Devilries, Rabie take ATU African Triathlon Championships
Hendrik DeVilliers and Marie Rabie, who both won South African National titles last month, won Saturday’s ATU African Triathlon Championships in Tunisia. Their African continental victories guaranteed South Africa at least one representative in both men’s and women’s divisions at the 2008 Olympic Triathlon in Beijing.
The women
Rabie, coming off an off-form 2007 season and looking for redemption, emerged from the water with an 8-seconds lead on fellow South African and two-time defending champion Kate Roberts. Strong cyclist Rabie then pulled away on the second leg, and closed with the best run on the day to hit the line in 2:04:02 – 3 minutes and one seconds ahead of Roberts.
“To come back from a really bad season last year, I’m really happy, “Rabie told ITU media. “I’m much more focused and relaxed than last year and I think that’s the difference.”
According to complex ITU points allocations for the Beijing Games, Rabie’s win guarantees South African women at least one Olympic slot, but that spot will not necessarily go to Rabie. In 2007 ITU World Cup rankings, Roberts ranked 46th and Rabie ranked 65th – high enough to earn South African women two Olympic slots. If both women decline in rankings, South Africa will retain one Olympic spot. South African Olympic team selection is at the discretion of the national coaches.
The men
Defending champion Hendrik DeVilliers emerged first on the swim with a short lead over countryman Kent Horner and Italian Emilio D’Aquino. Toumy Deghan of France then smashed the bike leg to end the cycling leg virtually elbow to elbow with heavy favorite DeVilliers, who took South Africa’s first World Cup gold medal last year at Richards Bay. On the 10km run, DeVilliers took off alone. Countryman Erhard Wolfaardt then caught and passed Degham, setting the fastest run of the day in a futile attempt to catch DeVilliers. At the finish, DeVilliers crossed in 1:50:54 – just 10 seconds ahead of the fleet feet of Wolfaardt, with Degham another 11 seconds back in third. Republic of South Africa competitor Kent Horner took the African Championships bronze medal with a 1:53:00 finish.
The 2008 ATU African Triathlon Championship was the first ITU-sanctioned Race ever staged in Tunisia.
ATU Triathlon African Championships
Jasmine Hamm met, Tunisia
March 8, 2008
S 1.5k/ B 40k/ R 10k
Results
Elite women
Gold - Mari Rabie (RSA) 2:04:02
Silver - Kate Roberts (RSA) 2:07:03
3. Beatrice Lanza (Ita) 2:07:34
Bronze Corinne Berg (RSA) 2:08:04 *
Elite men
Gold - Hendrik DeVilliers (RSA) (RSA) 1:50:54
Silver - Erhard Wolfaardt (RSA) 1:51:04
3. Toumy Degham (Fra) 1:51:15
Bronze – Kent Horner 9RSA) 1:53:00 *
* All nations may compete for prize money, but only African athletes may earn ITU point and podium positions
