Please select a race report below:
Date Added: 18.08.2007
Dear Richard & Ugene
WOW !! That's how I have to start. The Palmiet Rapids are always adrenalin pumping for us.
All the rain we have had, made us worry a bit about the rapids and what was going to be in store for us on Saturday. All I can say is thanks Gravity guys for getting us through the rapids safely.
For the first time the guys and the mixed teams had a separate start this year, we only started at 8.30 which was a great time as is makes the start just a little warmer as we know we had that dreadful early morning swim across the river, but with starting further down from where we cross the river meant we had a bit more time to warm up with a running start. We started on time straight into a hard run, a swim across the Palmiet and back into a hard run then grabbing the croc's and setting off down river chasing two other teams, we managed to pass team BMC and after the last rapid Judgment Day I think the name says it all and my partner being flung half off the boat but managed to get straight back in without capsizing saved ourselves and passed team Cobra, who had been judged. We paddled hard to the transition, shouting all the way as we were still on an adrenalin high.
Just grabbing our bags, we headed off on the boardwalk for the start of our trail run shortly being joined by the two other mixed teams , we just could not shake them. Shortly after PC 3, my partner took a very bad tumble as one of the rocks just seemed to grab his toes and drag him down with one hell of blow to the ground, there I am thinking well last year it was me, know we are truly going to be in a bad way, but as fast as Russell fell, is as fast as he got up with a hobble and hobble we where off again, with a few choice words for the rock. We headed for P4 being under the bridge then through the residential area, unfortunately the two teams had just passed us as we where running towards PC5 by the Golf course. From there we were on my favourite single track feeling like a lion, but with the bruising of the fall starting to affect my partner we still managed a strong pace, but just could not go that extra gallop.
PC6 along the path came and went, then PC7 being the ruin which we must of run around in every direction before we found it, then another delay before we found PC 8 at the waterfall, then some great bush whacking down the river, we have the legs to show for it. PC9 was at the end of stream under the bridge. Then PC 10 being at the bridge, yes you guest right back into the water for a swim across and a kloof jump to get back on our legs and do the final kilometre sprint back to the finish. Yes we had a ball, we managed to hold our third place even though we had Lee-Ann hot on our heels with her partner, but we shook them at the kloof jump and the final sprint, even with Russell's crow feet wanting to cramp, I heard team Cobra Damon had the same problem.
Thanks Quantum for an absolute adrenalin pumping weekend, we had an absolute ball. One gripe with you Ugene, there is not enough events throughout the year in Cape Town. From being on such a high we are always left hanging until next year for the next Quac's. We loved the scenery and the mental challenges whether its being on the course or working with your team mate, each race always teaches you some lessons in life either about yourself, your limits, fears and sometimes when things don't go our way patience. These events in a large way is what keeps a lot of us Junkies sane, in our normal lives.
Thanks Thule - Richard for all the support throughout the year, we hope we represented Team Thule well.
We managed in the series to hold onto Second place overall.
WISH YOU ALL WELL.
Katarina Bova
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