Owen Middleton sent me this great photo from the Cape Point Challenge. Check out www.owenm.smugmug.com/events for more great shots.

That was a proper Challenge! Well done to all those who finished, as it was surely one of the tougher one’s in recent history. Pete Cole had to make the call to start in Simon’s Town, as the NSRI safety boats were battling to get to the Point in the wind and swell. So we started at Longbeach, Simon’s Town, and paddled to Buffel’s, where we ran around a flag on the beach, and then headed out for the final 5km of Head Wind to a marker buoy at Cape Point, then home in the fading Down wind to Fish Hoek Beach. 50km in total.

Team Plett checking out the start the day before

The Head Wind section was hhhard! The wind was relentless, and when I looked at my GPS and saw 7min/km pace, I realised we were in for a long day! It got better as we approached a more protected part of the Peninsula, to my relief. The part past Smitswinkels Bay was very bumpy, but at least there was the possibility of catching some small rebounds there. unfortunately Buffels claimed a few broken rudders, and DNF’s.

The last 5km to the Point were not my strongest, and I started feeling sea-sick. When we finally turned for the home stretch, the wind actually died a bit, but the leftover runs were pretty fun. I was super happy to go past the Lighthouse as I knew I had 5km to go! Broken is an understatement, but pumped to win my 2nd Cape point Challenge in a row, and narrowly missing out on a Top 20 finish by a minute and a half, ending up 21st Overall.

Great organisation by Pete Cole and his team at the Life Saving Club. This is definately one of the Ultra’s you have to put on your Bucket List.

Nicky & Janine stoked with their medals! Well done!

I am back in Plett, looking forward to some down time. Lots of very exciting things on the cards for 2010. I am so pumped for what’s to come, both on the racing front and on the development side. Watch this space!!

Team Oos Kaap rocking the Brass Bell

Training paddle in Dubai

The race went well. I managed to avoid all the flu/colds circulating our house, and felt really well rested come race day.

Had an average start, and made a call to back off from the Hotspot and to wait for the downwind section to make my mark on the race. Managed to get a small gap as we started the down wind bit, then just concentrated on stringing the runs together. I took quite a deep line, hoping to get the benefit later on in the race, but the wind kind of died halfway, leaving me a bit deep. I thought I could see Jasmin to my right, but it was hard to tell as there were many men’s boats all over the place.

When I got to the entrance to the Marina, I had no idea if I was in 1st, and the last 600m of flat were a bit nerve-wrecking as I couldn’t see any of the others. There were a bunch of guys I felt I should be ahead of that took the shallower line, so I really think I messed that up a bit. I did win however, with Jasmin in 2nd and Katie in 3rd.

I didn’t win Surfski.info’s World Series however, even though I won every race I entered this year! There were a number of changes to the race’s nominated to be Series Races at the beginning of the season, and I had made plans according to the original star ratings… Anyhow…

As I got back, I drove down to Cape Town to do the Daniel Conradie Memorial race. Daniel was my mentor, and I wish he was alive today to see what I have achieved thanks to him getting me to start paddling! I think he would be very proud, especially of the Olympic final and Marathon medal! His race was part of the 2 day Peninsular Marathon. On the 2nd day we got to paddle around Robben Island, which is always an unbelievable experience! I won the event, and became the 1st woman to make A Grade in the Discovery/Men’s Health Surf Ski Series (on both days)!

Last race of the year is the Cape Point Challenge on the 19th, haven’t done much long distance for it, but we’ll hope for the best!!

New Nelo Ski

After the race, I went to see The Killers concert! Wow, it was awesome! Now I am back in Plett, with less than 2 weeks until the Cape Point Challenge!!

Waiting for the start now, shew it’s hot already. Really hope the wind is going to blow!

Check www.surfski.info for live commentary.

Shew, hard race! Very technical, great runs, but veeeerrrrry technical.

Had a good day out, felt comfortable on the runs, just got very cold at the start (didn’t pack any thermals), and it came back to bite me later on, as I started cramping with 5km’s to go. The last 5km were really hard, as I got to the Kissing Whale’s first, but with not too much of a lead, and I was convinced that Ruth and Katie were going to catch me. Managed to hang on to 1st, very stoked to win here in Hong Kong again.

Aussies took 1st – 3rd in the men’s race, with Lightee in 4th and Dawid in 5th.

This is definately a race not too miss. Great organisation, fanastic course, hospitality of note, and … shopping for Africa

Will try get hold of some photo’s soon.

Went to Kowloon today, hectic! 5 hours of serious bargaining, shopping, and trying to walk at the same time as more 50 000 other people. Good times!

Photo of the women’s clinic here in Stanley.

It was beeeg. Sorry this post is late. Going to let the pictures do the talking…

I arrived in Hong Kong last night, after 3 flights, and a 200km drive. Eish, travelling from Plett adds a bit of time to anything But worth it to be living there at this moment.

Stayed with Rene and Babs last night, Rene treated us to a whole bunch of different Dutch cheeses. After a lie in, we made our way to Stanley, to the Sea School to move into our new accomodation with Bill the principle. It is freezing here, like 10 degrees. Much to my surprise after last year’s heat, and to the surprise of my packing skills, and very light and therefore empty bag… Perfect excuse to go past Stanley Market and SHOP for a warm top…

Some Chinese food for lunch (no chicken feet this time), and a fun paddle, and now I can feel that time difference setting in  

Map of race course below, good winds predicted… See http://www.thedragonrun.com.hk/ for the race website.

Spent the last week in Cape Town, stayed with good friend Megan Kelly (see www.holisticvet.co.za ). The wind blew, as it always does. Although on my first training paddle with the boys, it didn’t blow at all, making the 30 odd km’s seem more like 40 odd! Great to meet with old friends, I also forgot how beautiful CT is.

The plan was to get some solid training in, with an increase in intensity, as well as 2 races of the Discovery/Men’s Health CT Series.

Photo by Justin Vellacot/Gameplan Media

Both races went well, the first being a 3 lap affair in Fish Hoek, with some headwind, downwind, and 9 surf turns! Great fun! The second was an epic from Fish Hoek to Buffel’s Point in the Cape Point Nature Reserve, held in a seriously strong NW. The above picture is of the 3 lap Race in Fish Hoek.

Surprised with my fitness levels after only 2 weeks of training (or relieved ) Back in Plett now, with one more week of prep before the Knysna Sedgefield race, and then off to Hong Kong and Dubai. Not much time to train this year, going to have to rely on some great race tactics…

One week done, many more to go…

Summer is approaching, and the extra light hours are making getting up early a real treat. Low tides have made for some classic beach runs, and Bongo seems to be coping with the longer distances better:) Strength training has left me a lot more stiff and sore than usual, maybe that comes with turning 30? Otherwise, thoroughly enjoying being back on the water.

First ski session on Saturday, and there were at least 5 Southern Right Whales along the way, and then again, was within 50m of them on the beach run. Bongo kept stopping every time they would bellow out, and look at the sea. Not sure if he could see them, or if he just didn’t know what was making that noise.

On the Keurbooms River, which has been glassy (Yes Glassy Robbie-no wind )I spotted a troop of baboons on the bank, and the Fish Eagle was guarding his valley as usual. I am so lucky to be able to train here. Now just need to get the body to agree!