Reigning XTERRA South Africa Champion Bradley Weiss is hoping to get his 2019 XTERRA Racing Season off to a good start with a victory (and successful title defence) at the XTERRA South Africa Championship at the Elgin Grabouw Country Club this coming Sunday, 24 February 2019.
“My 2018 XTERRA highlights include winning the XTERRA SA Championship, XTERRA Asia Pacific Championship as well as the XTERRA European Championship,” admits Weiss. “No one has ever held all three titles in the same calendar year. I am very proud of this achievement. I have not yet finalized my 2019 racing schedule, but I will start the season with the XTERRA SA Championship, and then head to Europe for a mix of Ironman 70.3 and XTERRA races finishing up with the XTERRA European Championship in the Czech Republic and hopefully (if I qualify) the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Nice (France). Of course the XTERRA World Championship in October in Maui will always be my main goal to finish off the season on a high.”
“The XTERRA Grabouw course is one of my favourites,” continues Weiss. “With the venue being so close to home (Stellenbosch) I am able to gain maximum advantage by training on the course weeks prior to the event. I feel like I know the area so well and each year I feel more comfortable and confident. For me it is the home of XTERRA and the place which holds my most precious memories when reflecting on my XTERRA career to date. My goal is always to win especially on home soil!”
“I would absolutely recommend XTERRA Grabouw to all athletes,” confirms Weiss. “If you consider yourself a true multi-sport athlete XTERRA Grabouw has to be at the top of your ‘to do’ list. From a breath-taking swimming location you summit one of the most picturesque mountain bike routes on the XTERRA circuit followed by adrenaline filled descents through treacherous rock gardens and finishing with a brutal yet stunning 10km trail run. It surprises and impresses me each year and makes me proud of my XTERRA roots!”
The XTERRA South Africa Championship has also attracted the attention of: Vicky van der Merwe (Stellenbosch), Michael Ferreira (Johannesburg), Cameron MacNair (Johannesburg) and Ruan van Zyl (Pretoria).
“XTERRA has such an awesome vibe, I just love it,” says van der Merwe, owner of the Stellenbosch Triathlon Squad (STS). “My goal is to podium in the women’s elite race. In 2018 we entered close to 70 athletes from STS. We are training hard for XTERRA and cannot wait to be back.”
“I started competing in XTERRA as a junior in 2014, racing the XTERRA Lite to qualify for the ITU Junior World Championship,” says Ferreira. “Although I have participated in many road events, my true passion lies off-road and XTERRA never disappoints. There is no race in South Africa that can compare to XTERRA Grabouw. The scenery, the course, the athletes are all top class. It’s the one race on the calendar that I have not missed for the past five years.”
According to MacNair, it was Michael Ferreira who recommended that he tries XTERRA. “I have not looked back,” says MacNair. “I really enjoy the family vibe. When the gun goes off it’s full on racing, but once you cross the finish line everyone is back to being friends and the family vibe continues. My goal on the day will be to have as much fun as I can when I race and try get into the Top 5 overall.”
“The sport of XTERRA has so many factors,” says van Zyl. “It encourages a healthy lifestyle, features healthy competition, introduces me to new people and allows me to improve on a daily basis. With XTERRA Grabouw being the biggest XTERRA in the world, there are a lot of lessons to learn within the race. Having it in South Africa just makes it more special as we are able to share our beautiful country with XTERRA athletes from all over the world.”
Junior adventure seekers can experience the action of the largest XTERRA in the world by signing up for the XTERRA Kids Race on Saturday, 23 February 2019.
“The XTERRA Kids Race is always the source of much excitement,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director Stillwater Sports. “It is heartwarming to see moms, dads, grandparents and siblings supporting the junior XTERRA warriors from start to finish. The XTERRA Kids Race will be hosted on the Saturday after the XTERRA Lite which means junior XTERRA Warriors (whose parents are taking part in the XTERRA Lite) will get to watch mom and dad in action before experiencing the fun themselves. We look forward to hosting two fun-filled days for the entire family out in Grabouw.”