ITU World Triathlon Series Cape Town 26-27 April

[JasonS]

Anyone know if there is a swim warm up area?

[@ndy]

Great race! The organisation could be improved but I hope this becomes an annual event.

[Red Zone]

In the words of Charles Dickens "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"

 

What an incredible venue and a fantastic course. There is something really special racing under the shadow of Table Mountain, the uniqueness of the harbour swim, the vibe at the waterfront and the support on the course was some of the best I have experienced.

 

Registration on race morning was a breeze, parking good in the waterfront which meant that getting my numbers on and transition spot sorted was pretty simple. The guys in transition were pretty helpful, but struggled to communicate with the athletes due to a lack of PA / loud-hailers, there was confusion with bike numbers (turned out to be none required) and the four arm bands, as well as entry and exit points. Bag and bike security was a worry, as there seemed to be a lack of control / interest, but I dont know if anything grew legs and walked. A bit of drizzle in transition was more of an irritation then anything else, but caused some jitters with the bike course getting wet, we knew that there were a few tight corners and lots of road markings which would make things a bit sketchy.

 

Transition sorted, we hiked down to the swim start, was a bit of chaos with some dudes not receiving their swim caps (those that registered on Fri) but these were collected as we went through to the holding area. There was something of a race briefing, a bit more confusion with the briefing contradicting some stuff in the rules, but anyway, was good to have Paul Kaye there to bring the gees. The best news of the day was that the swim was halved to 750 m due to the rest of the harbour being iced up. I decided on a warm up swim anyway, probably a good idea but it have an idea of how tough those Cape Fir Seals really are, holy cow it was colder than a Polar Bear's nose, a bit of hyperventilating later and some serious second thoughts I just decided to cut the warmup swim to about 30 m and headed for dry land. Perhaps my testicles will descend again, but just thinking of the harbour water again sends them north for the summer

 

The swim was a wet start, a bit tricky as there wasn't really enough dock for everyone to hold onto, but with a bit of a delay we were off. Cold, breath, cold, breath, cold, breath, cold, breath, cold, breath, and repeat. I dont know how Lewis Pugh does it, cold water is no fun at all, I just wanted to flop onto my back and do the backstroke of shame to keep my face warm for a bit, Comfort never arrived, and the return leg to the dock took forever, finally on dry land, I think around 12 mins for the swim.

 

Feet feeling like Ice, long run up to transition, rip the suit off, slam the lid on my pip and dash out, Hit the bike course like a government employee at 4pm on a friday. First lap goes by in a flash, averaging close to 40 km/h, a bit wet and slippery, launching into the speed bumps like a downhill skier. The wheel suckers starting to make their presence felt, looked back and saw a pack of around 5 guys on my wheel. This is not the elite race boys, bunch of shameless cheats, hope you get plagued by punctures for the rest of your racing lives. The drafting and traffic just got worse from there with more althetes coming on course. By the third lap it was a bit of a joke, riders everywhere, on the right, on the left, in the middle, passing was getting difficult and the guys sucking wheel were starting to really get on my nerves. Put the hammer down at 35 km and rode like a lion to transition, last 5 kms at over 45 km/h... I am starting to see the fun in a flat course. Finally free of the leaches trying to climb into my back pocket I enjoyed the last bit of the bike. 1:01 for the bike, not too shabby.

 

Out of the shoes, rack the bike, racing flats on and out onto the run course, realised almost immediately that I had overcooked it on the bike, it was going to be a slow tough run, a few aches and pains quickly told me that I had done an Ironman three weeks before and that I should only be doing this for "fun", my plan was just to catch the guy in front of me, and repeat, got myself dialed into the hurt zone and just kept it there, passed quite a few guys on the run and finished with a totally meaningless sprint. 45 mins for the run, not exactly Richard Murray but not too shabby by my standards.

 

Massage by Discovery was fantastic, unlimited Bos and a few cokes and I was feeling revived..

 

Bottom line, was one of the most fun events that I have done, really nice venue, good crowd, lekker vibe and good gees from the athletes. But I wont be back. The bike course is just a joke, the drafting really spoilt it for me. If they make the course a one or two lapper or make it draft legal I will be there like a bear, but it just wasn't safe.

