the most testing terrain. The mountain bike starts with a 6km climb, on a gravel road with true South African ’sinkplaat’, meaning a corrugated surface of loose sand and pebbles. I was feeling great though, and in much better emotional space than last year at this point. I had a friend who was mountain biking for a three man team just ahead as a carrot, Andre Calitz the beast. But other than Andre, the new addition to the Totalsports Challenge, the Terra Firma race (Everything but the two paddles and swim), made for plenty company on the mountain through the Koegelberg Reserve.

(Finishing the mtb leg of 25km in Kleinmond)

My temporary flatmate, Michal, raced the Terra Firma event and finished an admirable third. He’s been doing a fair bit of training with me, and we’ll have him paddling and and doing to the real race next year for sure.

(A broken Michal – Wearing the bike shop that supports me’s vest: Mason’s Bike Inn)

The beach run is done for most on the camaraderie energy from fellow sufferers on the sloped sand. Its a soul destroying 4.5km trek one way to a turn one cant see till right close, and then a euphoric turn and last dig home. It was meant to be at least, but I started fading with about 2km to go. Perhaps dehydration, perhaps just having not consumed enough through the day. Despite that bit of hurt, I felt much better than last year all round, and broke last years record by a few minutes to set the bar at 6h33.

(Finishing the Totalsports Challenge in Kleinmond)

(Bullshit’ing bout the day…)

My father was taking strain out on course. I could see after his mtb leg, with a long beach awaiting, that he was in proper difficulty. But I couldnt think of a better bet to finish anything started than my father. What he starts, he finishes, and this was to be no different.

(My father, Stefan Hugo, with one stage to go)

After 8h45min, my old man came home stronger than he’d set out on the beach. A long day in anyones book. He’ll be back next year, and I’ll sort his vintage bikes and gear by then. Maybe even offer a top not made from old-school wool… Either way, be sure to watch the show on Super Sport…

(Father finishing)

The girls race was meant to belong to Jeannie Bomford, who’s in fine form heading to Coast to Coast in New Zealand next month. She regrettably rolled a car in the week, and restricting stitches prevented her showing. It left Hanlie Booyens and Jeannette Walder to chase the dow. They exchanged lead by as much as ten minutes through the day, with their strengths differing totally. The one a paddler, the other a biker. Hanlie came out too strong, to win her first Totalsports Challenge.

(Woman’s podium)

Brett, an ex-pro swimmer, has been borrowing my old boat for a few months to start paddling. I dont know quite how he survived, but he even finished top ten. He swam 5times in False Bay, and battled getting back in. Perhaps the thought of the 7m Great Whites helped, and he made it back in. I feel his efforts and many like him are the true heroes of the day.

So too Christie Augustyn, a school friend of mine, who’s a class paddler, finished one spot ahead of Brett. He’d never really ridden a bike till a few months back, and some how he made it through the day. He has more enthusiasm than most I’ve met, and I reckon thats enough to conquer any challenge.

(6th through 9th – Graham Bird, Brett Wood, Christie Augustyn, and Simon Bick)

Simon had finished 21st individually last year, and went a lot better for a deserved top 10. The Totalsports Ladies team won their seventh year in a row. Jacques van Rensburg, who I’d stayed with in Arabella and riden the mtb course with offering what little advice I had, together with his two partners won the three man event. Dawid and Nikki Mocke, a much loved couple in the Cape, raced as a pair to win that title in the mixed pairs.

Training partner Dylan finished 4th. A class performance for how little training he has in the bag after a year focused on studies, and his girl friend…

(Dylan and and I)

(Men’s Podium – Andre Gie finished second, unsure of third…)

Big Brother winner, Ferdinand Rabie, did the beach run for a celeb team. A crazy achievement for a chain smoker… I hope he’ll be back again, as he brought with him bag of energy and laughs, as well as the proof that anyone can be involved, anyone can do it, even a drug addict. As he said, perhaps he too could get addicted to multisport.  

(Ferdiand Rabie taking the micky out of me)

www.flickr.com dghugo’s Totalsports Challenge Kleinmond 2008 photoset

Click on “view Slide Show” for best viewing of the photo’s.

Ruth’s best video clip yet by far – a must watch. Enjoy. Just of me I know, but its my party and I’ll cry if I want to… Will make another of the actual race soon…