South Africa dominated Saturday’s ATU
African Triathlon Championships in Tunisia, and guarantees the country
at least one representative in the men’s and women’s triathlon competitions at
this summer’s Beijing Olympic Games, depending on the .
Mari Rabie and Hendrik de Villiers, who were
both crowned South African national champions last month, showed their strong
form again by taking gold at the African continental championships.
The women’s race was an expected battle between
Rabie and two-time defending champion Kate Roberts, also of South Africa, and
the two women set the pace early. Rabie exited the water first, with Roberts
just eight seconds behind.
But out onto the bike course, the stronger
cyclist Rabie pulled away, putting distance between her and Roberts. She didn’t
let up on the run, posting the fastest run split of the day and cruised to the
African Championships victory by three full minutes.
Roberts held on for silver while Corinne Berg
took the bronze as the third African athlete across the line, making it a
complete South African sweep of the podium. It was another decisive victory for
the in-form Rabie who will head into the BG Triathlon World Cup season opener
in just three weeks riding a wave of momentum.
"To come back from a really bad season
last year, I’m really happy with how things are going," said Rabie. "I’m
much more focused and relaxed than last year and I think that’s the difference
and you can see it in my racing."
The victory assures South Africa at least one Olympic
spot but it does not guarantee that spot will go to Rabie. Selection to South Africa’s
Olympic team is discretionary. In ITU’s current Olympic rankings, both Rabie
and Roberts are ranked high enough to earn South Africa two Olympic spots for
the women.
If both decline in the Olympics rankings, South Africa
would still retain at least one Olympic spot by virtue of Rabie’s win today.
Women’s Final Results at the 2008 Yasmine
Hammamet ATU Triathlon African Championships, in Tunisia (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run):
1. Mari Rabie (RSA) 2:04:02
2. Kate Roberts (RSA) 2:07:03
3. Corinne Berg (RSA) 2:08:04
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