 

Watching the elite race on Sunday was absolutely fantastic, was something really special to see our guys showing some serious heart and sole, Henri Schoeman, fantastic swim and bike, just lost it on the run, but to see him at the sharp end for most of the race was amazing. Then that RUN from Richard Murray, incredible, 3 mins / km to run himself up from the second group (around 15 places down) into 5th place. Biggest roar from the crowd was when Murray hit the blue carpet, something very special for him I am sure, certainly a great moment to remember.

[sluiper]

In the words of Charles Dickens "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"

...

 

Nice report.

 

Yes, the drafting was a problem, but I don't blame anyone for drafting. There were so many bikes on the course that it was almost impossible not to draft. The congestion was so bad that if you let one peloton pass you, you immediately got stuck in another one.

 

All the guys complaining about the water temperature should come and do a few open water swims from Clifton. The temperature was pretty normal for this time of year and I was quite disappointed that the swim was cut short. I'm not sure if they were expecting the water to magically warm up for the day?

 

The race communication was very poor and the fact that we don't even get splits is also a bit disappointing.

 

I'm not sure if I'll do this one again. Whilst it's pretty special to swim in the harbour, the bike course isn't safe and enforcing a non-drafting race is almost impossible.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

 

Watching the elite race on Sunday was absolutely fantastic, was something really special to see our guys showing some serious heart and sole, Henri Schoeman, fantastic swim and bike, just lost it on the run, but to see him at the sharp end for most of the race was amazing. Then that RUN from Richard Murray, incredible, 3 mins / km to run himself up from the second group (around 15 places down) into 5th place. Biggest roar from the crowd was when Murray hit the blue carpet, something very special for him I am sure, certainly a great moment to remember.

 

I must say I enjoyed the womans race a lot more than the mens, the run by Gwen Jorgenson was nothing short of incredible, I was hoping for a Helen Jenkins win as I think she is just such an incredibly talented, but such a humble athlete. However all power to Stimpson she was certainly the best on the day.

 

Gomez hardly looked as if he was racing and looked as if he was more out for a hard training stint, I think he still had a lot in the bag at the end.

[Shebeen]

Where did I complain about fees? or for that matter criticize those who did enter?Try reading - I said I would be paying R1k to run 4 circles in a area where I do most of my training. ie it would be relatively boring and imo very congested.

 

I am going to watch and was going to offer you to buy you a beer, maybe even a craft beer if you behave. Im sure you have always wondered what they taste like

Must be damn close to asphyxiation on that high horse you're on. Nice attempted backtrack, of course I'm shocked that you would be commenting on a race you aren't even entered in.

 

Great move taking on a guy called shebeen over beer. If this is was a game, you lost.

[Red Zone]

Nice report.

 

Yes, the drafting was a problem, but I don't blame anyone for drafting. There were so many bikes on the course that it was almost impossible not to draft. The congestion was so bad that if you let one peloton pass you, you immediately got stuck in another one.

 

All the guys complaining about the water temperature should come and do a few open water swims from Clifton. The temperature was pretty normal for this time of year and I was quite disappointed that the swim was cut short. I'm not sure if they were expecting the water to magically warm up for the day?

 

The race communication was very poor and the fact that we don't even get splits is also a bit disappointing.

 

I'm not sure if I'll do this one again. Whilst it's pretty special to swim in the harbour, the bike course isn't safe and enforcing a non-drafting race is almost impossible.

I got splits on my finisher certificate, but no swim split, you can get your certificate on the race photograph site.

 

Perhaps I need to come and swim Clifton a few times next season, might toughen me up a bit for cold water swims

[Shebeen]

All the guys complaining about the water temperature should come and do a few open water swims from Clifton. The temperature was pretty normal for this time of year and I was quite disappointed that the swim was cut short. I'm not sure if they were expecting the water to magically warm up for the day?

I think 11 is a bit on the low end of expectations, we had a warm spell about two weeks ago, so they probably did get a bit caught out.

 

I'm no expert, but my wife is one of those crazies who likes to swim in the cold(says she's retired now, got soft) - robben island to blouberg is normally done on the freedom day holiday/april 27th, and I can't remember it ever being that cold from memory(they would probably can it at that level, about 14 is the lowest they would probably do it in).

[JGR]

Must be damn close to asphyxiation on that high horse you're on. Nice attempted backtrack, of course I'm shocked that you would be commenting on a race you aren't even entered in.

