Alani Ferreira braved the tricky conditions making her way across the dam to emerge as the women’s winner in the visually impaired category, on the first day of racing at the aQuellé Midmar Mile, in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday, 10 February, 2024.
Ferreira and her guide Mikaela Goelst completed the swim across choppy water in 26:30.
“That was the roughest Midmar I’ve ever done. The waves were literally like the ocean, so my guide had a really tough job, but she really did her best even in the rough conditions, and I enjoyed it anyway – I love a challenge!”
Two-Times Paralympian, 2024 Visually Impaired Midmar Champ, Alani Ferreira
Meanwhile, thrilled to have finished her second aQuellé Midmar Mile was Luyanda Shandu. The 15-year-old from Pietermaritzburg is one of the Chad le Clos Foundation development swimmers, from Seals Swimming Club.
“On the first 400m it was pretty rough, and I think after the first two 400m points, the current just got heavier and heavier,” she said. “The water was pushing me, and I tried to kick and it wasn’t working, but we managed.”
Speaking about having former Olympic champion Le Clos working with her group of swimmers at the end of last year, Shandu added. “It was pretty amazing getting a point of view from someone who has experienced everything you want to do.”
Click here to open the MidMar Mile website for more information
Main Photo Caption: Alani Ferreira braved the big waves and tricky conditions to emerge as the women’s winner in the visually impaired category, on the first day of racing at the aQuellé Midmar Mile, in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday, 10 February, 2024. Photo: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Pictured with her mom Ntobeko, 15-year-old from Pietermaritzburg and Chad le Clos Foundation development swimmer Luyanda Shandu celebrates finishing her second aQuellé Midmar Mile. Photo: Supplied
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