Hi Dan, I seconded for Jeannie at the Coast to Coast and she introduced me to your website so I thought I’d share my account of the race with you.
As you said in one of your earlier articles, Jeannie is so calm during a race and this was no exception, it certainly makes it easy for her seconds. The only time I’ve seen her stressed in two weeks was this morning when it was time to go to the airport and she was still packing.
(Jeannie getting to Big Boulders on the 33km run leg)
As you know the race starts with a 3km run and Jeannie must have gone close to qualifying for the Olympic 3000M. She found herself getting away on the first bike with Richard Ussher and Gordon Walker who were the mainstays of a six man breakaway that eventually entered the run 7 minutes ahead of the first bunch that Jeannie wisely joined. Unfortunately there were only about five people in Jeannie’s bunch willing to work on that first ride and being as determined as she is, Jeannie was one of them with her main rivals sitting on the back.
(This where the real chaos begins)
So she was the first women into transition, was still leading just below Goat Pass and was 10secs behind at the top. Jeannie’s run was outstanding in a time just over 3hr44min and she still looked strong but nursing an injured hand that she fell on and several bruises. Still 2nd going into the river by about 41/2 mins with 5 mins back to 3rd and 8 mins to 4th placed Emily Miazga who eventually won. The paddle was tough with the river at an all time low for the event and Jeannie was slightly disadvantaged by a fairly old beaten up boat that seemed to leak somewhere and a makeshift drinking system that didn’t work. Jeannie still had the 9th best paddle for the women and was passed by three girls who had been working very hard on their paddling specifically for this event. The final bike ride was a 70km battle into a head wind and Jeannie held her own finishing 30 secs ahead of a fast finishing 6th.
(The last transition before a 70km time trial)
Jeannie is a great ambassador for South Africa, so friendly and with a great sense of humour, you should all be very proud of her. She made a lot of good contacts here in NZ and left me in no doubt that she can win this race and I’m confident that when Jeannie comes back she will.
Keep up the good work Jeannie.
Gavin
