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Paul Munyuki in NYANGA
THE Schweppes Troutbeck Triathlon Africa Cup gets underway here this morning, with South Africans dominating the entry list in both the men’s and women’s competition. Hosts Zimbabwe will be represented by Linda Rousseau in the women’s elite competition that has three South Africans — Cindy Schwulst, Joddie Berry and Charne Prinsloo, while Mauritian Fabinne St Louis completes the list.

There are no male participants representing the hosts in the men’s elite race where four South Africans (Wian Sullwald, Wikus Webber, Travis Johnstone and Jacobus Kruger), a Brazilian (Eduardo Lass), one Namibian (Drikus Coetzee) and Omar Nour from Egypt are competing in.

There is also the duo of Bob Haller and Neil Peters from Luxembourg and Tomas Svoboda from the Czech Republic to complete the 12-man race.

Haller feels that he can come out with a podium finish, but believes it’s not going to be an easy race for him given the quality of sportsmen fighting for honours.

“It’s going to be a tough race; I am aware that there are other top athletes whom I respect here and I know it is not going to be an easy affair.

“There are the likes of Neil (Peters), Wikus Weber, who is ranked second here and I am looking forward to the competition tomorrow (today) and am also hoping for a podium finish,” said Holler.

The race will start at 7am, with the women’s race, junior men and women taking to the course at around 9:30 am, while the final race — the elite women’s race — will start at 12.35pm.

However, for Neil it’s not about how he is going to start the race, but how and when he will cross the finishing line.

“I have gone around to check how the course looks. It’s certainly a tough one, especially because there are a lot of up-hills and I hope that it will not rain tomorrow (today) because the descend can get dangerous when the track is wet.

“It’s going to be challenging because of the other tough competitors here, but I have to get a top three finish.

“I will have to make sure I work hard on the bike and swim because I am not a good runner, running is not my strongest ability,” said Neil.