Rabie dominates women's field, DeVilliers repeats

Yasmine Hammamet, Tunisia (March 8, 2008) - South Africa dominated today's ATU African Triathlon Championships in Tunisia and guarantees the country at least one representative in the men's and women's triathlon competitions at this summer's Beijing Olympic Games. Mari Rabie and Hendrik DeVilliers, who were both crowned South African national champions last month, showed their strong form again by taking gold at the African continental championships.

The women's race was an expected battle between Rabie and two-time defending champion Kate Roberts, also of South Africa, and the two women set the pace early. Rabie exited the water first, with Roberts just eight seconds behind. But out onto the bike course, the stronger cyclist Rabie pulled away, putting distance between her and Roberts. She didn't let up on the run, posting the fastest run split of the day and cruised to the African Championships victory by three full minutes. Roberts held on for silver while Corinne Berg took the bronze as the third African athlete across the line, making it a complete South African sweep of the podium. It was another decisive victory for the in-form Rabie who will head into the BG Triathlon World Cup season opener in just three weeks riding a wave of momentum.

"To come back from a really bad season last year, I'm really happy with how things are going," said Rabie. "I'm much more focused and relaxed than last year and I think that's the difference and you can see it in my racing."

The victory assures South Africa at least one Olympic spot but it does not guarantee that spot will go to Rabie. Selection to South Africa's Olympic team is discretionary. In ITU's current Olympic rankings, both Rabie and Roberts are ranked high enough to earn South Africa two Olympic spots for the women. If both decline in the Olympics rankings, South Africa would still retain at least one Olympic spot by virtue of Rabie's win today.

2008 Yasmine Hammamet ATU Triathlon African Championships, Tunisia
Elite Women - Final Results
1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
African Champion - Mari Rabie (RSA) 2:04:02
Silver - Kate Roberts (RSA) 2:07:03
3rd - Beatrice Lanza (ITA) 2:07:34
Bronze - Corinne Berg (RSA) 2:08:04
*Note: Although elites from any country may race for prize money, only athletes from Africa may earn ITU points and podium awards. As the third African across the line, Corinne Berg is the bronze medalist
Click here for full field results

In the men's field, all eyes were on defending champion Hendrik DeVilliers. He emerged from the water first but did not own much of a lead with Kent Horner and Italian Emilio D'Aquino right behind him. On the 40-kilometer bike course, Frenchman Toumy Degham rode back into contention with the fastest bike split of the day. It came down to a dual on the run course between DeVilliers and his compatriot Erhard Wolfaardt. Despite hammering out the fastest run among the men, Wolfaardt didn't have enough to overtake DeVilliers who broke the tape for his second straight African title. Wolfaardt took the silver just ten seconds behind while Degham came across third. However, as a non-African athlete, Degham was not eligible for a spot on the podium. Horner was the bronze medalist as the third African athlete across the line.

Like the women, South Africa is assured at least one men's Olympic spot. However, as no individual is allowed to earn their country more than one Olympic spot, DeVilliers' win may raise some questions as he is almost certain to earn South Africa a spot anyway purely based on his own Olympic ranking. Nevertheless, it's a big win for DeVilliers as the BG Triathlon World Cup series kicks off later this month in Australia.

2008 Yasmine Hammamet ATU Triathlon African Championships, Tunisia
Elite Men - Final Results
1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
African Champion - Hendrik DeVilliers (RSA) 01:50:54
Silver - Erhard Wolfaardt (RSA) 01:51:04
3rd - Toumy Degham (FRA) 1:51:15
Bronze - Kent Horner (RSA) 1:53:00
*Note: Although elites from any country may race for prize money, only athletes from Africa may earn ITU points and podium awards. As the third African across the line, Kent Horner is the bronze medalist
Click here for full field results

The 2008 ATU African Triathlon Championships marks the first ITU-sanctioned race ever staged in Tunisia. The country is the newest addition to the ITU family after becoming affiliated in 2007, the tenth African National Federation with ITU. The elite contests highlight a busy week at the ATU Triathlon African Championships. Earlier in the week ITU held various courses including level 1 officials and coaches clinics as part of its ongoing support to develop triathlon in Africa.

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