Excitement was high on Saturday, 14 January 2012 when sports enthusiasts from various sporting disciplines gathered in Gordon’s Bay to take on the 10th annual Totalsports Challenge presented by New Balance and REHIDRAT® SPORT.  Multi-sport legend Dan Hugo walked off with his 6th consecutive victory in the individual men’s category on the day, while Lezandre Joubert caused an upset in the individual women’s category o f this much loved event.

 

The Totalsports Challenge (7-disciplines) started in Gordon’s Bay with a 12km surski and finished in Kleinmond with a 9km beach run.  The Terra Firma Challenge (4-disciplines) started in Gordon’s Bay with a 50km road bike and finished in Kleinmond with a 9km beach run.

 

Hugo had to ward off an attack from formidable opponent, Stuart Marais.  Marais made his break on the 13km road run discipline, putting approximately 3minutes into the defending champion going onto the 13km K1 canoe discipline.  “I didn’t expect a fight on the day and then finding myself in the ring taking punches, it’s just difficult when you don’t have great form,” says Hugo.  “I definitely have a lot of respect for Stuart and his talent.  He is a remarkable athlete and for a split second there he had me considering letting go.  After really digging deep I managed to catch him on the K1 paddle.  It was on the mountain bike discipline that my second tank kicked in and I could build on my lead.  I am really grateful to be able to take part in Kleinmond.  The Totalsports Challenge remains one of my favourite events.  My family’s support on the day was once again awesome”.  Hugo completed the Totalsports Challenge in an impressive time of 06hours18minutes28seconds.  Stuart Marais came in second, while Dylan Van Der Merwe finished third.

 

Lezandre Joubert hit the bull’s eye with her first attempt at the 7-discipline Totalsports Challenge crossing the finish line first in the individual women’s category in of the race in a deserving time of 07hours58minutes46seconds.  According to Joubert the first highlight of the race was on the 12km surfski discipline.  “We were approximately 30 minutes into the race when we were welcomed by between 100 – 200 dolphins.  They surrounded us, swimming under our boats.  It was such an amazing experience.  My second highlight was coming down the finish straight, realising that I was the first in my category to cross the line.  The Totalsports Challenge truly is an amazing race.  The support was perfect and the vibe was just awesome,” says Joubert.  Kim Rew came in second, while Charisse Hansen finished third.

Nico Pfitzenmaaier walked off with his third consecutive victory in the individual men’s category of the Terra Firma Challenge, completing the four disciplines in a combined time of 03hours45minutes53seconds.  Pieter Wehmeyer came in second, while John Ntuli finished third.

Courtenay Brown was the first individual women home in the Terra Firma Challenge with a winning time of 04hours42minutes42seconds.  Kathrin Walther came in second, while Ingrid Peens finished third.