Triathlon is the winner at BSG Energade Triseries final

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Tuesday, 06 December 2011 09:28

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Murray and Steyn triumph at BSG Energade Triseries final

Team BSG reigned supreme claiming four podium positions at the final event of the 2011 BSG Energade Triseries at Vanderbijlpark on Sunday, 4 December. Richard Murray (Team BSG) pulled off a fantastic finish and Andrea Steyn (Team BSG) made it seven out of seven in 2011.

The final event of the 2011 BSG Energade Triseries was held at Emerald Casino in Vanderbijlpark. Race organisers confirmed that the event was sold out on Tuesday, 29 November - highlighting the growing popularity of the sport. It was an early start to the day for the packed field of competitors who made their way to Emerald Casino on the banks of the beautiful Vaal river. After a chilly start to the morning, the spirit and excitement of the day grew as the weather warmed up and all the race participants moved down to the water’s edge for the race briefing.

There was more than just a podium finish at stake for the competitors as this was also their last opportunity to gather valuable points towards winning the overall Series title. Over 900 entries were received for the Main Series and more than 170 entries for the Kiddies’ race. In the majority of the race categories there were several competitors in the running for the Series Titles. Their determination and competitive spirit was visible to all the spectators who had come along to enjoy the action and adrenalin promised by the final event and they were not disappointed!

In the Elite Men’s race, it had all come down to the final event as Richard Murray and Erhard Wolfaardt (Team Mr Price) were both in the running to take the overall Series title. First out of the water was young

Henri Schoeman (Team Future Life) closely followed by Abrahm Louw (Team BSG). During the cycle, the Elite Men bunched up and it was Abrahm who made the first break away from the pack. Richard and Erhard had to kick things up a gear to catch up to Abrahm. Leading the Elite Men out of T2 was Pieter van der Mescht (Team Future Life) with Richard hot on his heels, quickly overtaking Pieter. Richard managed to maintain his lead throughout the run and finished triumphantly with a time of 56:34. Erhard crossed the finish line 23 seconds later in a time of 56:57, followed by Abrahm in third with his time of 57:04. Claude Eksteen (Team Inov-8) and Henri Schoeman rounded off the top five.

In the Elite Ladies’ race, having already secured sufficient points to win the overall Series title, defending champion Andrea Steyn (Team BSG) was in top form, eager to make it seven out of seven for the 2011 BSG Energade Triseries. First out of the water was Carlyn Fischer (Team Inov-8) followed by the rest of the pack. It once again all came down to the run where Andrea proved to be unstoppable, securing her seventh consecutive gold medal for the 2011 Triseries – making it her 38^th win since she started competing in the BSG Energade Triseries! Andrea crossed the finish line in a time of 1:04:40 with Carlyn almost a minute behind her, crossing the finish line with a time of 1:05:35. Carlyn was followed by Vicky van der Merwe (Team BSG) who finished in third place with her time of 1:06:29. Tayla Glover (Team Mr Price) and Carla van Huyssteen (Team Inov-8) finished in fourth and fifth place respectively.

Elite Men’s Category Race Results:

1 Richard Murray 0:56:34

2 Erhard Wolfaardt 0:56:57

3 Abrahm Louw 0:57:04

4 Claude Eksteen 0:57:36

5 Henri Schoeman 0:57:41

Elite Ladies’ Category Race Results:

1 Andrea Steyn 1:04:40

2 Carlyn Fischer 1:05:35

3 Vicky van der Merwe 1:06:29

4 Tayla Glover 1:07:09

5 Carla van Huyssteen 1:07:13

Once the prize giving for the final race of the 2011 BSG Energade Triseries was completed, it was time to award the coveted overall Series Titles. Team BSG dominated the podium with 2 of the top 5 Elite Men and 2 of the top 5 Elite Ladies wearing the BSG colours. The Elite Men and Ladies top 5 overall finishing positions for the Series were almost identical to the order in which they finished the final race, a testament to the consistent performances of these athletes.

After his triumphant win earlier in the morning, Richard Murray took top honours as the overall winner in the Elite Men’s category. Richard was overjoyed saying that he had been dreaming of winning the title since he was 16 years old! In second place was 2010 defending champion Erhard Wolfaardt, followed by Abrahm Louw in third, young Henri Schoeman in fourth and Theo Blignaut fifth.

After having won every race in the 2011 Triseries, it was no surprise when Andrea Steyn took the overall Series Title for the Elite Ladies. In second place was Carlyn Fischer, followed by Vicky van der Merwe in third, Carla van Huyssteen in fourth and Tayla Glover in fifth position.

The 2011 BSG Energade Triseries race organisers wish to congratulate all the Elite Athletes on their fantastic performances in the 2011 Triseries, and wish them all the best as they continue their journey towards competing at the 2012 Olympics taking place in London.