TODAY, the event’s focus is the Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup Troutbeck’s elite women’s category. Five athletes from a small but fiercely competitive field will battle it out for top honours.
Among them is Zimbabwe’s junior woman triathlete Nicole Madya, who’s gearing up for a strong performance in what she’s announced will be her final triathlon race before hanging up her boots. Madya, a seasoned long-distance runner, is banking on her strength in the discipline to qualify for the Africa Championships and exit the triathlon scene on a high note.
But Madya won’t have it easy, as she faces stiff competition from a trio of strong contenders from the Netherlands and Finland. Last year’s Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup Troutbeck runner-up Marit Van Den Berg is back, hoping to repeat her podium finish. “It’s nice to be back, and I’m going to try and finish second or first,” Van Den Berg said, acknowledging that the small field makes the race even more challenging.
Her countrymate Rachel Klamer is equally confident, hoping to capitalize on the numerical dominance of Dutch athletes in the field. “I hope so,” Klamer said. “It’s a beautiful place here, and it’s very organized, but the altitude makes it hard. We have all ever raced, but it also makes it interesting because the circumstances are so different.”
Finland’s Henrik Parviainen, meanwhile, is looking to make a strong start to her season, saying, “I will just do my best and see what I have to do – that’s the plan.” Japan’s Minori Ikeno is eyeing a podium finish, while Morocco’s Nora Nouri, at just 21 years old, is the youngest elite woman athlete in the field.
As the elite women take to the course at the Nyanga resort today, all eyes will be on these talented athletes as they battle it out for top honours in what promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable race.
