28 Apr '15: ATC NEWS

 

 ATC AGM ’15 – WTC Feedback – New Embark Programs

 

Wow, what a weekend?!  Despite disappointment with the swim being cancelled on Saturday, it was a superb weekend for Triathlon in Cape Town.  We would like to thank all ATC and Embark members who entered and raced as this enabled the club to embrace the event with involvement, not only as participants, but in many other aspects as well.

 

Planning and arranging development teams, sponsored by the City of Cape Town, started weeks back when Tygerberg Aquatics, YEP CLAN, Songo.Info and ATC Development joined forces to assemble five teams for the Olympic Distance Event and eight for the Sprint.   Watching the team members, most of whom only met on the day of the event, gel very quickly and perform brilliantly was very rewarding.  When you have over 40 entrants to manage there are bound to be changes and we certainly kept the World Sport and Top Events staff busy at registration.  They were extremely patient and very helpful making the process an absolute pleasure.

 

Leading up to the event ATC and Embark, with STeve Attwell and Gary Marescia, hosted a very successful and well attended information session on the event at the Green Point Cricket Club.

 

Thanks to all the entrants from ATC and Embark (roughly 10% of the field) we had 18 free entries to the event, which we distributed to members for a nominal donation.  These funds were applied to cover costs of transport and food for the development teams.  We were also able to supply much needed volunteers for Sunday’s event from the pool of casual labourers we normally use for our own event.  This not only gave these labourers a change to earn a bit of money, they also gained experience, which will benefit our sport in future.  And by all accounts, they enjoyed the event too!

 

Our condolences to the family, friends and fellow triathletes of the male athlete who passed away in hospital after needing assistance during the swim of the sprint event on Sunday.  The person’s name or more details of the incident has not been made available yet.

 

Finally, watching the best Triathletes in the world race through a packed Green Point Athletics Stadium was spectacular.  A first for ITU and a first for the stadium.  We will give Richard Murray the final words on the event: “Every ounce of energy in my body got expelled today, for my Country, supporters, myself, sponsors and the youth of Triathlon in South Africa. Cheers everyone for being part of such a great day and event in my home country!  4^th place may seem like a missed a podium, yes, but so much more happened!”

 

A reminder that our Annual General Meeting will take place this evening at the Green Point Cricket Club in Vlei Road.  This will also be the official launch of our new home and training facility at the GPCC, so the AGM will be followed by a social in the GPCC bar.  We will do our normal track session at 18:00, the AGM will start at 19:30 followed by the launch social shortly afterwards.

 

Congratulations to team ATC Fireballs, with Jessica Cloete, Clive Schulze and Bernard Griesel who was the second open team in the Olympic distance event on Saturday.  They were followed by team ATC YEP 1, with Amy Barnes, Masibulele Nikani and Dawood Goeiman, in 3^rd.  Nicholas Mortley was part of the Rondebosch Boys Schools team, who won their category.

In the individual’s race Greg Goodall, doing his first triathlon in years, won the 35-39 Age Group and was 5^th overall.  Jean De Villiers and Sarah Malherbe won the 30-34 Age Group.  Robyn Williams won the 25-29 Age Group.  Kirsty Thompson (2^nd 40-44), Lara Fury (3^rd 45-49) and Dawn Clarke (3^rd 55-59) all placed in their respective categories.

 

In the Sprint race on Sunday, team Space Monkey, with Peter McEwan, Peter Adolphs and Michael Gombart placed second.  Under the individuals Henry Wolsenholme (45-49), Britt Hyland (40-44) and Sue Van Diggele (50-54) won their respective age groups.  Tim Langerman (2^nd 16-19), Marinda Lindeque (2^nd 35-39), Peter Hartmann (2^nd 50-54), Denise Major (2^nd 50-54), and Graeme Lindenberg (2^nd 55-59) all placed in their respective categories.

 

SWIM:  There will a canal swim on Saturday at 16:00.

 

BIKE:  On Thursday morning we will do a MOUNTAIN BIKE ride from the Point Virgin Active at 06:00. 

 

RUN:  Track will be at the Green Point Cricket Club this evening at 18:00 to be followed by the AGM.

 

After an incredible weekend of racing, with many Embark Athletes successfully completing their target event, Embark is starting new programs to get you through winter:

The Level:  This program is focused on getting beginner triathletes to the level required to join the 70.3 Half Ironman East London training in August. They will also be prepped for the summer tri season ta tackle events such as Clanwilliam, Slanghoek, etc.

 

The Medal:  This 3 month program is dedicated at getting the novices to the finish line at Ironman 70.3 Durban.  Athletes joining this program must already be fairly confident open water swimmers, biking 60 Kms on a road bike and be running 12 Kms.

 

Intermediate 70.3 Durban:  Three months of concentrated effort for the half ironman!  We are going to include power into your bike training, heart rate into your running, volume and technique into your swimming as well as some strength & conditioning to top it all off.

 

The Lifestyle:  This program is for the athletes who want to continue with Embark training, but without a specific goal in mind.  You will be able to join in any of the weekly Embark training sessions.  You will not receive a specific Embark training program but will receive a schedule of training sessions that you can attend.

 

For more information on the above, please contact Steve@embark.co.za or visit www.embark.co.za

 

 

This coming weekend is also set to be jam-packed with the Safari Half on Friday, the Durbanville Off-Road Triathlon on Saturday and the Jonkershoek Mountain Challenge on Sunday.

 

Throughout the long weekend there will be various multisport events in Hermanus as part of and the Walker Bay Extreme sport festival.  Events include: Swimming, Cycling, Running, Strong Man Challenge, Cliff Diving, Skateboarding, Paragliding, Kayaking and a Cross Fit Challenge.

 

On Sunday is the Clifton 1SOMS event on the 3 Km CORE Route, a circular lap route from Clifton 4^th Beach towards Barker rock.  Competitors can do the race as a solo or as a relay team of 2.  Registration opens at 7:00 and the swim starts at 09:00.

 

Heads up!  Entries for the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN close on Friday 1 May at mid-night!  No late entries accepted.  This event is set to become one of the Mother City's most iconic races.  It is a 12 Km run / walk from Milnerton to Cape Town central.  There will be a festival atmosphere along the route and a Carnival at the finish. There is no cut off time, so you could literally walk it.  

 

Seems there is quite a large contingent of ATC’ers who will be doing Ironman 70.3 Mallorca.  Some of the members going have requested that we send them a list with contact details so they can all meet up before the race.  If you are going, let us know and we will add you to the list.

 

See you tonight!

ATC