BSG Multisport

The final event of South Africa’s biggest triathlon series, the BSG Energade TriSeries, took on the 4^th of December in Vanderbijlpark. The 2011 BSG Energade TriSeries was more popular than ever with almost 6000 race participants competing in 7 events that took place across the country during October, November and December.

The 2011 BSG Energade TriSeries offered opportunities for both professional and amateur athletes to shine in their individual categories; and offered corporates, tertiary institutions and schools the chance to engage in friendly competition with their rivals. The Series is also perfectly positioned to act as a fun and accessible introduction for many “first-timers” to the sport of triathlon.

Competitors at the final event, which took place at Emerald Casino in Vanderbijlpark, were not only racing for podium positions, it was also their last opportunity to secure valuable points towards their overall finishing positions and a chance to win the Series Title in their categories. With just a few points separating several of the top contenders, the athletes gave it their all and spectators were treated to some very exciting finishes amongst the various age group categories.

Young Michael Pienaar took the gold in the Junior (15 – 19) category and was the fastest man in the Main Series with his time of 1:01:44.  Michael just beat Tiaan Rossouw (30 – 39 men’s age category) who crossed the finish line in time of 1:02:19. Tiaan was followed by Rob Stewart who finished just one second ahead of Wilhelm Steyn, with his time of 1:02:44, both men were racing in the 30 – 39 men’s age category.

The Junior (15 – 19) women proved to be the fastest competitors amongst the ladies in the Main Series with Mnandi Weber crossing the finish line in 1:10:59 followed by Charne Prinsloo in1:11:11 – both ladies racing in the Junior category. Minette Bell (30 – 39 age group) was third fastest lady across the finish line with a time of 1:11:56.

The future champions of triathlon are always an inspiration to watch, their passion and determination was evident in all three legs of the Kids’race. In the 12 – 15 age group, the boy’s race was won by Sidney James Engelbrecht, with a time of 0:30:08 and the unstoppable Robyn-Leigh Jones lead the girls across the finish line with a time of 0:32:00.

Once the prize giving for the final race of the 2011 BSG Energade TriSeries was complete, it was time to award the coveted overall Series Titles.In the Men’s Junior (age 15 – 19) category it was Michael Pienaar who claimed the Series Title trophy, with Russell Gaynor and Stuart Emslie taking the silver and bronze medals respectively. Mnandi Weber won the overall Series Title in the Ladies’ Junior (age 15 – 19) category. Charne Prinsloo claimed second place closely followed by Marlette Smit in third.

In the Men’s 20 – 29 age group the overall Series Title was won by Handre van Niekerk, with Casper Moodie in second and Daniel Retief in third. The competition was fierce in the Ladies’ 20 – 29 age group, but in the end it was Rentia Coetzee took the Series Title trophy followed by Karlien van Heerden and Nadia Packham-Thiessen, finishing in second and third position respectively.

Wilhelm Steyn, husband to overall Series Elite Ladies’ champion Andrea Steyn, took home the overall Series Title in the 30 – 39 Men’s age category. Joining Wilhelm on the podium were Tiaan Rossouw in second place and Ross Radford in third. All eyes were on Minette Bell who had a fantastic Series, coming first in the 30 – 39 Ladies’ age group in all of the races where she competed.  Minette took home the overall Series Title with Keri Swift in second place and Carna Kriel in third.

In the Veteran (40 – 49) Ladies’ category, it was Sue Peterkin who claimed the overall Series Title. In second position was Alison Lailvaux followed by Angela Taylor. Robert Davidson took home the Series Title trophy in the Veteran (40 – 49) Men’s category, with Dawie de Villiers taking home the silver medal and Mark Spencer with the bronze.

In the Masters 50+ Men’s category, Charles Naude finished the Series on a high note as he claimed the overall Series Title. Charles was joined on the podium by MC Wessels, finishing second and Endre Sparkes in third position. Lynette Fischer just beat out Carolyn Williamson overall Series Title in the Masters 50+ Ladies’ category, with Stephanie Claassen securing third place.

A favourite amongst the spectators is always the Kiddies Series, with the 12 – 15 age group competing in a timed event. After several close finishes throughout the Series, it was young Sidney James Engelbrecht who claimed the overall Series Title. Sidney was joined on the podium by fellow BSG team mate Nathan Le Roux who secured second place, with Yanich Strauss finishing in third. Winner of the overall Series Title in the girls’ race was Robyn-Leigh Jones who had a fantastic Series. Storm Smith and Clarissa Liebenberg finished in second and third place respectively.

The 2011 TriSeries Challenge was brought to you by the BSG Energade Triathlon Series in association with Discovery Vitality. Through the TriSeries Challenge schools, tertiary institutions and corporates had the opportunity to build team spirit within their organisation/institution and to compete to be the overall winners in each of the 3 categories.

After building a substantial lead early on in the Series, it was Deloitte who claimed the Top Corporate Title, they were followed by financial giants Standard Bank and Investec who finished in second and third position.  The University of Pretoria took the title in the Tertiary category, finishing with almost double the points of their nearest rival, the University of Witwatersrand, who came second; the University of Johannesburg finished in third position.

After some very intense competition in the School category between friendly rivals St Mary’s DSG and defending champions St Dunstan’s College, it was St Mary’s DSG who successfully claimed the overall Title. St Dunstan’s College finished in second place with Colin Mann School following in third.

The final standings of the 2011 TriSeries Challenge Leaderboards were:

School Challenge

Tertiary Challenge

Corporate Challenge

In this year’s TriSeries, race participants had the opportunity to race for a reason and raise funds for the LEAP Science and Maths school by using the BSG Multisport functionality to challenge their network of friends, colleagues and family to all pledge funds on their behalf. After completing the prize giving, BSG, in association with Discovery Vitality, proudly presented a cheque for R 50,000 to the principal of LEAP 3, Fadia Williams. This money will go towards ensuring that more of our children from disadvantaged backgrounds receive their birthright of a decent education which creates the possibility of a good matric and the potential for tertiary education. Race organisers look forward to raising even more money for this very worthy cause during the 2012 TriSeries.

Congratulations to all of the winners in the 2011 BSG Energade TriSeries – your energy, determination and passion for the sport is what makes the TriSeries such a resounding success, and we are looking forward to seeing all of you at the 2012 TriSeries which promises to be even better!