 

Great move taking on a guy called shebeen over beer. If this is was a game, you lost.

How old are you? like 5? I said I was going to buy you a beer but I guess in your mind that meant freedbies and your eyes lit up .

 

Attempted backtrack on what??? All is there to read troll. I said I might not do the race because I think 4 laps in an area where I train will be boring (for me) and congested (imo). I had an entry but didn't use it has my car was broken into on the morning so the decision didn't even need to be made. It had nothing to do with money little man

 

The difference between you and I and commenting is I actually do triathlon and provide positive contributions and don't come here to troll and criticize people on how they choose to spend there money (because you cant afford it). Im embarrassed for you, truly. When you meet hubbers aren't you embarrassed by the stupid things you write?

Edited April 29, 2014 by JGR

[Red Zone]

JGR & Shebeen, please just end it here and now or take it elsewhere, its not doing either of you any favours. Try to ignore the urge to have the last word

[JGR]

JGR & Shebeen, please just end it here and now or take it elsewhere, its not doing either of you any favours. Try to ignore the urge to have the last word

Would love to be left alone - I can not help this guy follows me from thread to thread. It extents outside of the tri threads as well. Its all there. I get attacked out of the blue for no apparent reason.

Edited April 29, 2014 by JGR

[Red Zone]

Would love to be left alone - I can not help this guy follows me from thread to thread. It extents outside of the tri threads as well. Its all there. I get attacked out of the blue for no apparent reason.

Just block him. I found it makes the Hub a far nicer place to never have to see posts from certain types ever again

[Foxbat]

Drove down from PE for this race. Was very skeptical about it because of all the negative reports. At the end of the day I really had a good race and enjoyed it. Lots to still be sorted out as mentioned in previous post but I think it will only get better. Ill be back for sure.

[sluiper]

I think 11 is a bit on the low end of expectations, we had a warm spell about two weeks ago, so they probably did get a bit caught out.

 

I'm no expert, but my wife is one of those crazies who likes to swim in the cold(says she's retired now, got soft) - robben island to blouberg is normally done on the freedom day holiday/april 27th, and I can't remember it ever being that cold from memory(they would probably can it at that level, about 14 is the lowest they would probably do it in).

 

I was told the temperature was clocked at 13 on the day, which is pretty normal from my experience. 11 would be on the low side, but still manageable.

 

I stand to be corrected, but I have been told by a few guys that have done the Freedom Swim that the temperature was 11 degrees 3 years ago.

 

Perhaps I need to come and swim Clifton a few times next season, might toughen me up a bit for cold water swims

 

Definitely toughened me up. On my first swim there I thought I was going to die from the cold and now I'm considering losing the wetsuit and going with only a Speedo

 

It's also great training for the Ironman. The conditions are almost always tougher than those you'd experience at the Ironman, so when the time comes you're so relaxed about open water swimming that the swim doesn't bother you at all.

[davem]

Watched from the side lines and think this race has a lot to offer.

 

Saw quite a few unhappy people because they did not know what to do. The race organisers left a lot of stuff to the last minute. Given that probably a large number of newbies to triathlon, this was not good.

 

Was at transition exit when the first AGers were coming back from the ride with others still going out. Inadequate instruction to the marshalls meant that the two streams of cyclists were crossing over each other. Some very scary moments with some near miss head ons. Fortunately sense prevailed quite quickly and the flows were worked out.

 

Was very cool to see the elite ladies up so close. Some of them are tiny.

 

Watching the race later on TV was even more spectacular. Certainly came across brilliantly on screen. Magnificent advert for CT.

 

I believe it is a seven year hosting deal so they will get a chance to iron out the bugs before next year.

 

Now I have a year to pluck up the courage to swim in that water. Eish.

[Shebeen]

I was told the temperature was clocked at 13 on the day, which is pretty normal from my experience. 11 would be on the low side, but still manageable.

 

I stand to be corrected, but I have been told by a few guys that have done the Freedom Swim that the temperature was 11 degrees 3 years ago.

 

Could well be true, remember that the freedom swim is non wetsuit (there are some who swim wetsuit, but don't think you get a medal). Gets me cold just thinking about it!

 

I still wonder why there's no sort of windguru forecast/reporting system for sea temp (maybe there is) - data must be available somewhere.